local dump truck job or delivery job, need advise.

I was a floater at a reefer outfit that did grocery stores. Was a floater by choice and was the highest paid driver in the company because of it. I refused to bid on any runs and just took what they threw at me and was making more money than the drivers that had been there 20 years. I wouldn't do it at a dump truck outfit though because I like running the roads. When the reefer outfit started a new division doing long haul I jumped on that and made even more money. That consisted of hauling whatever to anywhere, then picking up a backhaul to return to the warehouse. Turned into a great job. Doesn't matter if the weather is good or bad, people need food, so reefers keep the wheels turning.

 

Whew, just the thought of dump truck work makes me ill. I obviously didn't see this early on but I hope the OP did in fact, go through with the food service gig. I will say this, 20/hr to run a dump truck is hard to believe but I know it happens. Even with several years of experience, around here you're lucky to run a dump truck for 16-17 an hour, and that's pushing it. The dump truck work for me, was very monotonous, it was easy work, but very boring and usually is POS equipment. Not to mention, when you have a family to support, you realize real quick that things can go south financially with any type of prolonged rain. However, there is a TON of construction going on in my area right off the highway where I live on I-35, and even the more "reputable companies" are only offering 16-18 to start, and that's for end dump/belly dumps. You can see where you wouldn't make much running a dump truck around here. Most of the guys out there are smaller outfits from other areas of TX, and O/O's.

I obtained my CDL 11 months ago, and I've done my stint of dump truck work, and I will not mess with it again I can tell you that. If I were to get offered a job with a food-service outfit, as well as a dump truck outfit, I wouldn't even think twice about it. I'd be signing on the dotted line for the food-service gig before they could say "welcome aboard."

Dave

 

This is a no brainer. Food Service with all the bennies. My son works for food service. Union teamsters. He makes the $$$$. Lots of overtime. People have to eat 365 days a year. And for you to have that opportunity with a 6 month cdl....dude.... go for it.

 

@f150 and @Mike2633 .....

 

Good call. Hope it all goes well driver.

Dave