Best spotter/yard jockey gigs?

Be prepared to be turned down alot if you don't have Yard Spotter experience.

I have 18 years Accident Free Local and OTR experience and I called and applied with numerous Logistic Companies includng Lazerspot, NFI, NRT, TCI, etc. that advertised for Yard Spotter positions and every one of them turned me down because I didn't have any experience driving a Yard Hostler, and they were not willing to train me either.

They wanted a minimum of one year experience, of course I asked them, "How can someone get experience if no one will train you or hire you so you can get experience?"

All they did was make a excuse that the Companies they do the moves for want a minimum amount of moves per hour and they don't have time to train anyone.

That's kind of funny because most D.C's I've been to, the Yard Hostlers move a few trailers and either park next to each other and talk, or park next to a trailer that provides some shade and take 40 winks.

I know it sounds silly, because we back in trailers everyday too, but I guess you need special training to use a Yard Hostler, which I know you don't.

It's just a matter of getting used to the equipment, but the Logistics Companies don't see it that way.

These positions I applied at were in the Inland Empire area of Southern California, which is a hotspot for freight.

Good Luck.

 

If you're looking for THE BEST Yard Jockey job's, Private Fleets is probably the best. Normally they don't advertise this position because it's usually part of their bid runs, but practically ALL Distribution Centers use Yard Jockeys. And their payscale is usually the same as any other bidded run. For example, UPSF Yard Jockeys would make around $28 an hour at top rate.

Grocery Distribution Centers is a good place to start, such as SuperValu, ShopRite, Albertsons, ACME, Wegmans, etc., but they're VERY fast paced and you can move over 100 trailers in a day.

Amazon Fulfillment Centers is anouther place you can look at.

ANY Food Distributor will have Yard Jockeys, such as Nestle, Kellogs, Kraft, Nabisco, Bimbo Bakeries, Dean Foods, Coke, Mondelez, Frito Lay, etc, etc, etc, (you get point).

Retail Distribution Centers, such as Walmart, Costco, K Mart, etc.

Railyards.

Temp Services.

And others like Shaw Flooring, Mohawk, Ashley Furniture, UPS, USPS, etc, etc. But keep in mind that SOME of these Yard Jockey job's is ONLY available as a bidded run, and will rarely be advertised as available, and usually the jobs that aren't advertised are the BEST jobs. But if you're just looking for ANY Yard Jockey job, try looking at Indeed.com or Temp Services.

 

Where do you live

 

Sorry I see where you live missed it

 

I wouldn't say it's that hard. I never did it and first fleet hired me for it. 3rd shift 6-6 6days a week. 17$ hour time and half after 40. It only lasted 2 years and they lost the contract.

It took a few hours get used to backing it up cause it sure could turn pretty good.

Laser spot here took contract and is begging for guys. But they only pay 14$ hour no OT so I can see why

 

It is hard work because you are constantly climbing up & down tractor steps over & over, about 100-200 times a night where I work. It's often crowded & busy AND THEN THE EFFING EXPEDITORS SHOW UP & SHUT THE WHOLE PLACE DOWN by parking in the middle of the road/driveway.

 

A logistics company if offering guaranteed $1000 per week in the Nashville area. That is probably a 1099 gig, so after taxes your keeping $700

 

Yeah it was a lot of walking. Plus pouring rain had to get out and shut doors and open doors etc. good exercise though