I was planning on joining the coast guard to go into marine engine repair, but i just got the opportunity to apply for both aviation and marine repair in my area....which has more potential for growth as in eventually opening my own business or just in the long run making more money? the aviation is primarily airbuses and the marine is on large vessels.
2007-07-12 10:29:17 · 6 answers · asked by Bill 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
Speaking from experience, you will work a LOT of overtime going into the marine industry. Good Marine mechanics/engineers are hard to find, at least in South Louisiana, and a very good mechanic can essentially go to a potential employer and name his price. Plus, there's enough work to keep you busy if you open your own business. Boats run 24/7, and break down 24/7, and that's not stopping anytime in the near future. When I started working on tugboats 4 years ago when I was 19 with no experience, I had no problems making 35-40K/year, at $11/hour because of the overtime. The company I work for now has lots of opportunities for advancement...and within 5-6 years, I will probably be off of my tools completely. I also know my boss is salary making 85K/year. It all depends on which field you are more interested in. I also like the variety of components I get to work on. One day I might work on the engine, the next day the alarm system, the next the freshwater system, steering, hydraulics. It's not the same stuff day in and day out. Boats break down all over the place, so I don't travel to the same job every day. I go to Baton Rouge sometimes, New Orleans, I've even been to Houston, TX Decatur, AL, Niceville, FL and Helena AR a few times. So you get different scenery every now and then. That's just my two cents, tho. Hope that helped.
2007-07-13 08:17:54 · answer #1 · answered by Jimmy G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will tell you what I know. I flew Lockheed S-3 Vikings in the Navy on active duty from 1979 to 1984. My plane captain (we are still close friends) who was responsible for assuring my plane was properly serviced currently repairs jets for a local charter company. He also works, on the side, on boat motors.
I do know from what he has told me, if you have a "knack" for this and are trained you can repair or be trained easily on any type motor. He went on to say an aircraft mechanic can make an easier move into marine type jobs than vice versa.
Hope this helps. I know good mechanics are wanted in both fields. Airplanes are cleaner to work on also.
In the Navy aviation mechanics also can easily move into other fields of aviation and also travel a lot. I am sure the Coast Guard is probably the same.
2007-07-20 07:16:08 · answer #2 · answered by Bruce T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not familiar with the aviation industry, but there is a very big demand for engineers in the shipping industry without any relief in sight. Several years ago a friend of mine who was sailing as a junior engineer on a merchant ship was making $12k a month with 6-months a year vacation time. I believe it is more in todays market.
2007-07-19 15:56:13 · answer #3 · answered by Dennis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think aviation would be more lucrative than large marine vessels. If you were working on small boat motors, that might be a different story. While you're in, try to network with civilian contractors, they're the ones who can help you get a job when you get out.
2007-07-12 10:39:59 · answer #4 · answered by Robert S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bill aviation jets if you will be able to get in think of the future.There is more money in aviation.
2007-07-12 10:34:40 · answer #5 · answered by 45 auto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would get into Covered Wagon repair or Pogo stick repair.
2007-07-18 13:49:55 · answer #6 · answered by hawk_barry 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