Potential driver from OR, have a few questions (especially for IITR grads)

Good GAWD, what is the shop labor rate?

I asked the boss for about 40% of the shop labor rate, and I think I got it, though memory fails. I don't know of ANY shop charging less than 60 / hr for labor, and some bigger shops, truck shops, and dealers are over well over $100/hr, and you should NOT settle for less than 35% of the flat labor rate quoted and billed.

The boss may whine and moan, but he needs to understand that you are NEVER costing him money when you work for just flat rate, every dollar he's paid you has been a profitable one to him. If he's charging 80 and paying you 30, that's $50 of cash flow to pay his overhead. If the shop labor rate is $100/hr, you should be getting 35-45 for every billed hour.

I bit it big at times when business was slow, but when it was fast, and I had fast work and lots of it, I did very well. I gave up all overtime and we arranged for my "vacation" to be based on the hours paid, not days worked. I didn't really care, since it just meant giving up hourly pay to defer to time off.

 

just stay with what you got... the money hasn't gotten any better in trucking either.

 

Here's an example of a local driving position in your area Clackamas, OR http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/trp/3681468055.html

 

Hi MX, I would also be leery of what the job placement lady at IITR says. Maybe talk to her again and see if she can throw you some names of some of "those companies". That kind of money is a lot for a what if. You might want to go straight to the source and talk to drivers of some day cab trucks you see running around or possibly even go to their offices. Here is a VERY short list of places you might try. I think a couple of them will take trainee's but am not completely sure. I would not rule out any fuel companies such as Carson, they currently have an ad (I think) for a mobile refueler and you would only need a class b for that. Also instead of looking at just trucking companies you might look at day cabs around town from manufacturing places because...........you never know. Don't forget some of the LTL carriers like Old Dominion and such, some of those places (ABF for one) will have you work the dock then train you. There is an ad currently running on Craigslist for a hostler down on Swan island but they might require prior experience in the industry.

Columbia-Maletis (I think they are related)
Sysco
McCabe (might be McClaine now)
Mutuial Materials
U.S. Food Service
Food Services of Amercia
Carson
Highway Oil
Ross Island Sand and Gravel
Cemix
ABF
Saia

 

There are few good paying local jobs in the Portland area. I have been looking for something local for over a year now and have turned down jobs left and right because of lousy pay and it's going to be even tougher for someone with no experience. All i can say is good luck and be prepared to go OTR for a year just in case.

 

I went to IITR about a year and a half ago, and got hired on a Sygma right after I got my CDL it's only a few blocks from the school in Clackamas. Its a very physical job but they do hire right out of school, its not for everyone but the pay is really good, my first full year and I cleared $59,000. I'm only out of town one night a week and have 3 nights off but thats usually not the case when you first start, the most I've been out of town was 3 nights but that rarley happens.

 

You may want to try the GSF (Golden State Foods ) distribution center in Portland, if its not too far away. Its delivering fast food and its a hands on deal , but they pay very well and its a home most nights local type job. I worked for them in the NC center for over 30 years, retired in 2011. Not too sure if they hire straight out of school, because some of the driving can get dicey , going around small parking lots and dealing with drive-thru traffic etc. but its definitely worth a look. I was making over 70,000 a year when I retired , and had to run only 3 trips a week...on my scheduled route...thats only12 days a month....like I said worth a look. Good Luck.

 

I went to IITR,good enough school I think but getting local work just out of school will be tough.
There are some jobs but they pay dirt,I had do do about a year OTR before I could land a decent paying local gig.
Good luck with it,it can be a tough road,might reconsider staying where you're at if you have a job,I lost my job after 24 years and had to do something.