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Moving up from driving class B to class A on my Job

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Danch, Nov 28, 2016.

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  1. Nov 28, 2016 #1
    Danch

    Danch Light Load Member

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    May 10, 2016
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    Ok so let me give some background... In August I landed a class b job delivering food products (my first driving job). So I walk into the office after my shift to turn in my keys and go home for the day and my boss says, "do you have a class A"? I tell him I do and he says he has opening for a Class A driver. Long story short the pay is better than what I'm making and i'd get my 2 days off in a row. The shift is roughly 10 pm to around 6 or 8 am. I'd have to drive a little less than 200 miles round trip twice and back into some docks I've never seen before so not sure how the situation is there and another one that's pretty much a straight back. I figure the class A experience is exactly what I need to get the jobs i'm looking for but I'm unsure why no one else (like someone with more experience or seniority) has already taken the job. Also with my lack of class A experience besides school I'm unsure about driving in the snow (I'm in Virginia winters are mild with the occasional bad winter) and how quick I'll get backing up to the dock now. They say they'll let me practice a bit at our yard/docks and ride with someone else ect. So basically I'm looking for some insight from you guys on this. Would you take it and why or why not and what are some things to think about before hopping on it. I told the boss I could let him know in a couple days so I've got some time to simmer on it. Thanks in advance...
     
    Danch, Nov 28, 2016
    Danch, Nov 28, 2016
    #1
    Mike2633 Thanks this.
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  3. Nov 28, 2016 #2
    51.50

    51.50 Heavy Load Member

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    Jan 20, 2016
    Salem Oregon
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    Go for it, don't hurry and be careful.
     
    51.50, Nov 28, 2016
    51.50, Nov 28, 2016
    #2
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  4. Nov 28, 2016 #3
    u4icwargasm

    u4icwargasm Light Load Member

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    Nov 8, 2016
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    I say go for it. I'm otr class a driver. Backing up to a dock ain't hard. Don't hesitate to get out & look. Keep a eye on ur passenger side mirrors
     
    u4icwargasm, Nov 28, 2016
    u4icwargasm, Nov 28, 2016
    #3
    Danch Thanks this.
  5. Nov 28, 2016 #4
    lagbrosdetmi

    lagbrosdetmi Box Monkey

    547
    985
    Jul 1, 2014
    Detroit
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    Do it, get some tractor trailer experience and move on to something bigger and better.
     
    lagbrosdetmi, Nov 28, 2016
    lagbrosdetmi, Nov 28, 2016
    #4
    Bfr38, u4icwargasm and Danch Thank this.
  7. Nov 28, 2016 #5
    street beater

    street beater Road Train Member

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    Apr 18, 2014
    cold as hell, MN
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    Do it. You get some class a experience under your belt, then find a day gig with better pay. You wont regret it, worst case, go back to B trucks.
     
    street beater, Nov 28, 2016
    street beater, Nov 28, 2016
    #5
    Danch Thanks this.
  8. Nov 28, 2016 #6
    styro

    styro Light Load Member

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    Sep 24, 2016
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    Ask the boss if you can go back to a straight truck if you don't like it. I'm sure with practice you'll get the hang of it. You can also ask the other TT drivers about the locations you'll be delivering to. Or get the addresses and look on google maps. 9 months in I still use free time practicing backing. We have one stop that took me 2 or 3 sometimes 4 tries to get it right so if they were not busy after unload I'd take a couple turns starting from the beginning. Now I usually can get it first time.
     
    styro, Nov 28, 2016
    styro, Nov 28, 2016
    #6
    Danch Thanks this.
  9. Nov 28, 2016 #8
    Sho Nuff

    Sho Nuff Road Train Member

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    Apr 9, 2015
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    I wouldn't question why nobody took the job. A lot of new Class A holders don't get the opportunity to start off local. And only 8-10 hours a day at that.

    Gaining some experience at night might be a good thing, because you got less traffic and congestion to deal with. It'll give you an easier chance to learn how to back up without too much stress. And it seems like you're only gonna bump docks as well.

    My opinion....TAKE THE JOB!!!!
     
    Sho Nuff, Nov 28, 2016
    Sho Nuff, Nov 28, 2016
    #8
    Mike2633, Danch and street beater Thank this.
  10. Nov 28, 2016 #8
    Hyweighman

    Hyweighman Medium Load Member

    517
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    Dec 29, 2011
    Pensacola, FL
    0
    Go for it
     
    Hyweighman, Nov 28, 2016
    Hyweighman, Nov 28, 2016
    #8
    Danch Thanks this.
  11. Nov 28, 2016 #9
    dptrucker

    dptrucker Road Train Member

    4,671
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    May 14, 2012
    adelanto,ca.
    0
    If you have a class a... why not put it to use. Your boss is giving you a promotion with better pay.
     
    dptrucker, Nov 28, 2016
    dptrucker, Nov 28, 2016
    #9
    Bfr38, Mike2633 and Danch Thank this.
  12. Nov 28, 2016 #10
    VIDEODROME

    VIDEODROME Road Train Member

    1,486
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    Jun 7, 2007
    angola, in
    0
    The plus about the night shift is less traffic while learning Class A driving.
     
    VIDEODROME, Nov 28, 2016
    VIDEODROME, Nov 28, 2016
    #10
    Mike2633 and Danch Thank this.
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