whats it like to be a tow truck driver

i just got my cdl b and thinkin about applyin for a tow truck job to get experience to get a cdl job. whats it like when your not doing a call and waiting for a call? do you just drive around or do you sit back at the shop? do they let you go home with the truck and wait?

all companys are diffrent my company i get to go home in between calls and do whatever..Job is hard to get used to but after my first few weeks im attached to it. If your the type of person that likes helping people out and dont mind being on call( sometimes it sucks when your in the middle of doing something) Then this job would be right for you...

there's a couple of factors you should consider before getting a job in towing, #1 the tow truck driver image is not so glorious, people are gonna look at you like you are a thief, crook, a moron who can't do anything else in life, but when they need you, it's the complete opposite! #2 you have to be able to handle cry babies 'cause your'e gonna be working with some! #3 people are f@#%ing stupid! your'e gonna meet alot of them!, if you make any remarks about their stupidity it's gonna come back at you faster than any other job in the world 'cause no one wants to feel dummer than a tow truck operator! #4 anybody stupid enough to spend $100,000.00 on a car will feel very proud, inteligent, better than anyone else, so watch out for scrathes and other damages before you touch the car specially if it's un-attended 'cause they'll blame it on you!(personal experience). #5 be prepared to work long hours specially if you work in the northen region where there's a lot of snow/ice in the winter months.

on the other hand, it's not a bad job, flexible hours, it can pay if you know how to sell, and it opens doors wider than any other jobs out there, if you want to become a mecanic, you'll get to know all the dealerships/garages/bodyshops and you'll find out eventually wich one is best to work for. when you get on scene of an accident where the car is on it's roof or in the lake or in the living room or in a tree....yes, in a tree, i've seen some!!! remember, there's alot of stupid people out there and most of them have a driver's licence! anyway, when the fire dept./police/paramedics are done with what they have to do, it's gonna be your turn and everybody's gonna be looking at you wondering how the hell your'e gonna do this?? and you'll feel like a rock star!! specially if the news is on scene.

have fun! :)

I have been towing in new york city since jan 2001.if you want to become a tow truck driver,forget it.the average shift is 10 hours or more.if you do aaa towing that's 120 dollars for 6 days a week 12 hour shifts,,if u lucky.marshal towing gets you 150 a shift.10 to 14 hour shifts.if you do repos,you makin no money.even with da fancy camera car.I. dnt wana hear it,you won't find half da cars banks send to you seek.I've been der,I've seen it..the rates that companies pay drivers has not gone up at all.the company makes all the money.no benefits,no raises,no vacation pay,,etc.all big tow companies do one thing,screw the Drivers in every way so they kan make a penny..my favorite time to tow is during xmass,,like now,,you dnt get a bonus,and two Weeks off,, With no pay.if you want the benefits that's owed to you,you have. To go dept of labor,and you have to sue them for it.seen it happen..all the companies don't care about you or your family.
Thell tell you if you dnt like it,,we just hire someone else..some new guy that doesn't know.I was one of those guys.if you like working long hours with shady coworkers and tons of bs,with low pay,,towing is for you. to say it since I've ben out here for a decade,but its the truth,if I kan stop just one person from towing,,my ten plus years were worth it.its a trap....dnt throw away your life.
This christmas I had 180bucks for xmass shopin.thanx boss....nice benz u in.
So I hope I will run into someone that will change my life for da better.kuz towing messd it up.....wishful thinking.

Tow truck facts....
You will make some cash one day,u will fool urself into thinkn it will happen again.
You will not make enough money.
You will work with dishonest socialpaths.
No benefits.
No vacation pay.
No bonus.
Long hours,6 to 7 days a week.
People will love and hate you,sometimes all at once.
Diesel fumes.
No future,dead end job.period.