Just talked to a fellow at an OReilly Auto Parts store, and you know how I like to talk.
Went to talking about bikes, and he said something like, with my passion, I would be more suitable working there than he is. That was close to his words. I had applied beforehand, but before I could get an interview, the manager had a meeting with upper management and suddenly decided that he was no longer in the position to hire. And yes, he was getting ready to hire, as he had somebody that was going to quit. Even had a hiring poster on the window.
He's gonna give his boss a note, and maybe he can talk him into hiring me. When I explained how fast my boss wants me to prepare the pizzas, he told me that if it were him, that would "get old fast" or something like that.
My job at the pizzeria is pretty relaxed in a way, but from what I've gathered, it's still rather demanding work for very little pay. You've got a point, gizzo. Some do make a career out of it. Doubtful it will be me. I just haven't adapted well. Not making a lot of progress compared to some of the others. Some do stay in fast food. There's an old fellow in his 60's that works there, and he's pretty good at some things for his age. Better than me. He's been there 4 years, at least, and he's been in the restaurant business for more than that. I pay alot of attention to detail and tend to lose focus. Maybe I'm too relaxed a guy for fast food. Seems like people get by in this business by not paying too much attention to detail. I don't know... Maybe I'm just OCD. I've been told that I work hard by at least one co-worker. Who knows? People say things. Can you always take their praise seriously?
I can say that a good mechanic pays attention to detail. If he doesn't, it could mean, thousands of dollars in destroyed parts or worse... injury/death. Forget to tighten one bolt, and something bad could happen. That's not saying I wouldn't be vulnerable to making such mistakes.
But with these mechanic's shops, they want you to be fast so they can charge $75 or more an hour. But then, they probably go by book hour, so that might not even apply.
Now just how many bikes do you have to disassemble/reassemble or tires changed to be able to do it in a reasonable amount of time? All different makes and models? Much less FAST and relaxed without rushing and cutting corners??? And how do they expect these mechanics to be created??? Out of expensive schools!?!
Likely not! It takes doing it. Wonder if MMI has their students assemble/disassemble/overhaul a bazillion bikes, or do they just give 'em a few "hands on" exercises with stupid classwork and call them "mechanics?"
Talking to local people in the industry, I've heard bad things about MMI. One fellow had to get a job in another industry just to pay it off! Talk about a bad deal! Another shop owner told me the MMI people (one or two) he hired didn't want to work or something.