I got my Class A was Offered a Class B job
Posted by lonelyboy069@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 68 comments
I need advice please, I been looking everywhere for a good either weekly job or overnight haul trucking job home daily... I just got my Class A I can't find anything , everything I see either pays crap and wants me gone 2 or 3 weeks.. I have kids and after I talked it over with them they automatically said "Noo Noo we want you here" well with that being said I been offered a Class B job which is local, home every night and they did say they have a few Class A vehicles which they will allow me to drive when they need coverage or if someone ever left .. the pay is pretty good which is what's catching my attention, would you take a job with a potential chance of getting on a trailer later on?? They're family owned so definitely advancement opportunities but is it worth it?
Embarrassed_Rock817@reddit
Go for it. If they have A's in there you can get them to let you drive them. I'd do it if I couldn't find a trucking company to hire me.
lonelyboy069@reddit (OP)
Thank you
Embarrassed_Rock817@reddit
Sure I was and kinda still am in the same predicament you are.Got my license and thought ok where do I want to go work for..then I started noticing no one was gonna hire me without expierence, was getting frustrated then I heard of this Lovely company called Western Express and well they gave me a chance .theyll give anyone really, a chance. So I'm gaining my expierence with them right now BUT it's been a long 3months because the pay and just how things fall together it's not so great. The pay here is the worst part.
Embarrassed_Rock817@reddit
$16 bucks an hour to be able to live and in the United States and be happy isn't possible Sixteen! Kill me!
Flat-Refrigerator747@reddit
Most of these class b jobs either pays more or the same as most class a jobs. I always tell people if you can make a honest living doing class b please do it because if I’m being honest driving a semi isn’t nothing but more of a headache.
Keni_transport@reddit
If you are going to make good enough money to take care yourself and your family in a class B truck go ahead be safe and legal on the road
MRLNRomeroMatt@reddit
Do the class B job and get your experience
051OldMoney@reddit
Does driving class B count for A or nah? Like you can work for a year at a B required job & apply for an A & say u got experience or na?
Uknow_nothing@reddit
Some hazmat companies will count the class B hazmat as enough to consider taking the chance on you for class A after a year or two. Because while they’ll need to teach you some things you’ll already know all of the other hazmat related bs like loading/unloading.
Ghilbe2jz@reddit
This! This the way
jmzstl@reddit
Generally no, but OP said this is a small company and they do have some tractor trailers that he’ll drive occasionally. So he could probably finesse this as Class A experience when he decides to leave.
Tricky_Big_8774@reddit
It might help you get hired, but it won't count as experience.
MRLNRomeroMatt@reddit
Typically no
jacklisterr@reddit
A lot of companies will specify “Tractor-Trailer Experience” so no for the most part
Professor_Game1@reddit
The real question is do they have class A trucks that you can get into later, I took a class B job with a class A license but the company does have class A tankers and dump trailers which I'm working on getting into, you can't be picky with jobs these days especially if your young
lonelyboy069@reddit (OP)
They have 2 class @
Professor_Game1@reddit
I would take it, even if you can't get into the class A trucks you will be making money and you can still search for another job
Auquaholic@reddit
Do it!
mr_jeune203@reddit
Honestly depends on your goals.
lonelyboy069@reddit (OP)
Sheeesh I have different goals...... 😢
mr_jeune203@reddit
What I mean by that is, financially will the class B make sense? Also do you plan on going into a specialized field in trucking? Do you mind driving buses or dump trucks etc? Do a lot of searches so u can compare the pros and cons for your specific life. That way you can make a more informed decision. But if you’re looking for local and don’t mind getting your hands dirty you can try and gain experience from Sysco. Never worked there before but I hear the pay is decent but they will work you.
lonelyboy069@reddit (OP)
Yeesh they work you, sadly they aren't hiring near me 😢... I want to get into class A 100% because I already paid for my Hazmat and TWIC, I just don't want to do otr right now and deal with black ice!!! So it's about balance
RoadStocks@reddit
Youll find a lot of local b pay beats otr A. Usually by a LOT, lol. Sad isnt it?
CronoXpono@reddit
Mine isn’t a B per say but it’s very much a departure from the usual A type job. It’s all about what works for you, you know? I personally would rather hand deliver cars than drive a tractor trailer but I know folks who’d rather long haul than dump truck. It just depends!
Dangerous_Ad4451@reddit
Think of what you will lose doing class A at this time vs. what you gain doing class B job. Your young family trumps everything (no pun intended).
lonelyboy069@reddit (OP)
Thanks
justdan76@reddit
I would do it. If you only just got your license, it’s a good opportunity. Do a good job, and I guarantee you’ll be pulling a trailer. Whatever they say now, they’re going to need a trailer delivered at some point and you’re going to be the guy standing there and they throw you the keys. That’s how mom and pops work!
lonelyboy069@reddit (OP)
🔥 thanks
Lil_suavee@reddit
If you don’t mind me asking how much is the starting pay? I’m thinking about getting a cdl A I wouldn’t mind doing cdl b jobs
lonelyboy069@reddit (OP)
$23-$26 they pay me too pay though due to having a class A from what he told me
Kobeer01@reddit
A class A-cdl is like a dick... Better to have more, and not need it, rather than need it and not have it.
lonelyboy069@reddit (OP)
😂😂😂
bobsanidiot@reddit
I got a class A and work a Class B job. Ain't nothing wrong with it.
