#REMOTE FORKLIFT DRIVER JOBS DRIVERS#

Indeed, Ring stresses using remote operators does not result in any job losses for on-site drivers because of the labor shortage or declines in efficiency. The training “is designed so that any Phantom trainee, regardless of prior operational experience, can develop the skills needed to safely and efficiently remotely operate,” said Katz.Īt ITS ConGlobal the Phantom technology is used not only to operate yard trucks, but also to conduct distance learning for training operators-a capability that became especially important to create safe distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic, said Ring. They must also attain OSHA certification and pass a final exam. Operators go through Phantom's remote operator training which includes both classroom and hands-on instruction. Katz says demand is high for remote equipment operators noting, “We are actively hiring operators to keep up with the pace of deployment, and aim to have hundreds of operators this year.” Most work in Phantom operations centers while some work from home. “Every every couple minutes you want to take a step back and say wow for how crazy technology has gotten to the point where I can operate a forklift 1000 miles away,” said Blazquez from his bedroom/workplace.īlazquez, Pollack and Amit are among the 50 or so people operating vehicles remotely using the Phantom system for the company's various clients. Phantom set up equipment in his bedroom where he remotely operates forklifts in a number of states. Instead, the family moved into the house in the much lower-cost area.

He got to have it all.īlazquez and his wife had bought a house near Helena, Montana they had hoped to turn into an investment, perhaps running it as a vacation rental property. When the married father of three lost the lease on the condo his family was renting at a cut rate, Blazquez quickly found he couldn't find a new home in the expensive area he could afford on his current salary and he didn't want to move, giving up his well-paying job. That's when he began working as a remote operator for Phantom. I can apparently drive a vehicle for eight hours a day without a problem.”Īlex Blazquez remotely operating a forklift located in Texas from 1,600 miles away in Montana Phantom AutoĪlex Blazquez is a prime example of how being able to work remotely actually prevented someone already employed in the sector from leaving.Īfter working for IKEA in the San Francisco Bay area for 11 years in various warehouse roles including driving a forklift he was laid off in 2021.

I'm in Ypsilanti, Michigan which is not in the state of California. “My forklift is currently located in the state of California. “I am remotely driving forklifts,” she proudly told. