You CAN get a local job as a noob!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by bumpa, Dec 21, 2012.

  1. bumpa

    bumpa Bobtail Member

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    Awesome advice, especially considering I live in rain city, USA.
     
  2. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Good for you. Those local jobs are there; just sometimes have to search harder for them.
     
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  3. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    Moffets, Princetons, Donkeys, etc. are a bit awkward at first, but it shouldn't take you long to get the hang of it. Also be careful about extending your forks out too far when you have weight on the forks, because the truck-mounted forklifts are a bit lacking in counterweight. I think the Donkey was the worst for it, whereas the Moffets are usually pretty substantial weight-wise. Also be wary of your width - the lift will be almost as wide as your truck, as I'm sure you've probably seen. Basically, just be aware of your surroundings, make sure you have all objects as secure as you can have them (I had a dunnage board fall off the forks on me when I delivering a boulder once... busted a hydraulic coupling to the mast and caused me to drop the load)., understand the limits of what the lift can and can't do, and you'll be fine.

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  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    I have 3 friends that got their CDL & didn't want OTR. All fresh grads from CDL school. One walked in a grocery warehouse and was hired delivering to grocery stores & one walked into a boat manufacturing plant & was hired delivering those outboard motor fishing boats all over the country & the other got a tanker job hauling dry bulk cement to local cement companies. These aren't what we think of as traditional trucking jobs; so get creative in your job search.

    None of these companies were running ads for drivers; sometimes just walk in and ask.
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2012
  5. bumpa

    bumpa Bobtail Member

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    Thanks again for the advice. I will defiantly keep all of it in mind. Although I'm new, I'm fairly confident I can get the hang of it with a little practice, as I've operated Bobcats, Backhoes, etc. in the past. My big concern is parking and unloading in congested areas. I'm gonna end up in some small spots and have to figure out how to make everything work without hitting anyone or blocking streets.
     
  6. bumpa

    bumpa Bobtail Member

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    So true. I just spoke with a guy from my class, and he said he was getting some stuff from his boat yesterday and while talking to the marina manager.....mentioned that he had just got his CDL, and boom. Guy offered him a full time gig taking boats to and from customers homes.
     
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  7. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    Oh, yeah.. if you can run a skid or a hoe (back or track), the lift should be nothing to you. The mounting and dismounting might take a couple turns to get down, but other than not, there isn't much to it.
     
  8. jgremlin

    jgremlin Heavy Load Member

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    Take. Your. Time. People will get annoyed. Expect that. Don't let anyone rush you. You're going to have to do a lot of backing that was never talked about in school. Think winding narrow streets with lots of mailboxes and car fenders that you will have to keep from hitting while backing around blind corners. Also manicured lawns and even not so manicured lawns.

    If you run a steer tire into someone's lawn in order to maneuver around some obstacle, its going to leave a depression in the ground. And you can bet your bottom dollar that home owner will witness you doing it and will take note of the name on the door and start making angry phone calls. If you have to pull up 27 times in order to avoid running a tire over the edge of someone's lawn, then pull up 27 times. Leave no trace that you were ever there because it only takes one angry home owner to get you fired.
     
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  9. NYROADIE

    NYROADIE Heavy Load Member

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    Use your head, if you don't think it's a good idea than DON"T DO IT! The customer just wants his stuff and will burn you in a heartbeat for any damage.
     
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  10. born&raisedintheusa

    born&raisedintheusa Road Train Member

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    Congratulations and good luck to you!!