20 years at one bodyshop

[Kelly 1,033]

Well today is my 20 year anniversary, at the body shop, not sure if it makes me happy or sad?? most body men only stay at one shop 5 years or so and move on, I make pretty good money but it is hard labor for the most part, I've been doing body work for near 30 years now, and it's taking it's toll on my body, I'm only 46 but there are days I feel 90, my hands don't work as good as they did years ago, I've been pushing my kids to get a good education and get good jobs so they don't have to do the hard manual labor, save that for the hobbies and such, heck I've been at this shop longer than any thing else I've ever done.

[squonk 43,560]

Know the feeling. Worked at several dealerships in my younger days. Got tired of flat rate with the cash customers going to a few select guys and all the warranty work to me. The shop would be slow but they would still hire more techs. Worked at a Napa for 10 years wich is my record but I couldn't live on what they paid. Been working at a local Hospital for 8 years now working on everything. Never a dull moment. You'd be surprised how much college educated people in high places (management ) can screw something simple up. Hands and knees starting not to work right anymore. Had to give up the bike because of it.

[groundhog47 347]

Well today is my 20 year anniversary, at the body shop, not sure if it makes me happy or sad?? most body men only stay at one shop 5 years or so and move on, I make pretty good money but it is hard labor for the most part, I've been doing body work for near 30 years now, and it's taking it's toll on my body, I'm only 46 but there are days I feel 90, my hands don't work as good as they did years ago, I've been pushing my kids to get a good education and get good jobs so they don't have to do the hard manual labor, save that for the hobbies and such, heck I've been at this shop longer than any thing else I've ever done.

AND congratulations on a benchmark, sounds like what I used to kinda preach to all the young folks.

On the positive side you can also look back at all the good work you did!

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,017]

I hear ya on the "beat up body thing" Kelly. I worked electrical construction for 24 years before I changed careers. I'm a project manager for a defence contractor and now I hire my old company to work for me on projects!

Congrats on your 20 years, you must be good at what you do!

Mike................

[illinilefttackle 399]

Congratulations Kelly! What you have done has become almost a thing of the past- To work hard for an honest living-to be loyal to one company. Its a Honor to know you!-Al

[can whlvr 994]

congrats to your career,20 years is a milestone,i too can empathize on the body being beat up,im a mason,concrete guy,its tough when you do a physical job and get older

[rmaynard 16,262]

20 years is a long time at any one job. My daughter-in-law seems to change jobs every few years, but each time she moves up the corporate ladder. I asked her one time if job jumping didn't look bad on her resume. She said that recruiters like to see job jumpers. I don't get it.

Anyway, you must be a valuable employee, otherwise the 20 years would have been cut short by your boss. :)

[whc160 80]

Congrats Kelly!

My dad has worked for the same company since 1971.

I am a young guy, but also feel old. Been working on semi trucks since I was in high school other than driving them for five years. Of course I was dumb and young. Got paid by the load, so I went like a mad man.

[puddlejumper 67]

Well, kelly I think WE are just going to have to admit somewhere along the way we have become the old guys , I will be 46 in sept. and like you I have been working for the same construction company since coming home from the army 23yrs ago came home on thursday went to work on monday, I had worked for them summers in high school also. And to reinterate all the above comments it doesnt seem to matter what you have done if it involves your hands and your back. I just hurt all over, Morning ritual stretch sloooowly and listen to all the joints pop and crack. problem is I am not sure how much longer I am going to be able to take it. The last few days I have been in a dumptruck, Never did care for it much in the past but even though the old mack is not a easy chair not sure I couldnt get used to it.

[Butch 194]

Suburban 550, Ray, was at a body shop for like 30 years and the owners decided to close down.

[Ken B 3,189]

Congrats Kelly! Did they at least buy ya lunch?

I'm working on a record here myself, another few yrs. and I'll tie my ten yrs. I spent wrenching at the dealership. I used to always say, "these boots are made for walkin" but at 45 yrs. old my boots have become a little worn and tired. Starting over at a new job is becoming a little harder to do these days....

[baerpath 517]

Congrates Kelly.

I drove for the same company for 20 yrs throughout New England. Was working on 21 and don't have a job now. My replacement works for around half of what I made. Oh well

[C-85 747]

Congradulations Kelley, anyone that can stay in a good job that long deserves praise!

All bet you've seen a lot of changes in paints over the years. I worked in a B/S many years ago, but I only lasted about a year and a half. It is very hard work and then there's all the dust and chemicals to breath!

Lately I have been hearing about body shops using water based paints and really wonder how good this is and how they do it. Water based paints were talked about when I was in the trade back in the 90's, but I never saw them, so I'm wondering how you and everyone else likes them?

