Is driving for me? Offered a job

Take the trash job. The trash guys in my area make a good living. Retirement, sick pay, vacation, medical, dental and vision. Also, like a previous poster stated, retails close and garbage never stops!

 

I'd take that job right away. Going from $10 to 14-16/hr is a nice little progression and you'll learn a new trade doing it. Only problem is it's not Class A. If tractor trailer is what you really want to do then you might not be happy with the garbage gig before too long. A lousy class A job is $15/hr (maybe a poor choice of words but you get my drift), while good ones can pay $25 or more for the guys who've managed to stick with it a few years.

Ditch retail either way. Get a man's job.

 

I had a CDL back in the 70s and used to haul gasoline and diesel driving a bobtail tanker in and around Austin out to the surrounding counties. Not exactly driving a big rig, but I did deal with some of the problems drivers face. I also drove a bobtail flatbed on a 250 mile daily route delivering electrical parts. I loved being out on the highway, but that job just did not pay enough. I drove enough that I always knew I would like driving the big rigs. I also worked in retail for 10 years including management, and believe me, I would rather haul a big tank full of flammable liquid than ever work in retail again. Remember, in retail management, if your store does not turn a profit, you won't be around long. I have seen good Walmart managers canned because of shrink in their stores, often just because they took jobs in higher crime areas, which is often where newbies end up You are only as good as your last profit and loss statement, and that is just one of many stress causing issues that you will face everyday. IMHO, 80-90K/yr as a store manager in Walmart is not worth it for what they go through, although some managers actually do thrive in it. I really feel sorry for the store managers at places like Dollar General, Radio Shack, and many other small box chains. They work their tails off for chickenfeed compared to a Walmart store manager, and have most of the same headaches.

 

One of the neat things about driving the big rigs is the instant respect you get from most people. They know it's not some typical sissy job. It always raises an eyebrow when it comes up in conversation what you do for a living. I haven't liked every driver I've ever met but there is always that respect of being in the club.

 

Instant respect? You haven't driven much? Truck drivers get instant hatred by majority of public cuz we're big and slow and preventing you from getting to your destination 10 seconds earlier

 

I just got brake checked by a feminine hygiene product because i was probably slowing him from 65 to 60 because i was driving in the left lane to allow over 5 cars to merge. Real respect.

 

I would jump into driving. I was a assist manager for 4 yrs worked there for 7 yrs. Started out at 11.10hr was making same with just more hours. Managers were making 50's. But the stress level was out of control. They try to squeeze every drop they can get. If you had good sales high ups are wonder how much more they can get from you instead of a pat on the back. It's cut throat when you become a manager your usually first to get canned. Plus as a manager you got a regional who doesn't want to loose his job so he'll drop you first and ride your butt. I was making 38k when I left took me 7 yrs to get there. I've been trucking for 7 yrs, started at 40k now I'm gonna hit 65-68k this year, next year 70k's, then high 70's maybe in the 80k. Home every other night and partial weekends. No real stress just drive and get it there. Best choice I've made wish I did it at 21 instead of the sales retail job.

 

I would take perverse pleasure knowing i caused discomfort to idiots like those drivers. I really don't care if other people don't respect me based upon my job. Not all of us can be powerful politicians or lawyers......oh wait

 

Oh yeah, when the economy is tight everyone with sales exp or management exp is almost a dime a dozen. CDL drivers with clean records are getting harder to find. More demand for good CDL drivers. Got fired last year( food service go figure lol) found my LTL job in less then a week. I had all the endorsements, clean record, good work exp except my foodservice exp.