yard jockey questions

I have worked as a "switcher" at my current employer on and off for 3 years. I drive OTR when im not doing that. I can only "switch" for so many months before I have to go back over the road. We do it at a few paper mills up here in Maine. Its actually a lot of work. You have to constantly get in and out of the truck hooking / unhooking airlines, and opening and closing doors. It's a lot of foot work. And somedays you don't even have time for a 15 min. break during a 12 hour shift.

Most guys we try to hire can't cut it because you have to be an exceptional backer. We drive backwards further everyday then we do forwards. Most people we try to hire can't back for nothing and destroy trailers and or buildings in the mill. It's quite hilarious to watch guys with "20 years" driving truck come in and just stave stuff all up.

The place I work for requires a CDL and minimum 2 years also, for those wondering.

 

I work for a big company in a warehouse and got a backfill hostler position because already had my class a. In a 12 hr shift I've moved over 100 trailers. It can get crazy at times. Keeping up with paperwork and the live loads and moody drivers. The live loads ill have their trailer positioned at a straight shot out of the yard and in a well lit spot at night for hooking up. I try to get them out ASAP.

 

Different employers call the job different things. Some employers call that job a "yard driver", while others call it a "switcher". Just like how UPS calls line runs "Feeders". Same job, different name.

I will sometimes drive a yard horse on my overtime nights. On my regular nights I'm a city P/DC driver. It's a boring job, but it pays better than what you'll find OTR.

 

I'm guessing you've done it before...LOL....it's not for everyone...me included

 

Just fyi.. I'm a "yardjockey" out of Warren michigan and make over 68k a year.. I came from tmc which preaches around the same 1st year and you must stay out a week at a time.. here I work 12hrs a day 5-6days a week and go hone to sleep in my bed every night..it's not all glorious though it's a tough fast paced job that doesn't seem to be able to keep a single employee for over a year.. I'm only 3 months into it and some days I want to go on a rampage and other days not so much.. just putting on my experience switching isn't for everyone . But if you want to lose a few lbs and go home every night and still make over 1000$ a week (in most cases) I'd suggest it . I seen a posy saying 12$a hour.. I couldn't imagine . It must be a slow plant?? Here we do over 75 moves a night.. good luck

 

I started out as a yard jockey 10 years ago. I had a cdl and no experience but the company I worked for was a large local LTL company that used the yard jockey position to train guys that wanted to become drivers. One of the best things I can say is shoot for an LTL company so you primarily move roll doors. Your body will thank you.

 

Anybody know A yard in Ontario ca that will let u train or a School for a Yard Hostler?

 

I am also a yard dog, but I don't do any shuttles off the private lot. On my job application it says "switcher" so do you think I am entitled to over time?

 

I've been a " yard dog" for 3years now..I started out helping out on weekends for my company..then came the day when my old man wanted me off the road so I actually went to a temp agency and told them I had experience with a "switcher" truck ( yard dog is can also be called a switcher) I was sent to a local company and they hired me right away. Pay from the company I WAS worki,g for was $17 an hour. It can be physical if the company wants wheel chocks and Jack stands in. That is extra time up n down those #### steps...I quit cuz no,over time was paid even,though I never ran shuttle runs, I stayed on private property, so I'm in the process of trying to find out if I was entitled to over time..Good Luck..I actually like the place I'm switching at now..

 

All the yard dogs I ever saw seemed stressed to the max