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sbatson
Joined: 25 Jan 2008
Posts: 237
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| I kinda of was thinking the samething but when your choices are limited what do you do. |
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Orangetxguy
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Posts: 1973
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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JeffTheTerrible wrote: Mackman wrote: i would take the dump job. The hourly pay sucks but you will be close to home and atlest you get OT out of the deal.
I'm not sure I can agree with you here.. I really don't think a dump truck is a wise decision for someone brand new to driving. I mean, you have to have enough of a feel for the truck to know, for instance, when to follow the foreman's instructions, and when to risk pissing him off by telling him, "Look, superfly, I'm not dumping at this angle. Shuttle it with a backhoe, or scoop it out with a trackhoe, but I'm not flipping this damn truck over". And this is especially true if you're working on any sort of construction, where you'll be asked to dump at all sorts of awkward angles (and I'm saying this more for sbatson's benefit than yours, as I'm sure you're already well aware of this). It's kinda like driving a tanker.. it's just better to cut your teeth on something a little more conventional before you go taking that on.
Good advise for a newb JTT. |
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JeffTheTerrible
Joined: 20 Jan 2005
Posts: 739
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| Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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sbatson wrote: I kinda of was thinking the samething but when your choices are limited what do you do.
What exactly keeps you from going OTR? There's a lot of companies out there which provide the training, and, as much as the large companies get bashed, they tend to be consistent at keeping you on the move. And, if the lower 48 (and perhaps even beyond) is a bit than what you're seeking, a lot of these companies also have regional routes, as well, where you'll stay within a specific area.
A dump truck is a much less stable vehicle, with much more weight at the top, and this becomes even more of a factor when you're actually dumping out. I wouldn't recommend tankers, cattle trailers, dump trucks, or end dump trailers (especially frameless end dumps) as a first job.
If you're absolutely hell bent on working a local job, and adamant about not going OTR, you may find some difficulty, as a lot of these companies and fleet owners won't hire someone without a certain amount of experience. But, perhaps you might want to try driving a bus, or a garbage disposal truck. It's not the most glamourous occupation out there (then again, neither is driving a dump truck), but it's gainful employment.
If you are absolutely hell bent on starting off on a dump truck, then my advice would be to go directly to a major road construction outfit... forget about small fleet owners. A paving company might ask a contractor to dump at awkward angles which impose a risk, but they're not going to do that with their own vehicles, notwithstanding that a small fleet owner isn't going to hire you without experience, anyhow.
And, topping it off, maybe being unable to find a driving job is a blessing in disguise. I'm sure you've looked through the topics on this forum, and you've come to the realisation that a lot of people are less than content with the way the industry is in its present state. With fuel costs increasing, and the economy sinking as badly as it is, I'd dare say it isn't likely to improve in the immediate future. So, you may want to rethink your stance on the job at Auto Zone, and consider that such a job would leave you time to take some classes at your friendly neighborhood community college or trade school on the side. Or, if you know how to spin records, you could always DJ for me when I climb to the top and become the next famous white rapper, of course :D
But, back on a serious note, never assume that you're out of options, and don't be too proud to take a job which you may feel is below you, if it can help you get to where you want to go. I went to work for Swift when I already had 18 months of driving experience, and was the recipient of a fair bit of trash talk because of it, but it provided me with a paycheck, and that's where I first ran a flatbed (which I had no experience with previously), so it served a purpose. |
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sbatson
Joined: 25 Jan 2008
Posts: 237
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Ok here is the scoop, the dump truck job turned me down said I had to many speeding tickets but the only speeding ticket I had in 5 years was 2 years ago and the only way I would have to many is if they went back 7 and 12 years ago, would this be normal? So my choices are, JB Hunt has me ready or this Owner Op (dont know about this one been there done that) pulling mulch from Dallas to Arkansas or Dallas to Okalohoma and pulling lumber back .34 cpm and $20 tarp pay Monday- Friday( Saturday if I want but home ever weekend) paid 1099 or SRT ( Southern Refrigerated) they are pulling my MVR now. Any ideas. |
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Goin Fer It
Joined: 31 May 2006
Posts: 1383
Location: Couer d'Alene, ID
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| Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 1:58 am Post subject: |
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Quote: So my choices are, JB Hunt has me ready or this Owner Op (dont know about this one been there done that) pulling mulch from Dallas to Arkansas or Dallas to Okalohoma and pulling lumber back .34 cpm and $20 tarp pay Monday- Friday( Saturday if I want but home ever weekend) paid 1099 or SRT ( Southern Refrigerated) they are pulling my MVR now. Any ideas.
Yes! Go back and read our thread beginning the May Trucking thread. My husband at one point would have been grateful to work with Central. Do what you have to do for now to look ahead for you future.
Life is not always easy but stick it through and do what you have to do to keep going.
Goin Fer It's Wife |
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