Ha ha ha!

It's true: A picture's worth a thousand words.

God bless and be safe,
Cub

I am currently in Roadmasters driving school under RRRTP grant [ thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/trucking-schools/33849-free-no-obligation-roadmaster-truck-driving.html ]. I was fortunate enough to talk to a Teamster that has 30+ years in. I was referred to him regarding an apprenticeship program joint deal between RRRTP and Teamsters. He may be coming to the school next Tuesday to discuss it (focus will be on the RRRTP apprenticship. But he said I could still get into those jobs anyway, although that route would be somewhat tougher.

But one of my instructors commented when I mentioned Teamsters is that they don't have the amount of customers (shippers) that they used to, and recommended that with the amount of work you may get at the union job, you might just be better off working for the big carriers (at least initially that hire student drivers).

Actually, this instructor owns his own trucking company with about 70+ trucks. He said he recommends company driving for TODAY'S drivers vs when he started or even 10 years ago. Not unless you are dedicated does he then recommend o/o. (which I'm sure will incite attention from the O/O vs company driver crowd). Keep in mind Trucking was in his family from his Grandfather, so he was more fortunate.

So anyway, I came back to the forum to do some research on Teamsters. You seem to talk highly of them and unions in general.

I'm not here to take sides on which is better, union or non union. I did the Navy for 4+ years; Mom's a nurse (non-union?) and dad is a construction worker (union). There seems to be PLENTY of debate on this forum on the pros/cons of union. I just want to look at the options I'll have available and then take advantage of the best ones for me.

I am willing to relocate. But I prefer GA (atlanta)/ FL (Jacksonville/Orlando) area, since I already have family in those areas. Also near Washington DC and in New York City. But I am willing to relocate pretty much anywhere.

I cannot yet send PMs, but you can send me a PM with your contact info (e-mail/phone). I want to know the exact steps I need to take to get the ball rolling. Requirements, tips, references, which kind of freight to pick (if I have options), relocation, how to earn more $$, what to look out for, etc.

Should I start a new thread?

Please advise. Thanks in advance. All relevant and constructive responses appreciated.

__________________
Builders Transportation, BTC Part 1 - Orientation inside scoop | Builders take TWO: my 6 months at BTC flatbed | Marketing/Promotional CDL jobs. A refreshing alternative to OTR Freight? (coming soon)
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World Conflict/Confusion: The Global need for a Grand Unified Theorem. [YouTube search: "Uniting Waves" or "Grand Unified Theorem"]

well it is true that your first few years may have slow spots - and even the chance of getting laid off for a few months - but in most cases working 10 months as a teamster you will make more than 12 months on the road - away from your life - with a non-union carrier...


as far as your instructor saying we do not have the biz we used to - that is false...


here at roadway we have tonnage numbers that are 4 or 5 times what they were in 1950 (heyday of the organizing movement).

sure we have more competition since derugulation - and you will here a lot of non union guys tell you that our companies are hanging by a thread.... and about to go under - but look at it this way... we have been around for 80 years.... we own 93% of our 600+ properties we own a majority of our equipment -

The company's long-haul units, Yellow Transportation and Roadway Express, together operate some 17,500 tractors and 64,200 trailers from a network of about 670 terminals. YRC Worldwide also has assembled a collection of regional LTL carriers. The company's Meridian IQ unit provides logistics services.


we are not nearly as volatile or shakey as a company that operates on debt...

hell we had 9 billion BILLION in sales last year...


now would you want to invest your future with a company that operates on debt - and has to worry about every penny - who make more on the drivers run (they pay drivers less and pocket more) - but never see that money because it gets paid out in insurance premiums for higher risk drivers... (more accidents)

oh and lest I forget - companies like fed ex and some of the other ltl non union carriers are just on bad year away from disolving...

and a lot of your OTR long haul companies do not own anything - all leased equipment all leased facilities - and have no cash reserves large enough to make it through a 5 to 10 year slow down (ala 1930's depression) like we do...


in the final tally - would you rather gamble with a company that advertises "YOU CAN MAKE ""UP"" TO 55K A YEAR" or would you rather work for a company where you can make 80K or more without killing yourself or running illlegal?

Latanea hit it right on the head. Although we mostly haul chemicals in vans and tankers, the net beneficial outcome is the same. The only items I would add are the cost of medical benefits for you and family (free for us), company paid retirement, paid sick days, paid jury service, paid funeral leave, paid uniforms & boots, paid vacation and home EVERY NIGHT!

I don't know about you or anyone else but I prefer to be home with my wife and kids every night and every weekend. They always grow up so fast. If you enjoy being away from home on the road, then maybe OTR is the way for you. Just remember how much free time you are going to give the company. If you are OK with that, more power to you.

