Truck driving jobs

Where are you going to drive to??? the island is only 7 miles across.

Well, tell me, are there gas stations on the island? Where do they get their fuel? Don't they have it delivered by fuel tanker trucks?
How about water delivery are there companies who deliver water? What about moving companies are there any there?
What are you saying to me? There are no tractor trailor rigs on island? How about the soft drinks in the stores how do they get there? And groceries for that matter, how are they delivered to the grocery stores? I know island life isn't like the mainland but please tell me they don't use carts and donkies for these deliveries.

A cement truck is about the biggest truck I've seen here. There are some rigs pulling garbage trailers, and a few straight truck dumpster/haulers, but I can't seem to remember any 18 wheelers. Keep in mind that the roads are narrow and winding here. I think a large straight truck even has it's problems getting around.

I have seen full rigs pulling heavy equipment on the east end. They have quite a time getting around the curve in front of our house. It would not be for someone used to turnpike/four lane driving. At the very least you might want to come and drive the roads a bit before thinking it would be an easy transition.

Kathy C,

You asked about the job market on island for driving "18 wheelers" and as Island Ed and others have suggested, there isn't a need for 18 wheelers (or their drivers) on island. Fuel and water trucks are pretty small (it can take several deliveries to fill a cistern.) Also, those jobs often remain in families i.e. there are only a couple of water delivery folks and all of their employees are cousins, uncles, brothers etc. and if they need to branch out beyond the family there are always lots of friends from high school and the like. Many of the soft drinks I've seen delivered are actually delivered in vans. In addition to large trucks experiencing difficulty maneuvering here, since the islands are so small there's no need to load a truck for a day's deliveries, a driver can simply return to the depot multiple times each day to restock his van. That said, there are people on island employeed as drivers but I don't think this is a market with much turnover because it is relatively unskilled labor, something abundant on island. What turnover there is would likely be filled by friends of current employees.

dntw8up, thank you very much for the information. So, what do you guys do for a living? Are you all retired?
Suppose someone wanted to open a company that delivers water, do you think there's a market for another water company?

Kathy C: Have you visited St Croix? I hope you will come for a look-see, find some short-term job before planning on starting a business! And folks here really are trying to give you some good advice about moving. It is an old VI tradition to tell newcomers all the negatives before they find them out on their own! 😉

Kathy C.,

No, folks here are not all retired. There are lots of people working in tourism related industries -- in resorts, on boats, in restaurants and in shops. Many islanders work for the VI government. Unless you have a much needed skill, like a doctor, upon relocation you will likely find yourself working in an industry unrelated to your past experience or future expectations.

Most jobs here are filled by word of mouth and islanders need to get to know you before they're likely to tell you about the most desirable positions. Most everybody who moves here must first develop a network of local acquaintances. This is they way the most desirable housing is obtained as well. It's a small community and people here tend to take care of each other. Islanders welcome those who relocate but so many people have come and gone that islanders tend to want to see that you have staying power before they really take you into the fold.

As I understand it, the drivers for the biggest cement company make between $10-$14.00 an hour, and these are some of the most skilled truck drivers, getting those loads up remote and steep locations. Not exactly the stateside pay scale.

If they get paid by the hour, why do they drive those things as if they were sports cars!? 😀

Kathy C: I've been reading your many questions and the great responses you've received and feel compelled to add to East Ender's comment about coming to the islands to see what island living is all about. I can only assume from your posts that you haven't yet made a PMV but are you planning one? I think a PMV would be an excellent investment for you to make if you're seriously considering a move.

As I'm sure you've already gathered from responses to your questions, there are so many variables here within the islands and getting a first hand look at both STX and STT will provide you with a wealth of information and insight which can only be touched upon in the forum.

Good luck!

So this morning I was sandwiched between two big trucks. The one in front was belching black smoke and had a license plate that you could barely (although I did) see. The one behind was riding my...bumper. When he passed me, I noticed he had the same license plate as the one in front of me. Neither one had the required front plate. Great way to save money, I guess!! 😉 Just another way that the VI is "different."

There are indeed fuel delivery trucks and water delivery trucks on St. Croix. One of the larger fuel delivery companies is called Bunkers of St. Croix and they do hire drivers now and then. There are a couple of smaller companies that mostly hire family. The water delivery companies are often family owned and they are more likely to hire a family member to drive their trucks. There are companies that deliver cargo from the container port on the south shore. These are also often family owned and more likely to hire a family member or long-time friend, but they might still be worth talking to just in case they have an opening. You can try the cement or paving companies, too. VIAPCO is the largest, I believe. We don't have all that much in the way of moving companies. Most locals build their own home and then live in it forever. Most houses are sold furnished, so even when people move they aren't taking all that much with them. The largest moving that goes on is when people arrive on the island and have a full container shipped in... which gets you back to the container port shipping companies who deliver those containers. They also deliver to the grocery stores and the KMarts and the hardware and lumber stores, etc.

Thank you Alexandra