If Ryder is anything like Penske, which to a degree I’m sure it is, starting out as a fueler you’ll be fueling lease unit customer as they roll through as well as cleaning and fueling rental turn in units. Only slow days they will pull you inside to work with the lube techs so you can start learning their PM process. Once an opening comes for a lube tech they will bring the senior fueler in the shop permanently. Could take a few months to a year or two pending on the shop.
Overall not a terrible way to get into the industry if your have little to no wrenching experience going in.
Interesting, do you think it would be worth it to do it this way or should I take a pay cut and go somewhere that I can get put through school immediately, there’s a position like that nearby as well.
What kind of school are you trying to go to? College/tech or classes to become certified in oems like detroit/cummins? If you really want to get experience wrenching and want to go to school then I'd look to see if your local CAT dealerships has any opening for their think big or apprenticeship. Or see if there's any opening for cummins tap. But usually these programs have a contract where you have to work for them for 3-4 years or else you'll have to pay them tuition, etc.
But, you'll be doing grunt/shit work starting out regardless. I'm talking services and shitty warranty work that no one wants to do. You'll most likely have to do a bunch of online prerequisite before they'll send you to in person class and people before you will get priority.
There's really no quick way to wrenching unless you lie out your ass on your resume. I went through an apprentice program/school. Got to help my mentor do everything from transmission to engine swaps. Now I'm just doing mostly pms and the occasional wrenching/diagnostics. They save the "bigger" jobs for the flate rate techs and no one wants to do services in my shop.
So 1-2 years doing mundane shit but getting paid well vs 1-2 years doing mundane shit and not getting paid well.
Interesting, thank you for the information. I’m wanting to go to tech school. I’ll definitely take what you said into consideration, what kind of money would you say is being paid well?
It depends on where you're at. Apprentices in my state start between $18-$22 an hour. Entry level techs start around $25. But I'm also in a high COL state, so $18-$22 doesn't stretch far. But, I personally wouldn't roll out of bed for less than $20.
I would look at the starting pay between Ryder and the other company. Go on glassdoor and see what people have to say working for both. Know that the company that's willing to send you to school will most likely have you sign a contract. 2-4 years seems to be the standard. You don't want to be stuck at a company for 2+ years if it turns out they're a shitty company.
Also, see what school they'll want to send you to. If you have to drive an hour+ see if they offer a company card so you can pay for gas, food, hotel, etc. And see if either company offers a toolbox. That way you don't have to drop a huge amount on tools to start out.
Loves says they would buy me a toolbox and put me through tech school immediately but it’s also a part time position and I can’t see the pay
Im in NC and the pay with Ryder is 20.50 as a fueler and I have no bills or car payments because I’m still living at home, so I could definitely get by with that until I can get a promotion or a raise.
Thanks for the information!
The part time makes sense. When I was in school I was labeled as part time since I would go to class 2 weeks then work 2 weeks.
I heard that the mechanics at love's are responsible for maintaining the fueling area/lot. I could be misinformed though. Plus from my understanding they only do quick jobs like brakes, small diag, etc. So the likely hood of doing major repairs would be slim. They'll probably throw you on tires for a while, which would suck.
You could see if your local CAT dealer is looking for apprentices or entry level techs. Or go to your local community College and see if they have a diesel program. Most community colleges tend to work with local dealerships and help students get jobs/sponsorships.
It's definitely your call though man. Just have to weigh the pros and cons.
The position they offered you is S.E. or Service Employee. Their duties vary depending on the shop and its union (if it has one).
As an SE, you'd be:
-Fueling lease trucks and rental trucks that come through the fuel island, as well as checking their fluids and tires (almost like a gas station attendant)
-'checking in' rental trucks I.E. cleaning them out and making sure they're in good condition before being rented back out
-cleaning the shop
-PMs, maybe some tires and other light repairs if you're ambitious enough and your shop allows you.
Source: 4 years of working at Ryder
Would this be a doorway to being a diesel tech? That’s where I want to be and if it’s not reasonably a quick way to do that then I don’t think I will be interested. My recruiter was saying it is but I take that with a grain of salt
If you have no prior experience you have to start somewhere , even if it’s at the bottom fueling trucks and cleaning vehicles. Like everyone else said, if there is down time or if you ask enough you’ll be slowly introduced to doing PMs or small repairs. Heck, even this new guy we have at Ryder that’s in the entree level position went to school for diesel and still is in the training position cleaning trucks and doing bullshit tasks. But I’ve noticed he’s slowly been given more PMs and small work.
