Concrete truck to OTR am i crazy?

Elimillsap,

I guess I should tell you the whole story, and explain what i know about the unions here (CA), so you can better direct your answer or advice...

I got my CDL through International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 70 driving school in Oakland, CA. Their local does mostly city deliveries of food and beverage products. Cost of school was $3,800.00. I paid cash.

The day I got my CDL, the program director told me Teamsters also has a heavy equipment/construction school (the dirty dog knew i wanted to work construction). The school was another $5,800.00 (five years ago). Part of the program was Class A CDL school... so i would have been paying to get my license twice. And, you had to join the union (another $800.00). There was no guarantee you would be put to work if you joined the union. Their were more than 900 people on the out-of-work list. The foreclosure crisis in CA was in full swing...

My understanding is there is also a Laborers Union in CA for construction workers, and an Operating Engineers Union too. I think the Operating Engineers is associated with the Teamsters equipment/construction school.

Again, im interested in driving a Class B vehicle for the construction industry... like a water truck, cement mixer,dump truck... but paying $5,800.00 or n more to go to Teamsters heavy equipment school seems crazy because i already havea Class A CDL. And, although i would love to learn to drive heavy machinery like back hoes, bull dozers, and graders, i cant justify the cost unless theres a guarantee of a job.

How do i approach the union about hiring for a water truck job, for example? Or do i approach the company? How do i find out which companies are hiring if they dont advertise their open positions? What traits and characteristics are they looking for? Is there a "better" way of presenting my qualifications that would get them interested in me? Will they be interested in me (someone off the street) or am i just wasting my time?

Id appreciate any advise you can give me! I dont mean to hammer you with questions, but i dont know anybody in the unions so i dont have anywhere to direct my questions...

By the way, i was OTR as an independent contractor for a few years. If you have any questions for me, i would be happy to answer them and share my experiences.

Thanks again!

 

Ellillsap,
I think i spelled your name wrong! I'm still working in bulk cement pneumatic tankers. I guess I'm mostly interested in the union because of the benefits. However, I had a union interview today. I paid particular attention to what you said, and payed close attention to the "attitudes" during the interview. I think you were right.... I mean REALLY RIGHT!!! I appreciate your honesty. You told me enough to dispel the myths and see reality! You saved me a lot of wasted time at the company where I interviewed. Thanks!!!

 

Thinking about applying for a readymix driver. position in the Chicago area......Any advice??