What is average for a new driver

Hey! Im a pipefitter/plumbing apprentice! Lol. Between the apprenticeship (and lay-offs) and doing local work that provides a decent check, I'm thinking local work wins out. Thats if youre older to begin with. Now if youre 22, then I'd say go for the trades union. In the long run it will be a better pay off.

 

Its 14.5 here in NJ. How old are you?

 

Well I’m about to finish a 20 year career in the army. If that gives you a idea.

 

lol sorry bro!

but tbh, you know what you’re in for and you’re gonna be sitting very well in a little bit. You’re trying to get to the top of the food chain ASAP.

 

Right on, bro. What the hell you worried about workin for? Tell the old lady its time for her to make that check! Haha

I'd stick to local work. When I got out in spring 2018, UPS freight hired me with zero experience. For some guys, thats a career job that they stick with for 25yrs. The pay starting out is low ($17.25/hr) but with the hours you work the checks still are nice. And after 4 years, youre a hair under $30/hr. Its OT after 8hrs, too. Guys I worked with at the time were clearing $1500+/wk during the summertime in peak of freight season.

 

I had school at the hall yesterday. Told me I'm #2 on the list but found out an apprentice in my class was laid off AFTER me and is already back to work with a different company BEFORE me. So theres some shady bull going on. Politics and family connections come into play with this crap. Its been 11 #### weeks that I've been laid off! Lol

 

Do you have your class A now?

 

No I start training through a army funded program next month.

 

Yea I looked at the pipe fitters union but couldn’t justify taking a deep pay cut for 3 years

 

Yeah if you're a young buck, its a good move to go in the trades union and do an apprenticeship. But not so much when youre pushing 40 with kids and a mortgage and looking to be retired by early 60s.