Garbage truck work.

Pullin2 · Sep 1, 2012

Tank33 said: ↑

I actually ended up taking this garbage job. I needed to try it before I throw it into the fire. They are scrutinizing big time for hiring, so I feel pretty lucky that I got this job right now. I found out the pay is $22 an hour, not $21, I know, it's only a dollar, but still, it's more. Also, even though you have to work every stat, you are paid time and a half for your entire day, and any time over 8 hours on that day is double time.

The trucks are all brand new, and assigned. You get your own unit, brand new 2013 Mack trucks that run on Compressed Natural Gas. Company paid to have me fitted for pants, shorts, shirts, reflective gear, and a coat, stuff I all get to keep even if I quit. I also receive training programs from Fortis BC for natural gas and compressed natural gas, a hydraulics course from the manufacturer, and a course on the electronics/gps/camera system on the trucks, everything is paid for by the company.

Training is paid, full wage plus overtime. Oh, and the best part, turns out us guys on this new contract get the same benefits package as all the other guys. It's the Teamsters union in here, which is the biggest around I believe. The benefits are unreal, very high coverage rates, and company paid premiums.

With all of this, how could I say no? Even if I don't like it, I need some work right now, money has all been spent, and Christmas is just around the corner. If I like it, obviously that's great, but even if I don't like it, I will do it for a few years to get the experience in a sector I have never been in, and experience with compressed natural gas, as more and more companies that do local work are switching over to it. It also gives me a boost on my resume if I ever try to hire on with a courier or a city job, as they are all switching over to natural gas.

Hours are Monday - Friday, 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Your back in the yard by 1:30 or 2:00 at the latest doing a post-trip inspection, while still clocked in can't beat going home at 2:30, miss all the traffic!

If anyone is interested, they are still looking to fill 5 more positions. The company is BFI Canada in Port Coquitlam, BC. Training starts first week of September so if your going to apply, better hurry! You have to go for a road test/pre trip inspection, medical/drug test, and uniform fitting before you are offered the job.
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I have a buddy works for Waste Mgt in Halifax ........ You've got it made compared to WM on the East Coast.

Big Don · Sep 1, 2012

nate980 said: ↑

I thought bfi has been hiring forever lol. Always saw there ads on craigslist since around january, I applied then and got a phone call about an interview around march. I did the garbage thing for 4 days with super save and hated it aand that was roll off bins. Never any routine and the new guys got all the ###### pickups. Sounds like bfi is more organized though!
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Many jobs in the trucking industry are, or at least seem to be, extremely unorganized. And trash companies often are some of the worst companies to work for. As are aggregate haulers and construction companies. In fact, if you truly are looking for "routine" perhaps you need to look into jobs such as Pepsi or Coke, or a beer route. Route driver/sales are usually some of the most "routine" (read that B O R I N G) jobs there are. Or a line haul job. But Nate, realistically here, you are, according to your profile 21 years old with a year or so experience. You will be the "LOW MAN ON THE TOTUM-POLE" in every job you get into, until you have been there for a while. In fact, if you were 50 years old, with 30 years experience, you would still likely start out on the low end of things. The only way to work up, is to stay with a company for enough time to "grow whiskers" and have a bunch of folks hired on after you.

Speedloader said: ↑

I have a buddy works for Waste Mgt in Halifax ........ You've got it made compared to WM on the East Coast.
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From what I've seen of WM, they aren't the best company to work for, anywhere. BUT, it IS a job, and it pays a decent wage for whatever area they are in.

Tank33 · Sep 1, 2012

nate980 said: ↑

What happened to the dump truck job?
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When I found out more about it, it was definitely not a very good deal.

They tell you your paid hourly, the truth is, your paid whatever the boss thinks you deserve. Your pay averages out to about $24 an hour, but sometimes your payday will be less if you get less loads in, they dock your pay. I don't believe in mileage or piece work, why? Because how is it fair to dock a man on his paycheque, for things out of his control like weather and traffic. All jobs should be hourly as far as I am concerned.

I was told they run Kenworths. I show up to find only 2 KW's in a fleet of 20 trucks. Of course, the guys who have them won't give them up for anything. All the rest are Western Stars. Personally, I need to be in a cab I am comfortable in if I am going to spend 10 hours a day in it.

