The question still remains: what to learn

Well, from today's Federal Budget, some suggestions:

Skills training is the centrepiece of the budget, the government promising to “transform” skills development with the Canada Job Grant, providing $15,000 or more to train welders, sheet metal fitters, plumbers — jobs that are crucial to a manufacturing sector the Harper government is trying to fuel.

Gosh, does that sound familiar?

Again, I'm not crapping on kids these days. These
kids are awesome:



Because they do stuff. Despite what your left-wing
schoolteachers might tell you, there is no shame in
being able to do things. Tell them to stop watching
reruns of the Jack Layton biopic on CBC.

Learn woodworking.
Learn to tile.
Learn to cut and bend and weld metal.
Learn to use a hacksaw and a file.
Learn to use a lathe and a vertical mill.
Learn to use AutoCad and a CNC machine.
Learn to drive a truck.
Learn to drive a forklift.
Learn to drive a bobcat.
Learn to operate a backhoe and a bulldozer.

The list is simply endless. Learn to do stuff.

Your welding ticket is a 7 week course. For 7 weeks of your time, that makes for a damn good backup. Trust me.

Edit - Was 7 weeks when I did it, 23 weeks seems to be the average now. Weird.

Your welding ticket is a 7 week course

Yes! Yes! Learn to weld!

Edit -- In another truly baffling thread here of questionable
utility, I had to dig up a picture of an aircraft doing a wheel
landing. Because of what it said on the side of the turtledeck
I just couldn't resist posting it here:



I would hazard a guess that this guy is a plumber, and his
airplane is financially sponsored by his plumbing company.

Now, I know that no one here would consider becoming a
plumber, but keep in mind that he has a very nice airplane
and you don't, so is his choice of vocation working for him?

Check your PM's

CS, for arguments sake, but would you try push your own kids toward a career in plumbing?

I taught my son plumbing (ABS, copper) when he
was 10 years old.

There's a nice young guy at the airport. Has more
money than anyone else. Started as a diesel mechanic,
now owns his own company. Self-made millionaire.

There is nothing wrong with having a lot of money
because you founded, own and operate a trades company.

BTyyj wrote:CS, for arguments sake, but would you try push your own kids toward a career in plumbing?

I would, if I'd have been wiser, I would have myself. I should have paid attention to my Dad.

I taught my son plumbing (ABS, copper) when he
was 10 years old.

Only two things you need to know to be a plumber:

1)Pay day is Friday.

2)Shit runs downhill.

It's far more complex than that: 3 things. Here is the third:

3) Cold is on the right

1)Pay day is Friday.

2)Shit runs downhill.

Colonel Sanders wrote:It's far more complex than that: 3 things. Here is the third:

3) Cold is on the right

4) Don't bite your finger nails.

My dad is a mechanic, he pushed me to do whatever I wanted. But I was gonna have at least a solid knowledge of a couple trades to fall back on. Didn't have to have a ticket, just the knowledge.

And it's paid dividends. If the flying thing doesn't go the way I want it, I'm perfectly comfortable with tools in my hand or running equipment.

Being a farm kid has it's advantage, despite the rest of society thumbing down their noses at anyone who doesn't wear a suit.

Colonel Sanders wrote:It's far more complex than that: 3 things. Here is the third:

3) Cold is on the right

From the ammount of plumbing jobs I've seen this one is clearly optional.

Just like flying and boats, All the small words go together!

Port - left - red - hot

Starboard - Right - green - cold

Colonel Sanders wrote:You really can't blame kids these days, though. They have
no role models. They were taught by left-wing schoolteachers
that have never had a real job.

I LOL'ed at this one as I am a school teacher myself.

CS, I'm curious to know what careers your kids are chasing, or would you like your kids to pursue a career in aviation?

Good question:

#1 is in 3rd year engineering with a double minor
in physics and math. Holds an SAC card, valid for
500 feet, solo and formation. 4th generation biplane pilot.
Not much of a stick compared to the self-proclaimed
golden arms here, I am sure.

#2 is in 2nd year of BFA (four year)

#3 is in grade 9, started IB program

#4 is in grade 8 (horses, horses, horses)

I would be disappointed and surprised if none of them
flew, rode motorcycles, etc.

I would be horrified if any of them chose aviation
as their vocation, for a plethora of reasons.

Colonel Sanders wrote:
#4 is in grade 8 (horses, horses, horses)

One of the few things out there that can rival aviation as an expensive fun. Good luck with that!

I would be horrified if any of them chose aviation
as their vocation, for a plethora of reasons.

There's worse things out there. You mean to say if one of them chose an airline career I think. There's a reasonable living to be made in some places in aviation.

Take what everyone says here with a grain of salt.

Everyone has their story. I think someone said it near the top, do what fits you best".

Dahspeers, you couldn't be more wrong on both counts. It is not only the big boys who place an emphasis on that degree or diploma. Smaller, regional airlines do too. And, many of us would like to be a "bus driver" as you state, only we call it a professional pilot.

zulutime wrote:you couldn't be more wrong on both counts....

More wrong?

http://youtu.be/F_1zoX5Ax9U?t=1m7s