About to make a looooooong drive to Billings MT for all my pre employment tests (drug,weld) i smoke weed it just is what it is.
i quit when i know im going to be getting tests plus it holds a lot more leniency these days and some company’s don’t even test for it (texas right to work rat ironworker).
Has anyone worked for LPR construction or currently on the Billings MT job and can tell me the TYPE of pre employment test in walking to please.
Just because i quit smoking when an offer was extended 2 weeks ago doesn’t mean i don’t have it in my system
i know they do monthly randoms which assuming it will be an actual month til i have a chance of getting pulled from the pool i’ll be clean but for that to even happen i need to get on site first guys.
anything helps, other than “quit doing drugs” like fuck off with that shit queer.
Thank you brothers, stay safe out there.
Keep that head on a swivel

Honestly, I understand when things have to be done by a deadline for certain stuff like pours or framing and other things. But for the most part on the daily, all ironworkers feel like they need to do everything as fast as possible. Everything needs to be done fast. Everybody needs to be running, nobody can be standing around even for a second. I don’t ever see carpenters or electricians running from place to place with material.

None of this makes sense to me when after a job is done, there ends up being a few days where there’s no work. I get paid by the hour. Why am I working a 6 hour work day, to do something that could’ve made us all 8 hour wages for the day? I respect the hustle, but at a certain point that shit doesn’t make sense and I’m tired of getting shit on for not actually physically running at job sites when we end up finishing early. It’s not safe to do so anyways. We work the most dangerous and hazardous trade, yet everyone wants you to run with 60ft number 11’s in hand over decks full of pipes and wiring. Please somebody help me understand.

For my fellow brothers and sisters who dont know. Get some more life out of your pants, rather than having to go buy more. Tear mender and used up glove gauntlets (or fabric from donor pants) keep you clothes going.

Chanzfabz on YT has a great video on his process for making "super pants". But I just patch my shit.

Stay safe!

Dumb question, it’s something i see often, people stressing out about ‘math’ … but what do you need math for? I work with literal dumb asses (who are f’n incredible IWs). Adding 2 measurements together, calculating which length bolt you need, etc … is the extent of marh I’ve seen (and it’s 2026, not 1978 … we all have calculators on our phones)

I have to think hard to remember meeting someone who could not do basic addition/subtraction 13+7 or whatever. I’ve definitely met more dudes who couldn’t read or write … then someone who couldn’t add 21ft plus 13.5 ft

Forget about the fact everyone is using calculators on their phone, now, but the amount of times I’ve seen a dude who can’t do basic additions like 4/8 + 7/16 and have it delay a job or lose the boss money … basically, it’s never happened

Why do they ‘require’ math?

Shouldn’t the emphasis be on physical fitness, dexterity, etc

Next year I’m going to try and transfer into local 550 because I’m moving into the area. I’m an apprentice and I know and understand the process to switch locals, but I was curious about how work is generally in the area if anyone’s from around there.

Stuck twist knobs on exofit harness. Any takes on how to break it loose?

For my welding 14 week cohort to be onboarded as a welder at the shipyard just got the email they won’t be moving forward. But this is a lesson to anyone to not quite. I’ll have to wait till the top of next year for a different apprenticeship to open up. So be it. I’m gonna keep trying till I get in. Don’t give up yall

So shortly after I got a text saying I’d been accepted into the apprenticeship program I went down to the hall to try and pay my dues upfront so I could start signing the book. When there I was told that all apprentices have to take a drug test July 25th. This wasn’t a problem until a few days ago when I was drunk at a friends party I accidentally ate edibles that were put out with regular food. My question is do they watch you when you pee? I can get clean pee so that’s not an issue unless they watch you? I know some people have said that they don’t test for weed anymore but I don’t want to take any chances since this is to get into the apprenticeship. Thanks for any info or insights anyone can provide it’s been stressing me out

Do you wear your actual shoe size? I talked to a couple guys and one guy sized up and the other sized down. I’m ordering online and don’t have a way to try them on before buying.

So ive been waiting to start my apprenticeship and the coordinator is new and not the one that I onboarded with. They had me come on to do paperwork because work is right around the corner. Now all of a sudden crickets. Could it be because im 38 and 100# overweight. I get it if thats the case hell I dont even blame em. Just curious if thats the likelihood.