Another downside, they do not have a shop, or mechanics. If any work needs to be done, you are required to take the truck to the shop, and wait with it, or find someone to pick you up and take you back to the yard so you can get into your vehicle and go home. Your not paid one penny for taking the truck to the shop, or for waiting with it. Because of this, they wait until the trucks are basically completely broken down, and than they finally take them in and they are down for a week because there is so many repairs that have built up. If the truck is down for any length of time, guess what? Your not working those days, no spare units. You just kissed half your payday goodbye.

Overall, I think BFI is better than Waste Management. Waste Management is getting too much of an "you can't touch us, your just a number" corporate attitude.

I don't see how this job could be disorganized. The routes are already planned, residential service is almost always the same, new customers are rarely added because well, they can't be! Basically it sounds like just clock in, grab your radio, do a good pre-trip, and head for your area, and follow the GPS.

I am hoping the job is as good as it sounds, and not another one of those jobs where the grass looks green, but once you start working it's pee stained brown grass. Overall, I think it will be a good opportunity.

nate980 · Sep 2, 2012

Big Don said: ↑

Many jobs in the trucking industry are, or at least seem to be, extremely unorganized. And trash companies often are some of the worst companies to work for. As are aggregate haulers and construction companies. In fact, if you truly are looking for "routine" perhaps you need to look into jobs such as Pepsi or Coke, or a beer route. Route driver/sales are usually some of the most "routine" (read that B O R I N G) jobs there are. Or a line haul job. But Nate, realistically here, you are, according to your profile 21 years old with a year or so experience. You will be the "LOW MAN ON THE TOTUM-POLE" in every job you get into, until you have been there for a while. In fact, if you were 50 years old, with 30 years experience, you would still likely start out on the low end of things. The only way to work up, is to stay with a company for enough time to "grow whiskers" and have a bunch of folks hired on after you.

From what I've seen of WM, they aren't the best company to work for, anywhere. BUT, it IS a job, and it pays a decent wage for whatever area they are in.
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I wont disagree on starting at the bottom. Ive done it at alot of places ive worked at lol. But the roll off company i worked for shouldnt be sending rookies into dowtown vancouver in rush hour trying to find bins and keep up with the senior guys. no log books so lots of guys were working 16+ hours. theyve been hiring for a year constantly and its no wonder.

nate980 · Sep 2, 2012

wow, sounds like you were just completly lied too at that gravel hauling company! i would have walked after the first day

Kremorgan · Sep 19, 2012

Tank33 said: ↑

This is much more organized.

They hired 48 positions because this contract is completely brand new. It's a 7 year contract, so as long as you pass the 3 months probation, you know you will have work for 7 years. All of the trucks are brand new, and I mean new, all 2013's. I was told by the manager they are trying to improve there image, so these trucks were all ordered with polished aluminum wheels, hub caps, lug nuts covers, exhaust, the works. As much as you can get on a garbage truck haha. They are suppose to have top notch seats too, but this is coming from a manager who has no driving experience, so I doubt none of this will be true when I see the first truck, they haven't arrived yet.

You never do anyone elses route except your own. It's side loading residential work. You get to work by yourself as the truck has a hydraulic arm on it to pick up the bins. Even all of the bins are brand new. Trucks are state of the art. Monitors in the cab and cameras on the rear and sides of the truck. There is even GPS navigation that is updated in real time. The software was written specifically for this area, these trucks, and what they are doing. If a new customer is added, they can "insert" it into your GPS unit to tell you where to go. Basically, you don't have to worry about finding the right streets or neighborhoods, just watch the screen.

I decided to give this a try because the equipment is brand new, and units are assigned. Truth be told, if this wasn't the case, I likely would have passed. The wage isn't bad to start, the benefits are very good, and the hours are good as well with weekends off. Even if I don't like it, I will have to suffer through it for at least a year. I've been searching for good work for too long and now the bank account is drained. With Christmas coming, I need to make some dough and get some cash put away in the bank before I think about moving jobs again.

If everything is what it looks like, the job LOOKS like a gravy job. I think the guys who lucked out and landed the good job positions will be lifers at BFI because of the union and the hours. Sounds like even BFI employees were trying to move into this new division because they want a new truck and a lot of guys want to get out of the roll off and front end collection, where you usually have to work weekends and you spend a lot of time on construction sites and getting stuck.

Overall, time will tell, like anything else. My biggest concern is that this will quickly turn VERY repetitive. After a month, your going to know every route, each day of the week will always be the same thing. Oh well, you don't have to get out of the cab, your dry and warm in the winter and cool and comfortable in the summer, and your headed home by 2:30 in the afternoon before traffic even begins.
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Is this the new Surrey contract?

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