Here is my story as it pertains to your 1st subject. I started as an apprentice plumber/fitter for Local 85 in the mid-60’s. After about 1 year I could see where that when work went slack locally I was going to have to travel. As being married, starting a family, &building a house I decided I didn’t want to go on the road. I applied to work at Dow Chemical which is a hometown company and got hired. Within just a few years I earned 2 journeyman cards (journeyman welder & journeyman pipe fabricator) I was ASME qualified in all materials & welding processes used in Dow. Later, my career as a tradesman was recognized by the head of the Welding Engineering Dept and I was offered a job as a Non-Degreed Welding Engr! I have always been extremely grateful that I chose to stay local and not travel! Since many of the men I worked with from Local 85 still live in my town, I see no evidence of anything other than an easily comparable standard of living except the majority of them have been divorced at least once. They will tell you that the temptations of living away from home and family can cause a heavy burden & stress on relationships! That’s my career lifetime story!
Here is my story as it pertains to your 1st subject. I started as an apprentice plumber/fitter for Local 85 in the mid-60’s. After about 1 year I could see where that when work went slack locally I was going to have to travel. As being married, starting a family, &building a house I decided I didn’t want to go on the road. I applied to work at Dow Chemical which is a hometown company and got hired. Within just a few years I earned 2 journeyman cards (journeyman welder & journeyman pipe fabricator) I was ASME qualified in all materials & welding processes used in Dow. Later, my career as a tradesman was recognized by the head of the Welding Engineering Dept and I was offered a job as a Non-Degreed Welding Engr! I have always been extremely grateful that I chose to stay local and not travel! Since many of the men I worked with from Local 85 still live in my town, I see no evidence of anything other than an easily comparable standard of living except the majority of them have been divorced at least once. They will tell you that the temptations of living away from home and family can cause a heavy burden & stress on relationships! That’s my career lifetime story!