Please explain

Not sure on union starting times. Never worked for one and never will. Why not leave his union job if it’s that rough. Most local jobs start at the same time everyday. Pay should be the same with some paying more.

 

I know the guys hauling water for gas drilling here show up to work and make $10 an hour sitting and waiting for a load that may never come. So it could be worse.

 

A "bid" is a run or a route.
Bids are picked by seniority.
Your hubband is working as an on call casual.
You have two options.
Wait it out until someone higher in seniority retires, or someone gets fired, then he may get the worst steady bid
OR
Roll the dice, tell the terminal manager hire me for a permanent bid, or lose me.

 

I have a buddy who has been on call for YRC in OKC for over 5 years. He likes it, probably for the good pay and insurance. Once called, he has 4 hours to show up. I guess this type of schedule isn't for everyone.

And no, not every trucking company is like this. Many trucking companies have a set schedule. Food Service comes to mind.

 

No, it's the union deal. He could go non union, but would be in the same perdickiment for a bit, but not years.
Good luck

 

My company is similar to most as far as the extras. If you don’t bid on a set run you get the extra. Sometimes you get screwed- meaning a ton of stops and in crappy neighborhoods. Sometimes you get a real cupcake that you can knock out in 5-6 hours. Still get paid for 8.

I choose to stay an extra because the routes I can bid on are either lower paying or too far. We’re union, by the way.

But we usually start around the same time.