Unemployment

I think this is another term for a "yard dog" or a "shag driver", or a "spotter", which is actually an Ottawa driver. Ottawa is one of, and arguably the largest, the manufacturing companies that makes the yard trucks used at the larger distribution and manufacturing facilities across the US. These trucks have air brakes, a fifth wheel that raises and lowers hydraulically (so as the driver does not have to crank the dolly legs on the trailer all day long), a fifth wheel release button (so as the driver doesn't have to pull a fifth wheel release lever from outside the cab, and automatic transmissions. These trucks have very short wheelbases and therefore allows for more manuverablility in tight spaces.

Operating these trucks takes just as much knowledge as driving OTR, with the obvious exception of shifting. You will still need to know how to couple/uncouple a trailer, the understanding of an air brake system's operation, and, most importantly, the skills required to back a 53' trailer into a dock/drop yard. You won't need to have the knowledge of logging, as you will (in most cases) never leave the facility, nor would you go beyond 100 air miles should you leave said facility.

Hope this helps.

 

The good thing about that would be local type job, home everyday, maybe 5-6 dys/week Never got it straight from their mouth---will sharpen up your backing skills if so!

 

Great 'job description,' you a recruiter--LOL

 

I worked as a spotter for a large chemical factory in southern IN after I received a citation that I thought was going to end my OTR career (long story). My shift there was 3 12 hrs, one 6, off three days. We rotated days off/worked every 4 weeks. One month you'd be working Mon-Thurs, the next Thurs-Sun. Wasn't a bad gig, and I actually liked doing it. Too bad it just wasn't enough money for me. Only paid $10/hr in the poor economy that is the southwestern Indiana/southeastern Illinois/western Kentucky area commonly known as the tri-state. Granted my bills were lower than they are in other areas, but regardless of your monthly payments, once you get used to makeing $600-$1000/wk, it's hard to switch to $350

 

yep...a recruiter without a cause

 

Is that why you wanted his name & address??!!

 

yard dogs make substantially less then a proper driver and probably are embarassed to see real drivers but they are probably very nice people

 

Dr.Greenback if you plan on being a yard dog you should probably change your name to Dr.stay on the porch back:smt082