Latanea, I love the phrase "You can make up to 55K a year?" Tell me thats not an opened ended statement. How about some type of base salary? My base pay comes out to $49,171.20 if I worked 8 hours a day all year Monday thru Friday. You and I both know that is not ever going to happen. We both have this little dilemma called overtime. It occurs on a daily basis. Don't even get me started on "bonuses". I tell people that if you see anything about bonuses, run for the hills! There is so much more BS that these OTR companies spew forth to get drivers. I think I am going to throw up. Time for dinner, I need a TUMS. Good luck on whatever you decide.

Drive safe

So what advice can you give for a student driver who needs to build up the necessary experience? Should they still take the student route? Does the teamsters or other union jobs accept student drivers? These are valid questions for someone in my position.

__________________
Builders Transportation, BTC Part 1 - Orientation inside scoop | Builders take TWO: my 6 months at BTC flatbed | Marketing/Promotional CDL jobs. A refreshing alternative to OTR Freight? (coming soon)
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World Conflict/Confusion: The Global need for a Grand Unified Theorem. [YouTube search: "Uniting Waves" or "Grand Unified Theorem"]

the funny thing is the guys that come up with the recruiting campaigns of these different companies all operate like used car salesmen...

shady crew... and usually about 3 class action litigation nightmares happen every year from the big otr companies volcanoe of BS and lies and promises.


maybe those companies are what jethro needs - but if you look at the numbers and weigh the odds you would have to be crazy to work harder for less.


(work smart - not hard)

I also wanted to say thanks to the 6 guys that contacted me and called me in the past few days - for some of you I hope I got you pointed into the right direction - anf for the others feel free to call anytime if you need any help or advise.

in njust the past year or so we have been taking on students - I know ABF even has its own "school" now....

the one problem I see with this all is that it is kind of a set up for a new guy...


a HUGE gamble...

look at it this way - what I do is a pretty sweet gig for your first driving job. - and roadway still has its policies in place geared at experienced drivers...

now - new guys will scratch a thing or two - maybe have a good wreck
(like I did - a few errr... several times)

so what happens is you give a new guy a 100K a year job and he f's it up by having a wreck...

swift or a company like that would shrug and make you watch a video - roadway would kick you to the curb...


so it is "kinda" raw to put a newbie in a situation with the proverbial carrot dangling in front of him - and he blows it all by "learning" on the job...


we hired 5 BRAND new drivers in cincy last year - and so far they have done well... I held my breath - and really hoped any boo-boo's would be overlooked... our management is slow to change to the fact that 1. we will have to advertise now to get drivers.... and 2. we will have to accept newer and younger guys

why?

supply and demand.

not enough qualified clean cut guys out there - who have good records.

Well, when looking at it from just about all angles, if one COULD get the union jobs you proclaim as the first job, then great. This is assuming they are a GOOD driver, or at least a careful driver. But then again, what are the wait times? Do they allow relocation assistance? Or at least paid room/board for their training session? How long is the training?

Even if I do get accepted straight to a company with no experience (just the school), hhould I really take it? Or take 3-6 months at the starter company (Swift, Maverick, TMC, Werner, etc) and then switch? In the mean time work my way into the union job? Go for it if I feel confident enough now?

Wouldn't want to blow something like that.

Okay. Now let's get some info out there for OWNER/OPERATOR opportunities. I know this would be 1-2 years out, but interested to know how they make out with the same companies. My other Teamster contact (or maybe elsewhere on the forum), I heard about o/o doing VERY WELL with union companies, but I could have been mistaken, or that may have been "...years ago"

Or does this (o/o) deserve it's own thread?

Oh, I cannot yet send pms. So if anyone else has good info about these union jobs, either send me a pm or go to 123collegedegree.com and use the 'contact us' link.

Latanea, I'll try to call you later.

Already got the pre-hire from Werner, and several others will be in my hand by Tuesday of next week. Boy the time goes by fast when you spend 11 hours in school..

Speaking of which, so many of my classmates are asking which "starter company" I'll end up taking or are looking into. I can't help but think that the admissions ladies (and most of ths students) stress "they're mostly the same....take the ones that offer the most money." But I laugh to myself when I think about this thread. (because money/benefits/hometime is the central focus of the union vs non-union debate) But I'm researching it somewhat thoroughly before I start smiling and celebrating the union deal. Understandable, right?

I have no problem paying my dues, but not one penny more than I have to.

__________________
Builders Transportation, BTC Part 1 - Orientation inside scoop | Builders take TWO: my 6 months at BTC flatbed | Marketing/Promotional CDL jobs. A refreshing alternative to OTR Freight? (coming soon)
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World Conflict/Confusion: The Global need for a Grand Unified Theorem. [YouTube search: "Uniting Waves" or "Grand Unified Theorem"]

Heck, I'm clean-cut and I've a great driving record... Now it's just a matter of getting qualified.

God bless and be safe,
Cub