Help!! Before I Tro In Da Towel-disgusted

My plan for coming off the road includes joining the Teamsters and looking into local construction type driving. My Dad is a Teamster and works for the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority). He hauls all their construction equipment and supplies used in building new and repairing existing power lines owned and operated by the TVA. With this job, he works four 10 hr days a week and has a three day weekend every weekend. I realize this does no good to a feller in Missouri, but it is possible that you could look towards a Teamster Local that services Columbia. A brief search of Teamster.org showed me that the local which covers Columbia is probably based out of St. Louis. If you're dead set against the union, why not contact some of the construction companies in your area and see what sort of driving positions they have available.

 

hey NY, i feel your pain first hand. i know what your going thru. i came off the otr on 12/31/05 myself and have been doing the local thing since then. let me tell you thru my experience it is feist or famine. it's always something with these locals. one thing or the other. and otr companies have a bad habit of screwing up a dac so the locals look down on that. i'm learning the hard way that it really is who you know out there. i have been so screwed around this past year that i have actually been looking at going back otr but the problems the are another subject. and that is the last thing in the world i want to do. just try to keep your head up and things will work out, at least thats what i am told.

 

As some have suggested you can try some things in the truck driver field ie: yard dog driver, but also you can try for Receiving manager, etc. If you want to stay off the road, and I understand because just after 3 years I'm well ready to stop right now, just find a way to make it work and don't give up!

Try going by the unemployment office which in some states is now renamed 'Employment' office, because they have job listings and will actively help you get a job you are qualified for.

If you have to go back drive a few more months even, at least now you are focused on getting out of the job. It does take some planning as I am finding out myself because I am faced with making this change now also.

Keep praying, God will answer.

"Justadriver"

 

Hey driver I might know a company that could get you home 2-3 nights a week with weekends off. They are a flatbed company. If you are interested PM me and I will give you their website. I am not a recruiter. MJ

 

check,Estes,CXconrail,Yellow,Roadway,Fedex,UpS,Walmart, also Holland companies,these all have line haul and ltl freight rtes ,home daily or twice a week. Take the time,go drive out to see these people personally and sell yourself,tell them what you told us. Also,check at a mail distribution warehouse or large Post Office, alot of small fleets haul mail daily and are home daily,if you have a clean record and can be bonded this would be great for you. good luck.

 

Maybe independent CDL schools could rely on your skills to help instruct.

 

I got cybergal sending it to you. MJ

 

Hello new_york_1 and WELCOME to the boards,

I have nowhere near your level of driving experience/expertise however I have, like you, been trying to clear myself of the driving "field" since '03.
I tried doing a mechanic gig for about a year after a minor fender bender (Freightshaker into Mercedes-Benz in 4/03), yet the pay was horrible so I again went back to OTR.
I now am at a Driver Lease Service or "Mill" (as some refer to these as), yet I am staying busy and am local wherein I'm home almost every night, depending of course upon what the run(s) require.
The road pay is a little less than OTR HOWEVER I am not setting at docks waiting, and waiting for some schmuck to load/unload me.
Most of these runs pay hourly and the equipment varies by customer with most trucks being sleepers and slip-seaters which both is and is not good.

I'm not familiar with the size of Columbia, Missouri, yet there may be some type of Driver Service there.

There are quite many excellent suggestions from the knowledgable here at The Truckers Report and I hope any of the many may be of help to you.

Remember: Frustration breeds misery and Misery LOVES Company!!

I Hope The BEst of WELLness 2-u-n-urs-n ALL (ad)ventures!!