Class A license, class B job offers

So I got my class A license & full endorsements. Planned to do it for a year, then switch to local, but after 2 months OTR my family isnt dealing with it too well and the pay wasnt really all that amazing for all the hassle.

So I've been looking for local work... problem is, almost everyone hiring local class A drivers in my area wants more experience.

I DID get offered a position driving a cement truck though... $20/hr, 55 hours a week with OT pay after 8/40 and full benefits. So the pay is good and it seems like a good job... I just want to know if im shooting myself in the foot long term by taking a class B job.

Long term, id like to get into fuel hauling or on with a local outfit like Old Dominion. Would companies in the future make me do trucking school again if I try making the switch to a class A truck? would class b experience be worth anything? Am I better off holding out for a class A job, or taking a lower paying class A position with someone like a beer distributor?

I also have a shot at a Pepsi delivery job, but its an auto trans and those low/short trailers. I hear this is considered crappy experience?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

I would take the mud hauling gig, then look around for somebody that runs both A and B trucks. Tell em you want A but will prove yourself in a B. Mud trucks get into some crazy places, the experience will be valuable. And if B work pays enough then who cares? And otr experience doesnt count for much in the local world anyhow

 

As to Pepsi, i dont see why pup experience would not be counted...

 

Most cement companies also run T/T end dumps for raw supplies at the mixing plants. Ask them if you can run both, just to keep you class A experience up to date.

 

I've ran for Pepsi btw. The money is great, but it's hard work. You actually restock all the vending machines- seems easy right? Wait till you are restocking an entire mall lol. Or you are stocking gas stations, with limited storage, and you have to restock other people's products to make room to deliver your own. It's a young man's game throwing cases all day imo, once your older it just hurts lol.

 

This sounds like good advice, it hadnt even occured to me to do so... thanks!

 

I have an A,but mostly run a B truck now.dont bother me none,its all about paying the bills and taking care of the family.

 

$20/hr with OT after 8/40 isn't a bad deal. As far as side loaders not being counted as experience, that's nonsense. You see where those drivers have to get them? Also, Pepsi has no shortage of "real" trailers. You don't think their loading up supermarkets and wholesale clubs with side loaders and hand trucks do you? If your end game is Class A driving, It's stick with Class A stuff. Also, Being a city driver with Pepsi will look a lot better for you than driving a straight job. I started with a Beer company so same thing, they told me straight out one reason I jumped some other people when I went LTL was the ridiculous places we have to get our trucks. Most people don't pay 8/40OT, if that job is a Union one, I'd stay put.

 

Don't know if it applies to the OP, but around here hauling concrete is about a 8 month on, 4 month off type of gig. Something to keep in mind.

 

I drove for Pepsi for about a year and a half. Was a single (drive) axle tractor with a 48' side (bay) load trailer.

After I left there, I applied at a couple fuel hauling places in Abq. I had my hazmat, tanker, and double / triples endorsements at the time and the manager of one place that I walked into asked me some questions. The conversation went something like this:

H = Him - manager
M = Me

H: So, how long you been driving?
M: I was at my most recent position for about 18 months, and prior to that I worked for Swift for about 6 months. So about 2 years.

H: What kind of tractor did you drive at your last place?
M: Single axle International daycab with an Eaton 9-speed and a side load trailer.

H: How long was that trailer, was it one of them little pups?
M: No, it was 48', just shy of a "full" 53' trailer.

H: What about Swift. I'm betting that was in a real tractor, wasn't it?
M: Well, it was a Volvo double axle, Eaton 9-speed, with a sleeper and 53' either reefer or dry van.

H: Well, son, there's no sense in even applying then.
M: Why is that?

H: Well, single axle experience don't count around here, neither does driving around with one of them little trailers. We'd only count the 6 months you had at Swift and 6 months isn't enough experience for our home office to even sneeze at you. Why don't you come back when you got some real experience and then we'll talk.
M: <walks out>

That was at Coastal Transportation (out of San Antonio, TX), a place that ALWAYS has a big banner outside on their fence that says "Now hiring drivers!"