Anyone work in AV industry? (Or RECCOMMEND me a job!)

[AngelGrinder]

As per the title, I have recently gotten fed up with my current job, the more I see, the less I like.

At the moment I am working as a Driver/Technician, so 95% of the jobs are in London, and I have to drive a long wheelbase Sprinter. Usually My day consists of either -

a)Setting up a small conference (A small PA/ an LCD screen)

b)Taking down a small conference

c)Dropping something, somewhere, for someone (a.k.a Courier)

d)Occasionally helping set up/deliver a big show (about 1% of the time)

My main problem is the driving in London, and the hours. During the week, I cannot say no to the overtime. If it's 5pm and I've done a 12 hour shift, and my manager needs me to go back into London to set something up, I have too.
I can rarely take holidays, and when I do, I seem to get constant calls from work.

EVeryday is now becoming a race in the van - racing to beat rush hour - racing to the next job - racing home for dinner.

I'm just getting fed up, during the week, I can have no life or any plans EVER, unless for hospital etc.

Perks of the job used to be - when it wasn't busy I could go home (I lived less than a mile from the warehouse) and also I have a van I can use for personal things (as long as I don't take the piss)

Now I've moved about 30miles away - so I can't just pop home, and it's added atleast another hour of driving per day.

Today I started work at 5am, and got home at 6.30pm

Tomorrow I start at 6am and will get home at 9.30pm

Friday is a 4am start, 5pm finish (if nothing gets changed)

And I may be needed for the weekend.

I earn not far off 20k a year (with overtime), which is not bad for my age (21), but I feel pretty crap for the rediculous hours and the hassel.




I was planning to carry on, and become a technician only, but these days, they only seem to be setting up crap jobs, and the hours are still a nightmare.

I'm learning as much of the kit as I can, I am confident with video and projection, and fairly confident with audio, and have basic knowledge of lighting and avolites desks...

Is there any jobs I could go for you can think of? I basically want rid of the van, and have some sort of life outside of work, but also somewhere that isn't dead end...

Or, as right now I can't see anywhere in the industry I fancy, what other jobs can anyone reccommend?

Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advice for all replies!

Cheers!
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Currently Riding - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000 Mille

[AngelGrinder]

Anyone worked as a Prison Officer....how was/is it?
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Currently Riding - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000 Mille

[b1g5m0k3]

hey, i was looking to get into a similar job your doing right now.

how did u get into it? sorry im not answering your topic question though.

[AngelGrinder]

[chris-red]

Mate move into office life I get more than you with no real qualifications (shit a levels) I'm 20 and work 7 hours a day. My job is fairly easily and not very strenious at all.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Itchy]

[Whosthedaddy]

[wikiwiki]

Hello, I'm in the industry, are you an op or engineer, or is it just rigging that you're after?

I used to be based in north London but am now based in Herts.

Just read your location, you're down the road from us.

What companys have you worked for??

Your hours are a bit abusive even for this industry, I've not done hours like that for a while, and that's only when we're busy, things are starting to wind down now, coming into the summer.

I've been in this job for 11 years and if you enjoy it at the tech level, it's a job for life, you don't want to be a donkey much after 25, your back will fuck up soon, LOL.

You could enquire with our guys, 119 production services.
We are looking at engineers, your wage WILL increase if you're willing to learn and do some tough and unsociable hours, but as you understand, that's our industry, take it or leave it.

[AngelGrinder]

[wikiwiki]

PSL, ahh, i worked there when they were in staples corner 1 and a bit years, didn't like it, though that's what started me out riding a bike so i have that to thank them for.

Your hours now make sense, they worked us like dogs, i was in the warehouse as a prep tech, shift hours where horrible, but i was aware that the road guys had it harder.

As an engineer, you'll be expected to know some sound, lighting, video and computer stuff, as you are willing to learn and do the hours (you won't be worked anywhere near as hard as scaddings boys) it's not the end of the world, if you're missing some of that knowledge, you may need to work weekends and do last minute jobs in the local area, Hanbury manor?, You will be driving a van but that's the job, this won't be your life though, Like today, i'm on the second day of a 2 day conference at the heathrow marriott hotel, rough with the smooth, only with us lot, it's mostly smooth, good guys work here mate, and we are small, 8 people, 2 full time engineers, me and one other, the guv is looking into another.

HTH.

[Itchy]

[colin1]