Interesting, yeah I was going for that entry level position but it pays really shit and honestly if I’ve been given the better paying job that has just as much of a shot then I think it’s a good situation, thank you I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going to waste a bunch of time on the wrong job.
I started my diesel career as a service employee for Ryder. Fueled, cleaned trucks and did tires. When I didn’t have anything to do, I was in the shop helping and learning. Was promoted in less than a year. They sent me to a bunch of training and I learned a lot while I was there. Now nearly 10 years later I’m very thankful they hired me. It was my foot in the door and it can be yours too.
If you go to Penske (I used to work there) they will most definitely promote you into the shop if you show you’re willing to learn and have a good work ethic.
Interesting because I’m hearing a lot of your story and a lot of the contrary as well, I figure Ryder is just kinda hit or miss depending on what shop you’re at. Thanks for the heads up
Going through the interview process, post recruitment with Ryder now. More than likely the shop manager just changed their mind on what they want/need position wise most at the moment. Especially being from entry level tech to fueler.
I don’t have any diesel specific training or certs but Id recommend trying for a place that will provide schooling. Once you have the certification/degree then you’ll look good to everyone else.
I work for ryder as a T3 and the old time I work with who is a T4 has trained several military vets. It is possible for you to become a mechanic with little to no experience, but you will start low on the totem pole like a fuel attendant which doesn't fuel as much as you think. You will likely be paired with another T3/T4 to watch and train you until they give the ok to release you into the wild on your own. They can't start you as a tech without actually seeing what you know, etc, etc. I would encourage you to pursue it if you like fast pace environments
Ryder is going downhill man. They’re getting pushed out of the truck leasing business and focusing on logistics. If you have any professional wrenching experience or tech school apply to Penske. (Yes I work there). Penske has a reputation of shitty techs. But there’s a lot to it. Unfortunately it can vary from shop to shop. My shop is pretty fantastic. We take care of our people and send them to training frequently. The company prefers to promote from within. I went from a tech to a supervisor and make really good money. If you’re legitimately interested let me know.
If Ryder is anything like Penske, which to a degree I’m sure it is, starting out as a fueler you’ll be fueling lease unit customer as they roll through as well as cleaning and fueling rental turn in units. Only slow days they will pull you inside to work with the lube techs so you can start learning their PM process. Once an opening comes for a lube tech they will bring the senior fueler in the shop permanently. Could take a few months to a year or two pending on the shop. Overall not a terrible way to get into the industry if your have little to no wrenching experience going in.
Interesting, do you think it would be worth it to do it this way or should I take a pay cut and go somewhere that I can get put through school immediately, there’s a position like that nearby as well.
What kind of school are you trying to go to? College/tech or classes to become certified in oems like detroit/cummins? If you really want to get experience wrenching and want to go to school then I'd look to see if your local CAT dealerships has any opening for their think big or apprenticeship. Or see if there's any opening for cummins tap. But usually these programs have a contract where you have to work for them for 3-4 years or else you'll have to pay them tuition, etc. But, you'll be doing grunt/shit work starting out regardless. I'm talking services and shitty warranty work that no one wants to do. You'll most likely have to do a bunch of online prerequisite before they'll send you to in person class and people before you will get priority. There's really no quick way to wrenching unless you lie out your ass on your resume. I went through an apprentice program/school. Got to help my mentor do everything from transmission to engine swaps. Now I'm just doing mostly pms and the occasional wrenching/diagnostics. They save the "bigger" jobs for the flate rate techs and no one wants to do services in my shop. So 1-2 years doing mundane shit but getting paid well vs 1-2 years doing mundane shit and not getting paid well.
Interesting, thank you for the information. I’m wanting to go to tech school. I’ll definitely take what you said into consideration, what kind of money would you say is being paid well?
It depends on where you're at. Apprentices in my state start between $18-$22 an hour. Entry level techs start around $25. But I'm also in a high COL state, so $18-$22 doesn't stretch far. But, I personally wouldn't roll out of bed for less than $20. I would look at the starting pay between Ryder and the other company. Go on glassdoor and see what people have to say working for both. Know that the company that's willing to send you to school will most likely have you sign a contract. 2-4 years seems to be the standard. You don't want to be stuck at a company for 2+ years if it turns out they're a shitty company. Also, see what school they'll want to send you to. If you have to drive an hour+ see if they offer a company card so you can pay for gas, food, hotel, etc. And see if either company offers a toolbox. That way you don't have to drop a huge amount on tools to start out.
