Question:
Anyone have some advice on how to get hired driving dump trucks in central Wisconsin? I just moved here from San Jose, Ca. and the job market for what I did over the last 10 years in the Electric Utility Industry is seriously dead right now. I don't want to get hooked up with a OTR company because I want to have a life. I am currently reading the DMV CDL study books and will probably go in for my written test in the next two weeks. I used to drive a dump while attending college 15 years ago but never actually had a CDL. I would think that having a spotless driving record, no criminal history being in great health and having a perfect credit score would entice any company to hire me as a newbie. Any advice is appriciated!!
Mike
"Too much is never enough"

Answer:
You had to drive Union to make anymoney. Check in with the temsters local in that area, see what they know about the construcion industry were you are. They may have some kinda contract that has the requirment to get on with someone. The local landscape companies will probaly be a good place to start for experiance. They will probaly not pay more then 10 bucks or so a hour but at least you gain experiance. This worked for me in the Mo,Il area, not sure about WI. The landscape side is what got me into the union then I moved to Hyway construcion and winter snow removel. Good luck.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
Thanks for the good ideas!
Mike
"Too much is never enough"

Answer:
I currently drv an End Dump.
Although, I've been drving for 13yrs...this is my 1st yr drving an End Dump.
The way I got into it was through a Friend.(my friend's Dad is who I drv for....her Dad has Colon Cancer & had to get off the road & was looking for a drvr.)
He rode with me for about 2wks to show me the ropes & teach me how to operate the equipment....After that, I was on my own.
One way for you to get started is by "Networking".
Strike up a conversation with some of the local Dump-Trkrs in your area & Ask some of the Independants if they will take you under their wings.
Look in the Sunday Edition of the major metro newspaper in your area.(here in OKC, there are Always ads in the paper for Dump Trk drvrs.)

Answer:
www.usajobs.opm.gov
John Q.
Mothers all want their sons to grow up to be President, but they don't want them to become politicians in the process.
John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) "If men were angels...No government would be necessary."
51st Federalist Papers
"Nichols' Fourth Law says, "Avoid any action with an unacceptable outcome"

Answer:
I never knew that website existed...thanks for the link!!!
Mike
"Too much is never enough"

Answer:
Can anyone tell me what exactly an 8LL transmission is and if it is one that needs to be double-clutched?
Mike
"Too much is never enough"

Answer:
The 8LL is an 8+2 RoadRanger, pretty common in dumps and mixers.
ALL trucks SHOULD be double clutched....once you are used to the truck you can float it into every gear without using the clutch at all - but it takes practice.

Answer:
I thought of some more places to look for dump truck jobs.. try the yellow pages under paving contractiors, and construction. There are always lots of companies out there that could use a driver. There are also driver leasing companies, sort of like temp agancies for drivers. I know there were a few in New England area but I am not sure about yours. I used to work for 2 of them.
The pay isn't great driving dumps. Like the man said 10-12 an hour was the norm at home in NH.
Take note though, when I was driving dumps and was on a state paving job you are entitled to the state labor rate "while you are on the jobsite" not to and from but at $22.50 an hour (which was the rate in Massachusetts even if I was on the site for 30 min I put in for it! (my boss and I didn't agree, but the state attorney generals office said he had to!) <not a way to ensure your longevity with the company I'm afraid>
Also a lot of dump work is seasonal, they like to lay off during the winter, or if your a good driver they might put you on plowing, or delivering salt, and sand to the town sheds?
When you work a lot of times you put some LONG days in.. like 12-15 hr days. I couldn't go home on a paving job till the job was done, or they put another driver in the truck...
There were lots of chalanges, as well as dirty clothes.. One thing dump truck drivers seem to be a close knit community, you get to know everyone around in the buisness once you get in on it.
When you think you've reached the end of your rope.. Tie a knot and hang on!

Answer:
Shepoygan county should have an office called a "one-stop". Used to be called the employment office where a person filed for unemployment and welfare benefits.
Their website addy may look something like this: http://www.workforceresource.org
I found it for west-central Wisconsin but your area may include Fond-du-Lac. BOL

Answer:
Not sure what it's like up ther or anywhere else really. But South Florida can be difficult. Almost all the bigger dump companies require 2 to 3 years driving experience. I drove a dump bucket for over a year. Their actually easy to operate. Not alot of skill. Except that they can tip fairly easy. The ones that required the most attention were the 40' frameless dumps. They stand up on their back tires and have a small stell frame for support. They will tip easily.
I was able to find a job with a owner that had one tractor trailer sitting in his yard. He was my next door neighbor. I didn't even think about him when looking into driving. Until I came home a couple times and seen his old Star sitting each time. Jobs are out there but you have to be a little persistant. Having no recent exp. it might be a little tougher but probably worth while.
"Caution: Door May Open"

Answer:
Here's another site: http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/jobnet/mapwi.htm
BOL

Answer:
If I can pass my CDL written & driving tests next week I have a job! One of the larger local trucking/excavating companys called me on Thursday for an interview. To make a long story short they needed a driver ASAP but since I didn't already have my CDL I aksed them to give me a few days to get mine. The owner really wanted to hire me because of my job history etc. but I think he was kind of skeptical that I would be able to drive for him in a weeks time because I had to get so much done. Amyway, as soon as I left his office I was on the phone trying to get a driving test appaointment and a physical. After at least 10 calls I found a private tester who could get me in almost every day next week to do the driving test and the best part was it's only 5 miles away from the trucking company. I have my DOT physical appointment Monday morning and once I get that done I am going straight over to take my written tests! I left the owner a voice mail to tell him I had everything set up and that I would call him Monday after taking the phsyical and written test. Well, it was about 3 hours later that my cell phone rings and it's the owner saying "damn....you ARE on the ball" and "if you really get that stuff done on Monday consider yourself hired"!! He also said that I can use one of the're trucks for my driving test and they want me to come in on Tuesday so I can ride with another driver for a day to get used to it again before I take the driving test the following day or so. I can't tell you how stoked I am after not having a job for the last few months and that it's a job I really liked in the past when I was doing it while going to school. Looks like I will even get to choose my truck from either 2 Macks or a Pete. They are all 5 axle dumps with the 8LL tranmissions. Well, I need to get back to reading the study manuals....wish me luck
Mike
"Too much is never enough"

Answer:
Congrats!! And BOL to you

Answer:
I actually just got home from going to look at the truck I would be using to take my test in next week. When I pulled up there was one guy there washing a newer Mack so I asked him which truck had the auto in it and we ended up chatting for a good 45 min. or so. I am glad I went in to look today because I got to talk with a driver who has been with that same company for 24 years! He answered all of my questions and even took me around the yard showing me some things including the trucks that I would be choosing from if all goes well. Anyway, I am even more excited about it all now that it seems like a really good familiy owned company to work for thats not like some of the "outlaw" places I have read about on this site!
Mike
"Too much is never enough"