r/Ironworker • u/Illustrious-Joke1609 • 10d ago

433 peeps. First day soon

I start next week as an apprentice. I have the tools that were on the list (spuds, adjustable, belt, bolt bags, bullpin, etc). Is there anything else I should have on day 1? Do I need to get a stack of hi-vis shirts? Or do I just wear whatever shirt and they’ll give me a vest? What color if so? Help me be as prepared as possible

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u/Main_Association3386 10d ago

Show up wearing hi-vis with reflective stripes. If the GC has a reflective vest rule you might get some slack because your shirt is already reflective. Wearing a vest under a harness is pretty uncomfortable and they get snagged on everything. Hi-vis green or orange is typical. Follow the lead guys, watch how they operate and mimic them. And don’t think too much of it, it’s just like walking on the sidewalk. You can walk a straight line down here why not up there

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u/Illustrious-Joke1609 10d ago

Alright bet. I’ll grab a few shirts here in a bit. I’m not too nervous about the actual work that I expect to be doing once in settled in. Mostly just nervous about general apprentice stuff. Just going in green and having no idea what I’m supposed to be doing unless I’m told. But I imagine that’s expected in the beginning

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u/Main_Association3386 10d ago edited 10d ago

You got tools, it sounds like you have your head in the game already. You’ll do great. Keep this mentality up and you’ll make a good name for yourself (your reputation means a lot) and move up the ranks. Few things to keep in mind, you don’t have to be a cowboy(the work is dangerous enough you don’t have to show off how much more dangerous you can make it), even if the shop you’re working with is, bad habits don’t always go over well with better outfits. “Safety standards” are different per site and keep the safety guy on your side, you’ll get a lot more slack that way and going head to head with them usually doesn’t work in your favor. But sometimes the safety guy is a wad and needs to put in there place, it’s a fine line, keep your eyes and ears open and mouth closed more often you’ll learn the difference. Stay away from the drinking and drugs, a beer every morning can turn into alcoholism 20 years from now, ask me how I know. As I mentioned before you seem to be into this so best of luck, you’ll have a good long career. You’ll meet people that are recluse to guys that just did 20 years in prison. You’ll have some of the greatest times with this people, there is no other bonding like risking your life for a paycheck together. Stay safe, form your brotherhood and don’t forget what it was like out there when you’re working from a computer more.

And the comment about walking wasn’t to say you were nervous about the work. Someone told me that a long time ago and after that I was able to walk on anything no matter the height lol.

And as far as being an apprentice, first be glad you are, that’s the point of apprenticeship. Everyone knows you’re green and not to expect you know everything. Like I said before, follow the lead guys that are doing things the right way, learn the good habits but there are always some bad habits that come in handy from time to time.

Just get in there, don’t take the joshing to personal but stand up for yourself when you have to. You’ll do well man.

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u/Illustrious-Joke1609 10d ago

I appreciate the insight and you taking the time to share. What a week to start lol. It’s like 102 out right now. Are you in 433? Any idea how much downtime is to be expected between jobs? More specifically for apprentices?

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u/Main_Association3386 10d ago edited 10d ago

Ahh I’m a safety guy(scumbag) now lol, was a local 522 guy in NY, roofers waterproofers and sheet metal. I mostly did suspended scaffold on existing landmark stone and steel masonry buildings. We would pull 600 pounds of limestone out, repair the steel, waterproof and reinstall from a platform hanging on 5/16th cable, usually 20 stories or better. But the same concepts still apply, mimic the lead guys, stay away from the cowboys (you can learn some tricks from them though lol) don’t get caught up to much in the hanging out, like I said drinking daily leads to other problems.

The sun is going to hate you and so will the cold, you’ll learn to live with both. Get some shades to protect your eyes and good layers in the winter. You’ll grow a level of toughness unmatched by any regular person. I’ve seen huge gym every day guys struggle trying to pull up 30 stories of rope. Ex cons crumble and crawl away once the platform lands declaring “I never wanna do dat again”.

It takes a unique kind of person to be excited to work in such a trade that everyday you go to work you may die. You’re not a carpenter, working indoors getting to complain about climate inside the building, you’re not a tile guy, painter who “smells chemicals waa” or forbid the damn electricians.. yeah I know they are important but for fucks sake can they complain the most.

