Wasn't exactly sure where to put this, but here it is. Most of you will probably call me stupid, or ask wth I am thinking.. but Im going to ask anyway.
My story:
I got my CDL November 8th of 2010. All endorsements, but have lost my hazmat because I didn't retake the test. I went out 3 weeks with an OTR flatbed company, when I decided it was not for me. I have since then been driving for a Scrap Hauling company for a year and 3 months. I work 10-14 hours a day, 5 days a week, with a Saturday every once in awhile. I steadily bring home $900-$1100 every 2 weeks. With a monthly bonus that averages around $100-$250. A quarterly bonus that is around $100-$250, and every few months, we get an extra bonus. I also get holiday bonus', for Christmas I got $800. Now with the bonus', I know that seems pretty good... but those don't always come. I made $31000 last year, in 11 months pretty much. I have mediocre health insurance, vacation, and paid holidays. It's enough money to survive for Me, My baby mama, and 2 kids( 2 and 3 years old), but no necassarily enough to have the nicer things, or have fun. I lug around a 38' dumb trailer, with a 03 Mack Vision.
As of lately, I have been receiving calls out the ying yang for other companies. I have been debating either waiting after I take my paid vacation(June 23-30) before I hop ship. But I was wondering if anyone thought it would be smarter if I just waited til I got my 2 years of experience to hop ship? I am basically looking for a Monday - Friday gig, making better money.. Do you think it is smarter to stick it out where I am at, and wait til I hit my 2 years, and get a really good gig.. or just hop ship right after vacation.. and drive there for a year, and then start looking for a really good gig?
I am the type of person who goes somewhere, and sticks it out there for as long as I can.. before driving truck, I was in the Iron Workers Union for 4, almost 5 years.. I just don't want to be seen as a ship jumper.. even if I go somewhere else for a year, and then go somewhere else.
Any and all opinions are welcome. I just feel like I shouldn't leave what I KNOW, and everything I have EARNED where I am at, unless it is the perfect deal. Call me stubborn lol.
Now for the companies I have gotten calls from.
Venezia Transpoort: New Middletown, OH (25 minutes from my house)
Monday - Friday. Dry Bulk I believe. $800-1100 a week. Up to 2 Saturdays a month. Home EVERY night. Not sure about anything else, haven't talked to the guy yet. Anyone know anything about this job? Opinions on it?
AIM Logistics. Youngstown, OH (I think)(25 minutes from my house)
Monday - Friday. Van. $800-1100 a week. No weekends I believe. Home EVERY night. Not sure about anything else. Anyone know anything about these guys? opinions?
I turned down JB Hunt flatbed, local, $925 garunteed a week.. 10-12 hours a day. 5 days a week.. Out of Ellwood City, hour away from the house.. Was just to nervous about them doing the good old bait and switch in orientation.
ANY AND ALL ADVICE, OPINIONS, OR HELP is appreciated.. THANKS! I don't get nervous about ANYTHING, but when it comes to changing jobs, I get flipped out. I HAVE to provide for my family.. no questions.
Ned your help/advice/opinion
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by xFreeWord420x, Mar 21, 2012.
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I worked 2 and 1/2 years with McElroy Trucklines right out of school and my first year I made almost 40 grand, but I was gone Sunday afteroon until Friday evening every week and my wife and kids were starting to view me as a "visitor" to the household and I decided to go "local".
Then I got a job "local" with Bluelinx. It is a Union shop but I am not in the Union because Virginia is a "Right to work State" and I don't see any benefit to paying dues into a "non-enforceable" situation AND because of many other personal feelings that I won't share. BUT, I get paid $15.65 an hour PLUS time and a half for every hour over eight (8) that I work in any given day), regardless of my weekly total. The benefits are good....I have the "best" medical plan for a "family" (wife and 2 kids), it costs roughly $200 per paycheck (twice a month) and covers 90% with low deductables. Free Dental, Free Life Insurance (20K), Free Vision, and after one year of employment - one week (5 days) paid vacation plus 2 paid "personal days". After 2 Years employment, 2 weeks (10 days) paid vacation.
However....I am really starting to HATE IT.
"Local Only" companies are apparently under the impression that since you are "allowed the privilege" of "being home every night" that you are their "slave" and will work 10 to 12 hours per day with multiple stops. If I am working 10-12-14 hours a day, I would much rather be doing it DRIVING THE TRUCK 600 MILES. But, working 10-12-14 hours a day with anywhere from 6 to 13 stops covering the geographical area of 2 states and having to peel and un-peel tarps, strap and re-strap straps, and spending more time teaching forklift operators how to remove product than actually DRIVING is taking a toll on me.
If I were a single man with no kids I would go back O.T.R. Flatbed in a HEARTBEAT. But, I am kinda in the same boat as you.....it seems (at least in my part of the world), being allowed to be "home every night" WITHOUT being an "O/O" means "SCREWS TO YOU" and I'm not happy about it
Joescheppae Q and FloTheWaitress Thank this. -
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