I have a very important question: O/O or local driving job?

To the OP....listen to the man above^^^^^^^^....you'll never regret it.......^^^^^^^^^

 

Your marriage is suppose to be a 50/50 partnership,listen to your wife otherwise there may be some arguments .You'll get other chances to buy even a nicer trk later on.You would have to buy insurance fuel ect ect so do you think you would be gaining ahead if you buy this trk and work for that other company?

 

I'm with the rest......take the local and lock down the retirement and grow the family. You can buy one later . I promise you, trucks will still be here.

( Psst, I took early retirement and bought my own.....no regrets but logistically, I should have stayed put. Prolly have a few less grey hairs )

Good luck !!

 

I definitely vote for the union job. Being an O/O is a "lifestyle" or a hobby best suited to those who don't need to work much. Many O/O are just pensioners retired from a really good union job or the military or other state or federal job. They did their 20 to 30 years and are set up nice with a juicy pension.

You can buy the truck if you still want after you retire from that rare and hard to find union job.
Most O/O take home 30K to 50K a year take home, after all the BS and lost time is considered. They get no paid benefits, no pension, and especially no thanks or brotherhood.

 

I was in a situation somewhat like you 15 years ago working at a job I loved but getting nowhere financially had chance to buy a nice t600 off of my brother for a decent price came with job that paid above average was ready to jump and be O/O like big brother then at last minute a teamster job opened up running team 1st year then local after year...I was torn on what to do wanted the great bennys but didnt wanna team ..wanted a big shiny kw with all the bells and whistles not drive a stripped down fld...what to do everybody had an opinion for me...well I took the union job ran team 3 months then went local 5 years down the road many guys retired I started climbing up in seniority ..was it rough at first yes it was but 15 years later I have great retirement building have bid run new truck not saying I have it perfect by no means but Im very happy sleep in Holiday Inn not a sleeper paid well $33.00 a day meal allowance good insurance ..well my brother the O/O did well for a while then the job ended because big company cut rates in half he went through a few more companies said screw trucking he wasnt working for less than he did 25 years ago hes out of trucking now ...Im glad I went with the union job instead of becoming a big rigger..you can always buy a truck down the road if the local gig dont work...proud member teamsters local #175

 

I worked local LTL for a lot of years and any union job started off as casual and no seniority. Have a friend worked a for a grocer 10 years casual. Never made it on the regular board. I assume you know people there so get the real story. Factor in the benefits and it's a great opportunity.

 

Take that local union job. I'm not even sure what there would be to think about. Good deals on trucks come and go all the time, but a job like you are describing is just to good to pass up. If it doesn't work out there will be other trucks for sale. I just hope I find myself in the position you are in one day.

 

I too would take the union job, you might have to pay some medical for you both but (almost) certainly not as much as paying out of pocket. How often does the local gig have layoffs? How long before you are on the board? (If you know). How many drivers are there? How strong is the local? Not all unions are created equal. Theres alot to be said for being home every night.

 

why not have no problems from my 97'

 

As much as I love what I'm doing I can't be syre but I am pretty sure I would park my rig and take that job if you don't want it. The cost of healhcare out of pocket will get the biggest potion of that net difference.