Interested in Becoming a Trucker (PT 2)

At least he can read and write (and presumably speak) English.

 

With all due, I've found, someone looking for OTR probably won't be interested in a construction job. Construction jobs, that DO pay well in my area, are a lot of physical work. OTR you just sit there, and is a preferred choice for cushy folks that don't really want to truck, just the last game in town.. I've told this before, a construction company was tearing out our city street, a guy was jumping from the backhoe, to the skid steer, then the dump truck, I couldn't contain myself any longer, I said. "what gives. you a one man show"? He said, he literally can't find anyone with the qualifications, and is doing it himself. He then asked me, $25/ hour, you're hired. I said, thanks but I'm retired now. That plays out all across this land, less and less want to do that kind of work, and that, to me, is mighty sad.

 

Exactly right. In the end it comes down to one person at a desk who makes a decision on whether or not to take a chance on a driver with a spotty past.
Most people that do the hiring won't stick their neck out. They shouldn't be required to, either.

 

thought I was labeled the "curmudgeon"!??

 

Those are the best jobs.
I've loaded myself hundreds of times, loaders, excavators, you name it. Jumping around between equipment, and the truck keeps life interesting. Building road this summer, I hauled the fuel to the job for myself to use, then a dozer, and excavator to the road.
I took a chainsaw out, fell the trees, piled the logs into another pile about every 150' to be hauled later. I stumped it, piled the stumps to be burnt this winter, dug a ditch, sloped the road slightly for water drainage, hauled the gravel in the belly dump, and had it to grade. I then hauled out a roller, compacted it, hauled the logs away, and yes self loaded the logs with a button top i hauled out there. Returned all the equipment, and hauled away the fuel tank last. The contractor went out with my father, when i said it was done, to inspect it. The contractor was so pleased, he tipped me. I loved every second of it, and nobody telling me what to do.
Those are simply the best jobs.
Hauling gravel, is vastly better than OTR in my opinion. No stinky truck stops, sleeping in a truck, fuel lines, disgusting showers, crowds, sitting for hours on end just droning along a boring hwy.
I'll bet the pay is also better, i made almost $600 /day, and was tipped $2500 extra when done.

So OP, don't disregard construction, for some, like me, its better, not worse.
Different strokes as they say.

 

Got my first rig in a lease purchase from NAVL with Triple Crown roadrailers .

 

Hmm, you seem like my kind of gal. Any trips to Colorado planned??

 

Construction work is very different from sitting on your hemorrhoids in the seat of a dump truck all day .

the guys that bring gravel to our job sites or haul dirt away, never get out of the cab.