Does Class B Passenger bus experience help me towards my goal of Class B straight/dump truck?

Can't you just get a Class B job with a Class A license? I thought you could, guess I was wrong.

 

Those class A jobs you’re looking at are still training companies that are self insured. The companies that can actually get insured will have a completely different set of requirements.

 

First, it isn't about class B or A, it is what the truck is.

AND it isn't all about insurance; it is about experience.

Watch these drivers work; there is a skill needed to put the load right where the customer wants it or to follow instructions and put the truck where it needs to be.

Most semi truck drivers don't need to think much, and seeing 99% are steering wheel holders, 6 months is all that is needed.

 

No, the bus experience will not transfer into dump trucks or other vocational type work. Speaking from direct experience, since I began my career at 18 as a school bus mechanic and driver, then moved into commuter bus, they are far too different of jobs.

Dump trucks are a unique animal with overhead obstructions and tip over hazards being critical. Most employers don't want to be the first dump truck you drive to be theirs, too easy to roll it over or hit something, and they really don't care at all about tractor trailer experience unless you were doing open deck or hauling heavy equipment. My dad and brother owned an asphalt paving company, so I got a lot of dump truck experience in addition to my bus experience, and can tell you they are very different jobs.

It is easier to transition into dump trucks if you do other vocational type work first, such as fuel oil or propane delivery or get on with a big construction company and drive one of their flatbed material trucks or use your class A to haul around equipment for them. Once they see that you are a good driver that can handle being off pavement, makes good decisions, can work independently and are willing to do the manual labor required, they will likely consider putting you into a dump truck or cement mixer.

 

As for manual labor with dump truck gigs, most entry level dump truck drivers also do labor on the job site when there is nothing to haul unless you get hired onto a union or union scale job. So it is reasonable to expect to be shoveling material after it is dumped to help spread it out, helping move tools and equipment around and other labor tasks. On our paving crews the dump truck driver would often help rake the edges, tamp the tight spots and clean up after the last load of asphalt was hauled. Then they would help load up the equipment and chain it down on the trailers to move it to the next jobsite. Same on our pipeline/waterline crews, there was always manual labor to do in-between loads to haul.

Also, depending on the product you may be climbing into the dump body with a shovel to dislodge stuck material. Think about asphalt as it cools down or heavy clay soils that clump in the corners of the body. If that stuff clumps up it can build up enough to become dangerous, causing a tip over condition when you try dumping. Even if not dangerous, it reduces your hauling capacity and is frowned upon.

Yes, dump truck driving is mostly no touch, just drive, once you have paid your dues and get in with a good company but an entry level job will likely include labor and even some days where you are asked to run a loader or other machine instead of driving. One bonus for you, since you have a class A, a good construction company may be interested in you if you are willing to learn how to operate machines and load them on the trailer to move them from job to job. That is very valuable, especially for smaller construction companies or specialized crews like asphalt or water/sewer line construction or even municipal government road crew jobs.

Now, something to think about with dump truck jobs, unless you are in a fair weather state they are seasonal. You will need to be prepared to be laid off for several months each year, so the hourly pay rate really is not as good as it seems unless you have a second job for the off-season. Many dump truck drivers I know will do the seasonal or casual plowing for the state in the winter, or deliver fuel/propane, so they have year round income. You mention Illinois DOT, so I presume you are in IL, which probably doesn't have that many year-round dump truck jobs.

Nothing worthwhile comes free, we all must be willing to earn our place in life, including the luxury of having a somewhat easy time at work. Do yourself a favor and get your tank and hazmat endorsements. It will really help open up your vocational driving job opportunities.

 

I read the OP's post twice, and parts of it 4 times. Hey OP what is your goal? Describe the job and the vehicle in your answer and not how employees ought to be treated and goals for humanity, if that's possible. A helpful answer would be like "I want to drive dump trucks M-F and understand that means winters will be slow." Or another example could be "I want to drive a sleeper truck but only 5 days a week." Something like that which indicates your goal to do Class A or B, what type of truck, and so on.

The jobs you don't like and consider an insult or their pay is insulting are working well for some people in some places and it only matters what that employee thinks about his job. Some people make decisions you won't make and you'll need to learn to carry on as if you are not in charge of their life's decisions. It may delay the Revolution's fulfillment. So be it.