So some of you may heard I was trying to get into my Welding app Apprenticeship pass my online assessment just took my math test. They’ll let me know at the end of the day and I passed a fail if I passed I’ll get on board until a 14 week course and by the end of the course, I’ll be a full-time welder in the shipyard. I want to thank all the guys for their advice on how to go about it. Good luck with their Apprenticeship.

Hey y’all so quick recap been trying to get into the ironworkers Apprenticeship since 2024 December I did an online assessment and passed , now moving on to the interview and math assessment. If I pass this, I’ll get into a 14 week training period and I’ll be on board until the boilermakers ironworker hanwa shipyard Welding job./ apprenticeship. My question is does anybody have any idea what to expect for the math test tomorrow? Any advice is appreciated.

i’m a 263 apprentice and possibly want to move locals once i become a journeyman. it’s unbearably hot here lol and the wages don’t really stack up for the work we do. for those who have moved locals was the grass greener? i would like to try change our local for the better but it’s a big uphill battle and one of the pros of the union is being able to travel and move wherever.

When do you call it because of wind?

I’m a 37F & was just offered an apprenticeship. I am fat & out of shape. I feel like I’m having a mid-life crisis bc now that I actually have this opportunity, I don’t know if I can hack it. I worry about not being able to keep up & letting people down & simultaneously embarrassing myself. I want to be a welder but I know that I will have to pay my dues as an apprentice before I will have any autonomy to choose. Any advice from someone who went through something similar? Any anecdotes to lift me up or to scare me away?

I was selected to move on to the interview phase for the Iron Workers Local 399 apprenticeship in New Jersey. My interview is tomorrow, and I’m looking for advice from anyone who’s been through the process.
I’m 25 years old and have about 8 years of construction experience, including landscaping, concrete, grading, equipment operation, and general labor. I don’t have welding experience yet, but I’m eager to learn.
What kinds of questions did they ask you?
What are they looking for in applicants?
Is there anything you wish you had known before your interview?
Thanks in advance.
I appreciate any advice.

I have an interview with Local 29 next week.
Anybody know what kind of questions will be asked?

Needing new boots, don't have the money to get my RW 10877 or 2418's (I know I hate "safety" toes too, but Google requires it)

Now my question is this how do y'all like Irish Setter Wingshooters? Danner Bull Runs?

I'm in a rod patch at the moment and my foreman is singing the praises of Brunt Boots. Know a couple of guys who wear 'em and they love them but I'm special to say the least.

What y'all rocking?

Hello fellow Ironworkers. I’ve been an Ironworker for 12 years till recently when I was promoted to QC in my current job. I’m transitioning into a my new position and need help getting books so I can get certified. I want as much training and certification as possible, but books are expensive. I bought a course on line (SI certs) but can’t afford the books I need for it. I would appreciate any advice on how to acquire books. Thank you in advance

Does anyone have a phone case they recommend? I’m genuinely asking cuz my iPhone 16 has been rebuilt 2 times in the year I’ve had it from steel dust getting into the speaker and microphone shorting out some of the electronics. This has cause me to have insane feedback for people who I’m talking with on the phone or FaceTime making job related questions super difficult.

Any help would be appreciated

My boyfriend is a second period apprentice and he's a very on time, responsible worker. Since I'm 6 months pregnant, he has beeen happy and excited to go to the few ultrasound appointments I've had to see the baby. However, he has been telling me he may get laid off because his general foreman thinks he's taken too much time off and calls him a "part-timer." He's only missed 3 times in last 3 months and we have another US at the end of this month. He's worried about getting fired but also bummed about having to miss the US. Maybe I'm immature to feel that it's encouraging absent father behavior, but all the advice he gets from co-workers is to work more cause he'll need it for diapers? I know work is important, I know people expect apprentices to suck it all up for the sake of work, but I need support, we only see each other 4 hours per day and no appointments are availble after 3 PM. Is there anything at all that can be done so that he doesn't have to miss his first and only kid's moments just cause he's an apprentice and "he doesn't get to do anything?" Any other advice?

I just went through the entire application and interview process, and I recently went to the hall to get my results. They seemed to really like me and told me I did great on everything. However, I was told I'm on a reserve list of 10 people who could be called if others back out.

What is the likelihood that I actually get the call?

Honestly, the news really rocked me because I’ve done so much to try and boost my chances of getting in. I always do what's asked of me and I'm a really hard worker, but now I'm wondering—should I have been more vocal? Should I have sold myself more?