please help!?!

I got my cdl A class around 10/2013 in Illinois. Where i currently reside. I decided to do it on my own, so I studied and took the test. It costs me $50 to get my permit. I have a friend that works at a beer distributor called Chicago Beverage Systems that's part of a big corporation called Reyes Holdings Company. Now he told me that they're hiring a spotter, so having my permit I went to apply. The supervisor said I can use their tractor trailer to practice in the warehouse parking lot so I can get practice for the skills and road test. Keep in mind I had to study for the pre trip test too. So I got hired as a temp for the meantime. A month passed and I went to take the test to get my cdl A class license. I got hired as a spotter in the warehouse getting payed $16 an hr. Now the rest of the night warehouse crew, were getting payed $22 an hr driving forklifts and they don't have a cdl. I thought to myself. Wtf. So it turns out, the union and company signed a contract. The contract states that the starting pay for new employees is $16 an hr. And that in 5 yrs it will bump up to $22 an hr. I went on with the job, worked almost a year. Then I decided to become a delivery driver for the company instead. Now the pay is different, delivery drivers get payed commission. By the cases and keg. There are alot of routes in the company but in order to have a great $$$ rt you need to prove yourself and be there a long time. Like 10 plus years. There's routes that make 50k to 100k. So I decided to embark on the journey on becoming a delivery driver. At first I was in the bull pen they like to call it because they switched me from rt to rt. Now i finally got my own downtown route with a straight truck. The amount of cases that go out in that route are between 75 cases to 200 cases. I get payed $20 base pay then .46 cents per case and $1.50 per barrel. Do the math. It isn't much. Also, they're making changes to all combo 1 man starter routes. So everyone is going out with less cases.

I have been looking at other jobs. That pay hourly. I found one that pays $21.80. Its a logistics company that service Starbucks Coffee. Meaning they deliver to starbucks stores. They've had that account for 15 yrs now. So its a secure job. Benefits. Union. Overtime!!! They're telling me that drivers make $70,000 a year. Local and if you have doubles and triples endorsement you can drive out to St. Louis or Minneapolis. Drop the load that's it.

Idk what to do. I'm 28 yrs old. Married and have a 7 month daughter. My wife doesn't work, she wants to go to school and get a career. Wait for a great route in a couple of years like 5 plus yrs and make 50k+ delivering beer or make deliveries to starbucks stores, getting paid hourly with overtime making 70k+ now?

Please help. Any advice guys?

 

What does your gut tell you?

What would best benefit your family?

Follow your gut instinct.

Hurst

 

I'd be all over that Stabucks run IMHO. You have a family to take care of, and that baby isn't going to stay a baby long... Clothes, food, toys, shots, etc... add up quick. Plus if you don't have a second income, when she starts classes, your going to be hurting even more cause your going to have to have babysitting, or something along those lines to think about as well. SO I would stack now as much as I could.

 

If the pay is that good, go for Starbucks. Those flunky beverage city jobs will always be there is you decide to go back.

 

Money in hand is always worth more than a hope in a bull pen

 

My guy tells me go for it.

 

Haha. Gut*

 

Go for the union job. There's a reason why unions have a low turnover.

 

Hey futbol, here's my 2 cents or maybe a couple of bucks worth. When I was around your age I belonged to the operating engineers Union. Had my own business, doing well but hated the union partnership. Gave up my card and went nonunion. Still did pretty well but I had to pay for all my own benefits and the like. Walked away from 100% medical, annuity, legal help, vacation pay, need I say more. Still not pro Union but not against either. Just don't like to work slow if you know what I mean. Would have had 36 yrs. in at this point. Possibly a chance as a business agent, but nothing less than a permanent full time position. If I knew than what I no now things might be a lot different. No regrets, it is what it is. Think it through kid. Seems like the beer job keeps making changes in the pay scale. I agree with the rest of the gang, it's seems pretty clear to me. STARBUCKS.

 

I would take the Starbucks job and then immediately get a double/triple endorsement and go from there.