I've been thinking of getting out of this business lately. I applied for a regular truck driver job that is a salaried regional 4 state run that requires 1 or 2 overnights per week. It is guaranteed money and full time work. I told my work I put in an application. And after a few days of talking they offered me 30 hrs guaranteed pay to stay. I absolutely love what I do, I've been in this concrete business for a long time in some form or another, I guess it's in my blood. I took their offer and decided to stay where I'm at. The driving job paid 42,500 to start with 2% raise every year. 2 weeks paid vacation and paid holidays with paid sick days also. I make $25.00 hr now. Anybody think I made a mistake? I know I will make more here but the market is so iffy anymore it gets a little scary. Let me know.

You definetly made the right choice. I have done both the local and long haul aspest of trucking and believe me it is not worth it! Any kind of a hassle you get from contractors or your dispatcher is nothing compared to the crap you will go through when you become a trucker. A concrete pumper is everyones hero until the job is done and a trucker is looked upon as a nuisance to the everyday travels of Joe public. I could go on but there just isn't enough room...lol

Truck Driving job:

$42.5K yr.  = $20.43 hr   1st year

$43,350    = $20.84 hr   2nd year

$44,217    = $21.25 hr   3rd year  ect...

2 weeks vacation = nice perk

paid holidays & sick days = again, nice perk

1.  are you compensated for overtime - or is it a salaried position?

2.  Does this job feel the effects of a down turned economy?  weather? hunting season?

3.  Is the truck equipped with the essential chrome accessories?

Concrete Pumping job:

(guaranteed)30hrs @ $25 = $39,000 yr

40hrs @ $25 = $52,000 yr

Are there bennies?  Healthcare? Vacation? holidays? 401k/pension?

Let me start by saying only you know what's right for you and your situation. The pumping business is slow for sure, so it's always good to have a back up somewhere down the line. Keep this in mind though, just about anyone can go to any state and drive a tractor trailer as long as they have a CDL, but not just anyone can go to any state and run a concrete pump truck. This is a great business to stay a part of and have a future in. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Thanks everybody for responding. I forgot to mention that the new job would be only 8 miles from the house vs. 25 miles. I could drive all week on my 3 gallon tank on my motorcycle!! WOW!!!! Oh, I know I made the right decision. Besides wouldn't all of you miss me?

i also think u made the right decision i had the same situation bout 3 mnths ago work was slow and when im in the shop i get 13 $ and hr in town 20.35 and on the power plant 24.35 but i just wasnt gettn and hrs and tha doesnt pay the bills i got offerd a job driving a big ass dump truck on the power plant for 24 somethin and hr but only 40hrs and the job was only for 2 mnths without guaranteed job placement afterwords plus it would get boring after a while sittin in a truck all day for ever my boss got wind of it and offered me 30 hrs guaranteed in the end i got 35 but to be honest ive made more money in the last 2mnths than i have all summer work has really picked up lately but in the end i would rather make 40,000 a year than 50,000 if the 40 job made me more happy than the 50