Maybe doing restaurant/commercial HVAC? There’s a guy I follow on YouTube, HVACR Videos, who is also in California looking for techs. Relatively small thing he’s got going on, but the work looks interesting.
Many of the newer cars and trucks can't be worked on without a lift. Subframes must be dropped to get a compressor out. Would be a real job to do one with no lift.Why not set yourself up as a mobile A/C mechanic? You just get a van and load it up with tools and drive to your customers so they don't have to come visit you. I used to use a mechanic like that and then later on he just opened up his own shop. I think he started at $50/hour, then went to $60 and then when he had his own shop, he was at $80, then he moved away. Of course this was years ago. Found him on Craigslist but of course these days, probably Facebook Marketplace is the place to advertise.
Many of the newer cars and trucks can't be worked on without a lift. Subframes must be dropped to get a compressor out. Would be a real job to do one with no lift.
Absolutely good luck!Good luck to you Chris.
I was in HVAC installer for 16 years. Since you're good with your hands I would expand training with sheet-metal work and installations. You could work any where you want.Given that you are in California, I'd go into HVAC instead of other auto jobs like radiator repair. Seeing how much money an average HVAC job cost I'm sure in the future the sky is the limit especially if you can end up in commercial HVAC.
Whatever you choose, don't let your past tie you down. I once thought of a field I was passionate about and wanted to go back into, and then that industry collapsed, I hang on to one equipment in my garage for nostalgia and then finally see the light, tossing it into the e-waste recycle. I've moved on now and am way happier.
While there is a shortage, there is still the problem of shops demanding crazy hours and/or ridiculous quotas for mediocre pay in most of the country. It is fun though, and clearance is clearance!If I was going to head in a new direction it would be as a CNC Machinist.
Stay away from anything to do with restaurants.
Wouldn't hurt to put in an application, clean up your resume nice. We have refrigerated trailers too, might be worth talking to someone.
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