This section is quite a bit longer and relates mainly to branch specific issues seeing as though I was let go just before the Interstate takeover back when it was still Inland Power Group. This was my first job as a field service tech. DEFINITELY not the place to learn as a beginner. Don't get me wrong, my fellow coworkers taught me a lot but let me explain.... I trained with Ford Motor Company and Cummins Power Generation where manuals were readily available and troubleshooting had a structured flow to ensure proper diagnosis of problems. Management clearly told me "you're a generator tech, not an engine tech...we have another group of guys for that". Ok great. They will send you to work on a unit that has engine issues and if you can't figure it out you become an annoyance. Never once seen manuals pertaining to the generators we worked on unless customers kept theirs. If you're not an engine tech then forget about any sort of engine software to help with troubleshooting. You'll constantly have your hours questioned as if you're up to no good. My first year at Inland I had zero write ups and work was good. Then the current manager was fired and the new manager didn't have a clue about anything. Every day I was questioned about my jobs, given less and less work and constantly harassed. Even simple tasks such as taking a van to get its oil changed were questioned. The foreman was just a senior tech that had an incredibly brown nose. Logistics and job planning is a nightmare turning week long jobs into month long jobs. Management and others were repeatedly overheard talking about other workers in a demeaning manner. Basically if you can't fend for yourself you will gladly be set up for failure. I could go on forever but I'll leave you with this. I dreaded going to work everyday after my first year and absolutely hated each and every single day under my 2nd manager.