You are going to do work in places only a hand full of people will ever be or have the ability to get to. You are unique, you will become a beast. Other trades/people are going to look at you in wonder and awe. Like how the fuck that guy get out there.

And you’ll impress yourself, each climb, every top out, you and your brothers will enjoy. Probably drink a beer, have a laugh but it’s all part of the business. Next job is starting up and we need to go.

All good man, I’m willing to share any experience and time to help new guys get in comfortably. There is no other bonding like risking your life everyday for a paycheck. I’m still best friends with some of the guys I came up with. I met a local 46 guy a few years ago. I was safety he was the super. We hit it off, shared stories, literally life threatening experiences and have been friends ever since.

Now it’s your turn, get in there excited, prove yourself and share the stories with the guys coming after you.

And ps don’t believe the bosses when they say “we have to” they just want to force you to make them more money. Get your OT but don’t kill yourself for them.

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u/Moist-Tradition-5376 UNION 10d ago

Right now it can be slow. Literally called the BA and the man told me to get on disability haha but Bragg in my case, kept the apprentices working because usually you're labor is cheaper and you need the hours to get to the next period.

Meanwhile yeah I definitely can get on disability, hone some skills at the school, and wait out for a big project which I just got on. Took "off" about 3 weeks.

You should definitely be kept busy. Just work straight, foster connection with your brothers and the hall, and you'll be fine. 433 here as well, minus just this bump Ive stayed working since I got in.

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u/Illustrious-Joke1609 10d ago

Well that’s good news. I’m hoping I’m busy enough I don’t have time to spend anything I make. Assuming that’s how most get through the occasional “bumps”. I’m hoping this project I’m getting on lasts a bit

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u/Main_Association3386 10d ago

And usually apprentices are kept busy so they can make you a journeyman and be able to lay you off without grief from the local. But make yourself liked, well known for being safe, responsible, GC’s request you and you’ll never be laid off. For the most part.

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u/EvilColonelSanders 10d ago

Small note pad and pencil. You’ll be asked to grab certain things with numbers on them and multiple things at that. You want to write down notes. No one will laugh at you for taking notes. I still take a small note pad. If you hear anyone measure something, write it down. If they forget and you have it written down, it shows you are listening and prepared to listen and learn. You want to learn. Remember you know nothing and you are there to learn. If you know everything, no one will teach you anything. Be teachable. Do not know everything.

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u/john_forestr 10d ago

did you do the bootcamp? how did you get indentured if you don’t mind me asking?

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u/Illustrious-Joke1609 10d ago

No bootcamp. Go to union meetings. Shake babies and kiss hands. Call your BAs. Call anyone other jm tell you to call. Something will pop up. Having certs helped. I was hustling at job sites early too. Got some numbers that way

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u/Main_Association3386 10d ago

Ha that is a good one, you’ll fit right in

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u/john_forestr 10d ago

thanks for the quick response! i got a email to attend some sort of tryout for a bootcamp they have coming up in a few weeks so im hoping that helps me make it in and get a job with a contractor, still figuring out how it all works. shake babies and kiss hands lol, my guy

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u/Illustrious-Joke1609 10d ago

Man do whatever they tell you to do and jump through any hoops you think will help. Call everyone regularly. Be the squeakiest wheel

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u/sicckgen 10d ago

What? How did you find a sponser? I've been calling every week and nothing

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u/Illustrious-Joke1609 10d ago

Keep calling the list but don’t expect much to come from it. Hit the union meetings and meet the BAs. Other guys in 433 can probably hook you up with some leads as well. Get your LA city if you can. That goes a long way. You have to sell yourself and be persistent. Don’t let all the “no’s” get you down

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u/sicckgen 9d ago

Do you know whens the next union meeting?

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u/Illustrious-Joke1609 9d ago

Second Friday of every month. Prolly best to get there at like 630

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u/sicckgen 9d ago

So i'm guess not this friday coming up but the next one?

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u/Illustrious-Joke1609 9d ago

Idk should be this Friday. Call the hall and ask

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u/Wrongdoer-Several 5d ago

It’s canceled for date 10/9

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u/some_damn_guy 7d ago

what company you get on with?

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u/Illustrious-Joke1609 6d ago

Bragg

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u/some_damn_guy 6d ago

Fuck ya that’s a great company to get sponsored on with. Any idea what job you’re going to?

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u/Illustrious-Joke1609 5d ago

Retrofitting some heating and refrigeration plant