kinda torn on what to do.

Well in a previous thread you said that you "did not get into trucking to work 40 hours per week" and now you dont want to work more than 40 hours? Not that it matters to me but think this through before you go to greener pastures that might not be so green. How are the benefits at Pepsi compared to the new job offer? What about travel time to work. Will you have an opportunity to get a better route at Pepsi further down the road. Depending on what type of mechanic work you will be doing, outlay for tools can be a huge expense, not just a couple of grand. Anyway good luck

 

As a mechanic would you be on flat rate or would they pay you hourly?

 

I can tell you that i was a car/pick up truck mechanic for approx. 7 yrs and the investment you make in tools can be huge. I still have my box and tools, when i finally put all on my taxes last year i was floored by the total cost over the years. Just under 45k in just the tools. plus 11k in a decent box. and i do know that heavy truck tools are more expensive. plus you have to look if they pay you flat rate(by the job/what the book calls for in pay hours) or by the hour on the clock.

 

as a mechanic you may very well still put in as many if not more hours as a driver, but you still get to go home. as for tools, there should be one of several companies that go onto the property and sell them. anything you want, they got it or can get it..Snap-On, Mac, Matco, Proto, Cornwell, to name just a few companies. you buy what you need, and pay weekly. just be careful of "contract purchases"....this is where you can buy $10,000 or $20,000, or $50,000 worth of tools all in one shot......

but you still pay weekly....on average, it'll be about $200 each week....till it's all paid for, but then, you will ALWAYS NEED tools you did not get in that "contract purchase".....

moving tools from one business to another is a pain in the @ZZ..you either NEED a pick up truck now, or (yes) depending on the size of your tool boxes, you might be hiring a flatbed wrecker (i shiot you not)......

being a mechanic, YOU HAVE MORE CONTROL over the DRIVERS as well as the equipment...YOU get to tell the drivers to go "fly a kite"....and if they do not listen, you IMMEDIATELY call dispatch...wanna see a driver cower down and run away from you...??? try it.....and he will NEVER bother you again...

as a mechanic, be forewarned, you will NEVER have enough tools....its a never ending "mother's day" celebration....

because every week, when the tool men come into the shop....

you gotta pay "this mother" and "that mother"..

good quality tools will cost money.....and last nearly forever.....cheap ones break, and you're always replacing them if they are not guaranteed.

 

I'd do it just to learn and add another thing to fall back on. trucks need fixin, and with tight credit, lotta older trucks running around.

 

Being "trained to be a fleet mechanic" means that you will be the oil-lube-tire guy (lowest paying job). Becoming a decent mechanic is a very long road, and these days is usually going to also require some formal schooling (all the vehicle computer/electronic stuff).
I know mmoney is not everything, but I think you have made the right decision to stay a driver...because in the end it will probably be more money.