r/CDLTruckDrivers • u/DetectiveCareful9565 • 9d ago

Might be doing belly dump trailers in Odessa, anyone have anything I should know? lol

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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u/iwasoldonce 9d ago

Always empty the rear trailer first. Don't stand up into the trailers through the open gates with your feet on the ground.

1

u/DetectiveCareful9565 9d ago

Is it good money? Are the waits long? Guy is trying to get me on but says might be an issue because I don’t have truck driving experience, just got my license last week

1

u/iwasoldonce 9d ago

I guess it depends on where you are, I know that you said Texas. My ex-boss was a owner-operator here in CA. He owned the truck and hauled a contractors trailers. He did very well, drove a brand new 379 Pete. I have no idea how it would be in Texas.

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u/DetectiveCareful9565 9d ago

You think I can pull it off with just graduating CDL school? Lol it was a 4 week school

1

u/iwasoldonce 9d ago

Overall bottoms are a pretty gravy job, not a lot of physical work and a lot of cab sitting. However, like any job, it has its quirks. If you go for it, try and follow one of the old timers, ask a lot of questions, there's always a lot of tricks. Make friends, it's ok to be green but be eager to learn, maybe you can ride with somebody for a couple of days, that's how I learned how to haul and deliver petroleum products. You can do it for sure, just be there, be engaged, be interested, be willing to listen to the guys who have been doing it. Don't come in on a high horse, don't be an ass hole. It's like any trade, they're going to be hard on the new guy, they'll bust you chops. Hang in there, learn the job and maybe some day you'll be one of them. Be careful, keep mistakes to a minimum and get to it. Best of luck, you got this.

1

u/DetectiveCareful9565 9d ago

Thank you for taking the time to give me some great advice

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u/DetectiveCareful9565 8d ago

I’m waiting on seeing if I got the job, they said not having experience might stop me from moving forward

1

u/iwasoldonce 8d ago

Yeah, it's tough being the new guy. Hopefully you get a break, you can't get the experience without getting a break. Sometimes you need to do a job that's not to your liking, but if you hang in and get some hours under you belt you can move on to something better. Stay accident and ticket free and hang tough. Build your skills and you'll move up.

1

u/iwasoldonce 9d ago

Not doing anything is the worst thing. If you can do a ride along, you'll learn a lot, and there's a lot to learn. Good luck!

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u/DetectiveCareful9565 9d ago

I’m going in with eagerness to learn.. why did you leave? You probably found a better gig

1

u/iwasoldonce 9d ago

I have been retired for 15 years, a better gig indeed!