Permit RR Laborer to Heavy Haul CDL-A, yes or no?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Ol' Red, May 1, 2023.

  1. Ol' Red

    Ol' Red Bobtail Member

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    I was offered a position as a Laborer for a Railroad Servicing company. They clean up derailments, repair tracks, and it's over-the-road (out a few days to a week at a time). They will take care of my CDL Class A, and show me how to do heavy haul and operate all the equipment. The Laborer's have their CDL A and haul the equipment to the job, and back. No restrictions on license, manual trucks.

    The work is very grueling, and very physical starting out. 24/7 oncall, but it's union and starts out 60 - 80k a year. I was thinking this would be a good way to get my CDL, get experience driving, and also get experience in heavy haul.

    What are you guys thoughts on this?
     
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  3. The Crossword Trucker

    The Crossword Trucker Road Train Member

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    Sounds like a great way to get a CDL.
    Also that heavy haul experience is hard to come by and held in very high esteem by most of the trucking industry.
    What does the pay top out at?
    From the limited info you have given here, I would be inclined to accept this offer
     
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  4. fuller

    fuller Light Load Member

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    I'd take the offer also. While I could never live my life 24/7 on call long term, after a year or two of working that job you should be able to get hired on almost anywhere you want to.
     
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  5. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    it sounds pretty good if the work atmosphere and conditions are suited to you.
     
  6. Ol' Red

    Ol' Red Bobtail Member

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    So does it count as CDL A driving experience if you're driving a tractor-trailer to and from different jobs during the week? They go all over the midwest and down south, but it's not like a fulltime sitting and driving position. Does it still count as CDL A driving experience?
     
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  7. Just passing by

    Just passing by Road Train Member

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    Go for it. You'll be more than experienced for a broad variety of jobs after that.
     
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  8. The Crossword Trucker

    The Crossword Trucker Road Train Member

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    Only the insurance companies can answer that. You never know what each company will accept and thats usually who has to be satisfied.
    Its not the same as OTR experience but the heavy haul looks nicer on a resume anyway
     
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  9. fuller

    fuller Light Load Member

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    Of course it does. Many LTL guys spend most of their day doing things other than just driving, but some can still back an A-train set through the McDonald's drive-thru lane.
     
  10. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Go for it, you won't regret it, also the work is not that bad, they have the correct tools for the heavy lifting, you do not lift with your back, they have the equipment and expect you to use it, so use it. I think you will find you will make considerably more than 80K, if your actually enployed by one of the railroad company's, if it a subcontractor we take it go get your license in a year go to work for the railroad direct.
     
  11. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Yes.
     
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