Well to start off I'm 24 from Long Island NY. Been into trucks my whole life, got my Class B when I was 18 for moving buses for the family business(still currently employed) and then my Class A when I turned 21. I got my license with the intentions of driving for a friend of my uncles hauling dirt but it never happened. I've been with the family business for almost 7 yrs and enough is enough. I have no experience but I am a skilled driver and graduated at the top of my class at CDT, PTDI certificate, tanker+hazmat as well as passenger endorsements. Also forklift certified. My trainers said I had "quick hands" with special attention to backing/maneuvering, and I was the only person that they felt comfortable with doing a jack-back turn in traffic.
I've always wanted to get into the waste industry and as I'm fed up with my family's crap I am trying to decide between front load, which sounds pretty good talking to some guys that have been doing it a long time. The other option I was considering was O/O truck/dump trailer (end dump? or walking floor?) contracting to transfer facilities etc..
So far, here is what I have figured:
Front Loader Pros:
local work/home every night
decent pay/benefits
no cost to me
possibility to move to a town/state job
Cons:
With my zero industry experience and limited straight truck/bus work I have had no luck convincing these companies that I am likely better than the drivers that are beating up their equipment (i didnt use those phrases by the way lol). None of them really want to give me a chance.
climbing into the hopper to clean the overspill behind the blade every day is gonna suck but I'll get used to it, as with the smells everywhere else.
Owner Operator Pros:
opportunity to make more money
working for myself I wont have to worry about being denied a job because of my lack of exp.
versatility of different freight/trailers if I ever get tired of trash
finally get out on the road in a full size rig that I own, or am making payments on
move to town/state job still a possibility
Cons:
expensive, obviously a big/THE main factor. I would have to save every spare cent for the next 2 years or so to have the starting capital for a truck/trailer permits etc. then theres all the other costs but you guys know that so I wont bother
having to go through/around NYC to take trash off long island. Both directions are bad outside of the twilight hours like 12-5am
and then sleeping with everyone else waiting outside the landfill
frozen trailer floor in the winter
Its late and I'm tired so I'm sure there are things I missed here, please if anyone has any thoughts or advice that would be really helpful. Any tips for getting into a FL job without experience?
Thanks.
-Brendon
A little intro as well as some industry questions.
Discussion in 'Waste Removal and Garbage Truck Driver Forum' started by Diesel_Fiend, Sep 14, 2013.
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I went to class A from 25 years on a class b city bus. Lasted 6 months otr.
Been back 7 years now on the bus, I just picked up my car from the bus mechanic's shop today.
Family sux though used to work for my brother, he gave me slave wages. -
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I have been driving front end loaders for almost 10 years now. I love it! But most companies start you out as a swamper on the back of the truck and you have to work your way up the ladder. But you might get lucky if you happen to fall into the right company. Best of luck to you.
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