Union Dump truck or O/O?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by kaynbeetrucking, Sep 2, 2017.

  1. kaynbeetrucking

    kaynbeetrucking Bobtail Member

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    Aug 31, 2017
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    Having a hard time deciding if i want to be my own boss or have awesome Union benefits. Already did homework for both, doing an SBA program with 8a program attached working on my business plan. And on the other hand I got a guy offering me dump truck experience to fulfill 2 year experience required by the 176 teemsters Union..where do I go...am 37 now getting older fast.
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Take the dump truck union job and be vested for a pension in 5 years.
    Union pension plus social security may keep you from eating dog food when you're old and gray.
     
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  4. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    I would have a tough time with O/O. The new trucks are awful. Personal experience there. Had a dealership tell me that the average over the road truck was spending 2 to 3 months in the shop in the first year. How can you make any money like that?
     
  5. mud23609

    mud23609 Medium Load Member

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    How much do you like spinning wrenches on your day off? Dump trucks are maintance intensive. Much more so than a road tractor.
     
  6. kaynbeetrucking

    kaynbeetrucking Bobtail Member

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    Aug 31, 2017
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    Thats 1 thing I worried about. The guy offering me the job is Hindu and half of the staff speeks Hindu. They are legit company and have worked in some big projects lile SR520 and I5 corridor..just kind of weird environment. But I need 2 year experience required for the Union.
     
  7. kaynbeetrucking

    kaynbeetrucking Bobtail Member

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    Aug 31, 2017
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    From what I understand u need 3 months saved before you head out in o/o i was thinking working here on the west coast. Not too far.
     
  8. egfelix

    egfelix Bobtail Member

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    Aug 23, 2017
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    Amen to that @Chinatown, take the union job, get a pension and put in 10, 15 years and get out and drive commercial. But I'd do the whole 30 and get out with a good pension plus SS. You'll live well. I'm just finishing up my 30 years with the carpenters union in a few months. Of course I started at 18 and I'm 48 now. So take it from a union guy. I'm still young that I want to continue working so I'm getting into driving a truck. I don't have to but I want to so I can keep busy for the next 10 to 15 years then I'll hang it up. Good luck with your decision.
     
  9. Tommy1955

    Tommy1955 Bobtail Member

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    The job with the benifits
     
  10. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    So from reading your post you have no dump experience..?

    And never owned a truck? I'd say take the hourly job to see if you like the work and go from there......


    P.S. The union bennies are nice. But nothing is guaranteed.....
     
  11. RedRover

    RedRover Road Train Member

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    I'm pretty anti union but I'd take a union hourly job in half a second
     
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