Thinking about applying for this job. Is this side non union? How’s the pay? Are they likely to get laid off? Thanks
16 replies (most recent on top)
Spot on from the former cell tech, did all that plus snowcat, quads, on and on, 3 BBU platforms, Lucent, Nokia, Ericson. RSA tech. Last two years was no fun, depending on the yr. 90 to 110K, for last 10yrs.
Glad I'm out, best yr ever.
Work for the union once, UPRR, 38yrs ago, never again.
Same goes for government work.
Most of the people I worked with that left are too young to retire for good are finding better jobs for more pay.
Best thing to do is go to work in large metro system, get established, then transfer to a low cost of living state, pay stays the same. Did that and got a huge cost of living benefit.
But sad to see the company is going to the model of having contractors do all the work.
Remember, its all decided by accounting, legal, and upper management.
The craft of the job is going fast, I wouldn't go into the job again now with all the tech changes, plug and play and all computer work.
Your be given about you keys, some used old tools, a truck , and a map and about 20 passwords and a good luck. No training u less you call web training, you’ll have to search thru vendor websites for pdf’s and have to reference engineer everything. They don’t know once in the field and you’ll just have to find a way to make it work. Including keeping up the prior technologies at the same time. It’s an impossible task but if you through away your life you’ll come close to pulling if manic just to be treated like a dog and let go like trash.
No union out here in California along with 80% of the country. How do problems get fixed there?
Wait, I already know the answer. Quickly and at a greatly reduced cost!
#2023iscoming
All the wireless techs do is wait for the copper/fiber union technician to show up and fix the problem. #landline
man I wish for near 100k, when i was hired couple years ago 45k was the start for cell tech. 2-3% annual increase
making under 50k before oncall and overtime is a thing of the past or so I am told.
maybe other markets are diff but i got 70+ sites
What @tjk says and:
Since the VSPs left now the territories are much larger so you could be driving 100's of miles per day. Shift change at the drop of a hat...get home at 6pm and go back out at 10pm. Be at the mercy of aggressive Project Managers who have no clue or even care what other "fires" you are having to deal with. Dealing with tower crews who are working from the wrong prints and then trying to turn up tower top radios that aren't working! Training is hard to come by, and much of the time it is via web learning with hard to understand foreign instructors. Then a Director will get a wild hair and force your boss to make your department drop everything to work on some task that can wait or even be taken care of by another group. It just seemed that Network Operations was always a "catch all" for tasks that had nothing really to do with your normal job function of keeping the most dependable network "Dependable". It can be a rewarding job. But other Departments in VZ can make it difficult. There is a general lack of support for Wireless Techs in the field.
20 years here and it’s a company wide horrible culture that’s so bad it can’t be explained. You’ll work 24/7 pulling off miracles until you realize that you’ve nearly k–led yourself making some people billionaires for them just to misrepresent everything you’ve accomplished. You’ll find everything on these commercials is exactly opposite of what they say the are.
I did the job for almost 20 years. Most I got paid (less overtime) was just under 80K. Non union. Go for the job
If you don't like it find another.
Sounds like nxx. Couldn't get in the union, And now he is all jelly and butt hurt !!!!
I heard you only get the "top pay" of a 101k if you are on disability and file a grievance.
NY Metro Cell techs are union and their top pay without overtime is 101k.
make right under 100k with oncall and overtime
job is very basic, I work about 15 hours a week and sell real estate full time
most people work 10am to 2pm
Hope you people get paid over 150K if you have to do all that work. It looks like a very stressful job which would require early retirement due to all the health issues you'll have from this job.
Former cell tech here. If you have an actual knowledge of Telecom,Electronics, AC and DC power, RF, antenna systems, can manipulate and download and upload FTP files via a laptop, tower light systems, know and have troubleshooting skills, know how to run various test equipment, know IP networking and have basic Cisco and ALU router experience. Microwave systems experience, can track and resolve interference generators, monitor various webpage call processing and alarm screen systems, read through at least 200 emails a day (only a dozen pertains to you) maintain 4 or 5 databases that keep you imputing information that no one reads because they are now using a new data base, be on conference calls, be on a on call rotation. Use a scanner to track parts. Keep getting new "Tasks as assigned " work. Work outdoors on cabinets after shoveling snow to get to them. It can be hard work. Just getting warmed up here. If you are lucky enough to get a good manager to watch your back it can be easier
No its not union so expect to work for a living.
You are asking if cell techs get laid off on a layoff site? Do bears $hit in the woods?
run.