question on Teamsters jobs

[The Saint]

I'm looking at applying for a dockworker/ driver postion with yellow frieght. Is this a "casual position"? If so how good are the hours as far as the amount I would get to work? I still need to add the Doubles endorsment on my CDL before I apply. Also when and if I get a fulltime city driver position what kind of hours are common?

I never really thought about working a union job before but in my area that would be the only local job that pays decent.

[saddletramp]

Saint,

A casual job at any carrier, be it union or non union is just that, temporary work on a "casual" basis, meaning you may work every day, or every other day, once a week, or a early am shift one day, and come back the following night for a graveyard stint.

Sometimes some of these outfits will have work ready to be put up for bid and you may step into a hold down position right off the street.

But with the economy going south freight is slow and you may just have hit and miss work; just depends on the area of the country you are in, and if the terminal is on a major transcon route or near a large city.

Good luck to you; Yellow can be a good job if you make it through the lean times first!;)

[The Saint]

Thanks Saddletramp..I'm about to renew my CDL so ill take the test for my doubles endorsement. I will start keeping an eye out for the different companies in my area. I know yellow and roadway both have terminals in Newnan, GA and Roadway has a Terminal in LAgrange, GA. both towns are off of I-85 south of atlanta. I am also keeping an eye on ABF out of Phenix City though that would be a longer drive from my house. I have a job now so I can afford to be patient.

What would I be looking at as far as the differnce between working in a Union outfit as opposed to an OTR outfit..other than the obvious increase in pay and benefits?

[saddletramp]

More home time for one. In most instances you will run out of a "home" terminal either on a turn meet, or a layover at another terminal, where they put you up in a hotel and you return to your home terminal the next night.

[The Saint]

Sounds good...one of the main reasons I'm looking to get out of OTR. I have a 16 month daughter at home I would like to see more ;). From looking at their various webpages it is like you said..a little slow on hiring ..at least out of my area. But I'm gonna keep my eye open. I appreciate the feedback. One thing I have noticed that as far as local jobs go..non-union jobs dont pay squat. Especially log and chip hauling..I've already tried that.