C-85 :flags-usa:

[stevasaurus 23,253]

Kelly, Congratulations on your 20 years. I have had the pleasure of seeing your work...excellent. One day, I would like to see some of your work next to Ray Baker's (suburban 550)...you both are top shelf, and I would love to be a fly on the wall listening to you guys talk about the trade. Through JoeBob into this mix and I would want to do a video...not many like you guys. :)

[6wheeler 669]

And they haven't fired you yet? Congrats on the 20 years. I can only imagine the whining and complaining stories you have. Plus all the changes you have seen in the vehicles you have had your hands on. I have been driving truck now for over 33 years. 10 years as an owner operator. And now coming up on 24 years as a ready mix concrete driver. My knees and back tell me about it all the time. I tell my kids to stay in school too. Then they can get a real job that may not beat a guy to death. Good Luck on another 20.

[Fun Engineer 859]

Congratulations Kelly. 20 years in one place is a milestone. I've seen your work and it's top quality. Your help (paint and parts) to others on Red Square is appreciated.

[Kelly 1,033]

Thanks guys, no one at work even know or cares it was 20 years, the owner that was the boss till a few years ago, when he stops in will think highly of it, and his wife (they think of me as family, and my family as theirs), their son took over and it's not the same any more, I only do body work, frame work, and I'm the only certified mech. in the shop so I do all the mech. work, I don't do any paint work at the shop, I have not paint professionally in 20 years, only my projects at home.

We are going to be changing over over the water based paints in the next few years, mandated by 2015, I know it says water based but it's not like water from the tap, I guess it's easy to use and clean up, and ozone friendly.

[puddlejumper 67]

"their son took over and it's not the same any more"

I feel for you kelly, I totally understand

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

Conragulations Kelly!

Twenty years at one place of employment is still something to be proud of, no matter what the younger generations are thinking. My 19 year anniversary where I work will be coming up in April. We have alot to be thankful for with respect to jobs and income in todays economy.

BTW, Aleve Pain Reliver with your morning coffee should help with the daily aches and soreness.

Van

[perry 82]

congrats on sticking with it for 20yrs. that seems like a dying business. heck they total out more cars than they fix dont they ?. fender bender , total it , flat tire , total it ...LOL

my last place i worked the owners ( husband & wife) were killed on thier harley. they were good friends as well. they were just wonderfull people who went above and beyond for their employees. son took over and went down hill from there. i still feel so bad for the two young boys who had to go through that and had a business dumped on thier shoulders the next day. we all did our best but the economy took us down . the old man was the heart and sole of it all.

[Martin 2,133]

congratulations kelly, definitely a milestone to make it to 20 years in one company.....

i moved around a little back home in the construction industry, but still managed nearly 8 or so years at one place. will have 13 years in may at the place im at now. not quite 20 years yet, but quite an achievement with the turnover we have.........

theres a few that have stuck it out and have 30+ years there. dont know whether my body can handle another 17 years. cant see myself giving up and doing something physically easier though, hard manual labor is all i have ever done.......

[6wheeler 669]

Isn't it funny how that works Kelly? My boss/owner passed away 6 years ago and his son took over. Now we have a committee that runs it. New rules every day. They don't even care what our contract says. It's like the NFL, we don't like the rules. So, "WE" will just change em'. Now we get the, "Well, if you don't like it? You can always quit". I'd like to learn more about that water based paint too.

[Don1977 604]

Kelly we know you do good work, we've seen it. 20 years is a long time hope thing work out for you. Most I've work at one place is 18 years. They cut my pay in 1990 and I headed for the door. The next place went pretty good for the first 10 years, then his wife retired and came to work there. Then his daughter, lasted 2 more years. One guy that work there wanted to buy into the company. My response was "Any body that wants to buy into this company is too dumb to work here".

[Coadster32 793]

Congrats Kelly!! 20 years is a big one. I remeber my father going thru the generation hand-down. He didn't like it one bit. I have been at my company since 16years old, (I'm now 39). We're going to go thru a generation hand-down in the next couple of years as well. Hope things go well thru all of it. (Sometime's we'd like to tell the boss's heir to just stay home, and we'll mail them their cut).

[SALTYWRIGHT 861]

I AM OLDER THAN MOST OF YOU GUYS. (84 IN APRIL) (MARRIED 62 YEARS) I WORKED AT 4 PLACES IN 50 YEARS. NEVER WAS OUT OF WORK. THE LAST PLACE I WORKED THE OWNER RETIRD AND THE PLACE FELL APART.