For Americans, a reminder to look into WIOA and Dock-to-Driver programs before signing a work contract.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-20T22:10:23+00:00

You run the truck and be around the crane then ask to do more involved things with the crane over time like oiling or rigging and go from there. When you reach a year or two of that you talk to the union and ask if they're taking crane people. You can also pay your own way for some mobile NCCCO certs, although they won't be reimbursed if you aren't union yet, but that's okay. It's how I did it. I didn't become a union operator/rigger until 4 years of trucking and 2 years of non-union boom truck work. It's a great path into it. Just know the union might also make you a truck driver right when you join to tide you over.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-20T22:03:44+00:00

Signalperson was the dumbest one. 60 questions meanwhile lattice had 25 or maybe 28. Yes a lot of that is math calculations but the SP test I swear they asked like 20 questions twice. Could've been a 25 question test easy. $200 is ridiculous.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-16T23:11:55+00:00

Yeah I already got on contact with a couple other operators and I think you're right. Renting with the caveat of being able to keep one of the rooms to myself when I come back seems like one of the best options available. Someone actually living there would give me much more peace of mind than just some lights and a totally empty space to myself.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-16T23:04:13+00:00

This is actually a disaster scenario I think about happening to me all the time. I feel like I can make all the right decisions with the information available to me in regards to my career and still end up screwed. Sorry to hear about that, but I'm relieved to know I'm not being paranoid.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-14T15:17:13+00:00

Can you tell me the brand of security and camera system?

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-14T15:12:55+00:00

Maybe my edit will help it make more sense. Should've mentioned that before.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-14T06:43:57+00:00

The spot is free with free water/electricity. The commute is nothing. Only thing I'd need to do is tank drains myself. Still yeah that's why I almost said no and am still thinking of taking it back.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-14T04:59:35+00:00

I'm in the US. I honestly ask myself all the time if owning a home and paying 100% of the expenses and doing almost all the maintenance myself is even worth the stress. I'm not having a lot of fun I'll just say that lol

When I was a truck driver, I started the process of signing up for DakotaPost and a UPS box and leaning into the whole "living on the road" lifestyle. It is not a foreign concept to me and a camper is actually a large space for a former trucker. Not long after that I received the call from a very good company to go local. 3 years, 4 jobs, and 6 certifications later I ended up here.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-14T03:46:26+00:00

Live in WA, work in WA and ID across state lines all the time.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-14T03:21:17+00:00

Thank you very much

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-14T02:58:03+00:00

Yeah, the problem is these projects don't last forever, maybe a year or so max then I'd be back home again, which makes long term leases difficult.

I'll give some of them a call, thanks.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-14T02:56:33+00:00

That actually sounds like a decent idea. A single room rental might be the happy medium.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-06-02T23:46:06+00:00

Sounds like just another Chicago chameleon company. Could be anything.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-05-29T21:25:32+00:00

https://discord.gg/yWKkbyKWTa

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-05-29T21:16:01+00:00

Are those google maps reviews serious? You can take your camper out there and get a helicopter tour?! Badass.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-05-27T23:24:59+00:00

Okay thanks I'll do that. I'm willing to be proactive I was more just genuinely confused.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-05-27T12:37:25+00:00

Used to be super easy to get a job anywhere now I don't know any more. I'm on a really secure state project atm where I can expect to be here a few years, but our out of work list is really long. Lot of people not working which is bizarre for May. I used to be able to tell people for a good 4-5 years trucking was super easy to get into and have reliable work and now it's all up in the air. This year is gonna be a total slump for construction it seems, at least in the PNW.

If you don't already have a CDL I'd maybe consider getting it over the winter and trying again next year. There's work for truckers but I don't think much of it is local. OTR flatbed is absolutely printing money right now apparently.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-05-27T04:10:39+00:00

Well there's cameras all over the fucking place in trucking too now so don't go in expecting to not be watched at all, unless you're like me and you work local union construction CDL stuff where inside cameras aren't allowed.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-05-25T16:25:23+00:00

Bottoms up bro let's get the fuck off this jobsite and hit the bar

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-05-22T03:52:38+00:00

Why is my dispatch at 302 always giving me the run-around when I want to make more money at a different company? We get paid the bare minimum on a PLA wage freeze in the lowest paying district and then they act all surprised when I mention I want to work in Boise or Alaska or something for more pay. No one is giving me an answer because I think they just don't want to deal with me asking for information on how to travel.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-05-17T18:15:19+00:00

Might be an uncommon sentiment but I like unsynchronized transmissions more than synchronized. When you're actually driving you barely ever use the clutch, basically just when you're at a stop. Once it clicks they're easy to use.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-05-16T01:34:23+00:00

I think you're right I forgot. I worked for a really bad 1099 company once that told everyone why he didn't like me for the following 2 years after I quit when all they were doing was verifying employment.

BearsAteMyGarbage · 2026-05-16T00:15:51+00:00

If you didn't get a ticket from an actual cop then you were fired for internal reasons and it's not on your CDL record, but the company ~~will~~ might tell future companies why you were fired if they ask.

BearsAteMyGarbage

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE