18 wheels or trash hauling?

The OTR/regional fleets are cutthroat operations that don’t value the drivers, Stay Away!

And Run Away from automotive milk runs, the scheduling is unrealistic.

Be willing to relocate to a decent job. Trash drivers are “customer forward”, especially residential. Lots of “you missed” calls on the NexTel, especially after holiday schedule changes (customer is lying). Republic Services, in a bigger town, will pay by hour, but other markets may use “Chinese Overtime”. Be careful about that. And try to avoid residential in “born yesterday “ subdivisions that have no maps. The realtor office may not have a map, either. Great pay in any division, but only residential is a day job.

Hogan Trucking doesn’t know their ### from a hole in the ground. Recruiter will say “expansion”, and driver trainer will tell you “we’ve lost 15 stores from the D.C., looking for another job” before lunch on your first day. I put down “poverty” for my quitting Hogan.

Tanker jobs hauling industrial wastes are filthy jobs. Can be great money, but chaotic scheduling.

I’d strongly suggest considering FedEx Ground, working for a contractor, or perhaps buy the route for yourself. Same as bread routes, etc. where they change hands for money from one contractor to another. Don’t be afraid of doubles, just put the heavy one in front. When you check craigslist, search on “FedEx” and “Fed Ex”. No benefits, most likely. From FedEx Ground, perhaps migrate to Express, or Freight (separate businesses).

Maybe Walmart, if you’re near a D.C. Their craigslist ads speak of $80,000 a year.

Stay away from food, there’s no money in it.

 

There is fantasy land, then there is what is most likely to happen. There is a better then 50 50 chance you are going to lose that house. Most Judges are going to give custody of the kids to their mother then the main domicile where the kids are. Then you are going to be forced to make child support as well. I suggest you take that OTR job if you can. Adultery is grounds for divorce, but adultery in most cases will not be cause for a Judge to call a mother unfit.

So many times in these forums when I make such a reply I refer back to the situations I have witnessed. In this case, I am again. Men generally lose these expensive battles. 30 years ago I would be saying bend over and get ready because that Judge is going to do you good. Today it's not that certain, but still very much possible.

You have a problem, Fix it and move on. I still suggest going OTR at least until your kids are grown. I hope my post is wrong. However, based on my observations I doubt it.

 

There has been enough family counseling, I’ll just add that you should be able to find a local gig for more than $12.50 per hr. That’s just pain insulting, local driving jobs start around $20 here, with some drivers making the upper $20s.

 

Take the trash hauling job

 

Take the trash job. While you're around town keep an eye out for better local jobs.
The really good employers seldom have to advertise for drivers.

 

Seriously consider taking your share of the house sale and move to a better job market.

That’s what smart people do. It’s called Brain Drain.

Smarter People Are More Likely To Move To Cities

Unless friends and family can help you get a truly excellent job, leave the small town and move to a better job market.

 

Anything not otr is aleaya the answer

 

The trash industry is changing. At my division all employees are by the hour with time and a half over 40. All missed stops are recorded through photographs. The company decides if or if not to send back for a not out customer. But if not picked up and not reported you will go back. Customers first. Garbage is awesome.

 

I think I was about 11 or 12 when my parents split. It really sucked, lots of drama. But if you handle yourself well and stay in your kid's life they will forgive you.