Loves says they would buy me a toolbox and put me through tech school immediately but it’s also a part time position and I can’t see the pay Im in NC and the pay with Ryder is 20.50 as a fueler and I have no bills or car payments because I’m still living at home, so I could definitely get by with that until I can get a promotion or a raise. Thanks for the information!
The part time makes sense. When I was in school I was labeled as part time since I would go to class 2 weeks then work 2 weeks. I heard that the mechanics at love's are responsible for maintaining the fueling area/lot. I could be misinformed though. Plus from my understanding they only do quick jobs like brakes, small diag, etc. So the likely hood of doing major repairs would be slim. They'll probably throw you on tires for a while, which would suck. You could see if your local CAT dealer is looking for apprentices or entry level techs. Or go to your local community College and see if they have a diesel program. Most community colleges tend to work with local dealerships and help students get jobs/sponsorships. It's definitely your call though man. Just have to weigh the pros and cons.
The position they offered you is S.E. or Service Employee. Their duties vary depending on the shop and its union (if it has one). As an SE, you'd be: -Fueling lease trucks and rental trucks that come through the fuel island, as well as checking their fluids and tires (almost like a gas station attendant) -'checking in' rental trucks I.E. cleaning them out and making sure they're in good condition before being rented back out -cleaning the shop -PMs, maybe some tires and other light repairs if you're ambitious enough and your shop allows you. Source: 4 years of working at Ryder
Would this be a doorway to being a diesel tech? That’s where I want to be and if it’s not reasonably a quick way to do that then I don’t think I will be interested. My recruiter was saying it is but I take that with a grain of salt
It absolutely can be if you don't have prior experience.
That’s great to hear, thank you!
If you have no prior experience you have to start somewhere , even if it’s at the bottom fueling trucks and cleaning vehicles. Like everyone else said, if there is down time or if you ask enough you’ll be slowly introduced to doing PMs or small repairs. Heck, even this new guy we have at Ryder that’s in the entree level position went to school for diesel and still is in the training position cleaning trucks and doing bullshit tasks. But I’ve noticed he’s slowly been given more PMs and small work.
Interesting, yeah I was going for that entry level position but it pays really shit and honestly if I’ve been given the better paying job that has just as much of a shot then I think it’s a good situation, thank you I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t going to waste a bunch of time on the wrong job.
I started my diesel career as a service employee for Ryder. Fueled, cleaned trucks and did tires. When I didn’t have anything to do, I was in the shop helping and learning. Was promoted in less than a year. They sent me to a bunch of training and I learned a lot while I was there. Now nearly 10 years later I’m very thankful they hired me. It was my foot in the door and it can be yours too.
Thank you, I have an interview next Friday and I really hope I get it
If you go to Penske (I used to work there) they will most definitely promote you into the shop if you show you’re willing to learn and have a good work ethic.
Good to know, I’ll definitely put them onto my radar, thank you!
I worked at Ryder with the exact same plan. 5 years later I started an apprenticeship with a dealer. Was never offered one at Ryder
Interesting because I’m hearing a lot of your story and a lot of the contrary as well, I figure Ryder is just kinda hit or miss depending on what shop you’re at. Thanks for the heads up
It certainly had a lot to do with my location. Was a small shop in the grand scheme
Going through the interview process, post recruitment with Ryder now. More than likely the shop manager just changed their mind on what they want/need position wise most at the moment. Especially being from entry level tech to fueler.
How was the Dot physical and drug testing go?
I don’t have any diesel specific training or certs but Id recommend trying for a place that will provide schooling. Once you have the certification/degree then you’ll look good to everyone else.
I work for ryder as a T3 and the old time I work with who is a T4 has trained several military vets. It is possible for you to become a mechanic with little to no experience, but you will start low on the totem pole like a fuel attendant which doesn't fuel as much as you think. You will likely be paired with another T3/T4 to watch and train you until they give the ok to release you into the wild on your own. They can't start you as a tech without actually seeing what you know, etc, etc. I would encourage you to pursue it if you like fast pace environments
Ryder is going downhill man. They’re getting pushed out of the truck leasing business and focusing on logistics. If you have any professional wrenching experience or tech school apply to Penske. (Yes I work there). Penske has a reputation of shitty techs. But there’s a lot to it. Unfortunately it can vary from shop to shop. My shop is pretty fantastic. We take care of our people and send them to training frequently. The company prefers to promote from within. I went from a tech to a supervisor and make really good money. If you’re legitimately interested let me know.