So I got the job! I'm really looking forward to working hard and learning a lot this season. Thank you all for the advice. I went in there with WAY more confidence than I had before I made this thread. I couldn't be happier about getting this opportunity. You guys are awesome. :)
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Getting Into Lift Maintenance
Started by Lifty541, Oct 10 2014 11:45 AM
33 replies to this topic
#30
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- Industry II
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New User
Posted 23 November 2014 - 10:03 PM
Congrats! I have worked as a Lift Mechanic for eleven years now and worked with both Doppelmayr and POMA. Ironically I keep trying to get out of the industry but I can't. Secretly guess I love working on ski lifts. Okay, no secret. I would be lying if I said it was always easy being a woman in this industry, but I also believe most things worth doing in life are hard. Much like yourself I was a lift operator and had no mechanical or electrical experience when I started. No really... I didn't know the difference between a bearing and a bushing. It sounds like you have a bit of a head start. To succeed it comes down to determination, a desire to learn, and a good attitude. When people see that they respect you, and they want to teach you. I know how you feel though being a female with no experience it's like starting with negative fantasy points. It takes a lot of work before anyone wants to pick you for their team. Well, you got picked! If I could give you any advice first, it would be to use your elbows. What I mean by this is that most of us are kinesthetic learners, the "do-ers" and we need the hands on experience to learn. So don't be afraid to get in there with the guys. Ask questions and get familiar with terminology. If you have down time manuals are a good source of info. I once took the tools out of my supervisor/mentors hands because he would just jump in and fix stuff without giving me a chance. He did't have anything against me, or anyone else for that matter, that's just the way he worked. I basically told him I was never going to learn if he always fixed everything. After that we worked really well together. It took a while, but it was gratifying the day my supervisor sat on the ground not saying a word and watched me run a big project. That was a good lesson for both of us. When it comes to teaching new mechanics it's hard for some people to step back. Sometimes you have to throw some elbows to learn. Second, don't worry about the fact that you are a woman in the industry. I know it can be intimidating at times but it's not a handicap it's an advantage.There are more of us out there then you think, although still a minority. We just don't last much past ten years best I can tell. In fact there have even been a few women Lift Maintenance Managers. When people ask you what you do and you tell them you are a Ski Lift Mechanic be prepared for some of them to assume you said Lift Operator. Just go with it, It's fun to watch their face when they realize later you said mechanic. Mechanic sounds so much like operator I completely understand how this is a common misconception. Third, everything is heavy unless you are an electrician. That may or may not be a problem for you. If it is then find a gym and watch the guys who are about to retire they know all the tricks to working smarter not harder. As for boots, Koflach's work well but they can be a bit bulky. I used them for years on the east coast where the weather is brutal, and so is the snowmaking. They can be a bit warm for the west.
#33
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- Industry II
- 23 Posts:
New User
Posted 22 February 2015 - 01:21 PM
Wow, lightwing, thank you for your very good advice! I have been trying to take every opportunity I can to learn by physically doing the work - indeed, I am a kinesthetic learner. There are times when I wish I had a little more upper body strength (such as changing sheaves), I have been trying to work on it both by not shying away from heavy lifting at work and by lifting weights at home. It's getting easier.
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#34
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- Industry II
- 23 Posts:
New User
Posted 22 February 2015 - 01:33 PM
2milehi- I feel like I'm fitting in... Everyone in the department has a good attitude and the experienced mechanics have been very patient with answering questions and sharing their knowledge. As for the work... I absolutely love it. It is fascinating and rewarding for me. :)
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