No-Cauliflower2367@reddit
Yw !!!
brsrafal@reddit
I made more money with dump trucks boom trucks moffet trucks cement trucks vacuum trucks. It don't pay much more if any to do class a plus you make more local f otr. Only downside taking b job is you not getting a experience that a is useless without experience.
Turbulent_Diamond352@reddit
In cali some class b driver make more than class A lol. Dont let the class fool you. Go where the money is at
JankyMark@reddit
Shit I would take it in a heartbeat until something else comes along
Ornery_Ads@reddit
I tell everybody to get an unrestricted class A because it gives you options, not because you need to seek out class A work.
Find something that pays well and you are comfortable doing. Theres no amount of money that you can give me that will have me pumping septic, but if you want me to go deliver lumber, dryvan, fuel, stone, etc I'm happy as can be class A, B, C, or D if I get enough money for it.
RJ_JO@reddit
$40/hr, company paid health insurance, 6% on top of what you make put into a 401k with no voluntary matching, 2 weeks paid vacation, 7:30 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, daily/weekly/monthly cash bonuses and average $150/ week cash tips wouldn’t change your mind on Septic work?
Simplenipplefun@reddit
This does change my mind a bit, question is, how poo dirty do you get??
Dancethroughthefires@reddit
What state is that in?
RJ_JO@reddit
Ohio
Ornery_Ads@reddit
Nope.
No reasonable amount of money will have me doing that.
I'd happy take a small pay cut and run around doing water
shadowmib@reddit
Right that smokey and the bandit shit is for the movies. Get money in your pocket and live your life how you want
lonelyboy069@reddit (OP)
🙏🏽
N661US@reddit
I drove class a for almost 2 years and now I do class b work and make more money then I did at the first two jobs. Just go where the money is
ScoofioTurtle@reddit
Yes. Take it.
Then-Background-1391@reddit
I’ve had a class a CDL for 30 years the past 20 years I’ve only been using the B class it’s about the best job
WillBilly_Thehic@reddit
I'll run a golf cart if it pays well. Just make sure to run the trailers enough to get comfortable with them THEN LIE to your next job and say you ran 53ft frequently. Had a friend get fucked because he kept telling every job he only drove 40ft trailers so he took had to take a 40k pay cut
CobraWasTaken@reddit
If they have class A vehicles you could end up switching to a class A position later on so I'd say go for it.
truckerkenn17@reddit
As long as the job meets your needs, go do it. It gets you home every night and pays your bills. That’s all that matters.
HappyHeffalump@reddit
Class B is just a class A without the trailer, isn't it? Sounds like you'll be paid and get practice shifting, so it sounds good to me!
I drove Tandem and Tridem straight trucks for years before hopping into a log truck. Still gained skills and knowledge while making money.
TR3Y-GLOXK5@reddit
Otr Pirate
AE_Racer@reddit
I drive class b with a class a. No shame. It averages what i was making doing regional work
LeadfootfromNH@reddit
Same here. Actually, technically my truck doesn’t even require a CDL (25,999 box truck hauling sheet metal), but it’s a good company and an honest living
lonelyboy069@reddit (OP)
Thanks man, I'm happy for you btw
ExamPatient@reddit
If it checks all the boxes for you, it looks like you have the answer
midwestmiller@reddit
Money is money my guy. Sounds like if the job checks all the boxes and you've done your due diligence into researching the company, you need to get the acceptance letter signed before someone else does. I found my unicorn job driving a class b with a class a license and make more than most other class a driving jobs in my area.
Once the checks start rolling in you won't care what you're driving.😂
Waisted-Desert@reddit
If it pays decent, what's the difference?
I had a job that required me to drive anything from 18 wheelers to a 26ft box truck to a 1/2 ton Nissan van. It paid the same per hour no matter what I drove, so why would I care that I'm delivering a 5lb box to the local FedEx office in a small van rather than 1500 pieces to a dock in an 18 wheeler?
Sergeant_Metalhead@reddit
Take the money, I drove for 36 years. The last 25 with the same company, I drove everything from a van to 53 footers. As long as the paycheck didn't bounce i didn't care.
lonelyboy069@reddit (OP)
Thank you sir 🫡
Choice_Pop3111@reddit
get it all in writing
TwoToadsKick@reddit
What
SufficientOnestar@reddit
Its not about whether your pulling a trailer or not.Its about making money and being able to sleep in your own bed.I came off the road for class B and never looked back.
Yz-Guy@reddit
Id take the job and get the experience. If the money is enough and fits your needs. Who cares. You can always look for something better while there, without the stress of being out of work.
gnarly_darnley@reddit
I would usually say go where the money is but experience is also important for your future, what I did as a new driver 2 years ago was beverage delivery for about a year then got my hazmat/tanker endorsement and switched to fuel delivery. A lot of food service will hire new drivers just know you’ll be busting your ass the whole time outside in the rain and snow with a handcart going up and down stairs
NectarineAny4897@reddit
Make money.
I drive a commercial sweeper in the summer and an end dump in the winter, neither of them require a class A that I have.
I don’t care one bit, because the money is right and I have the flexibility that I need.
TheDarkCastle@reddit
Get in the truck and make money, the class a isn't going anywhere.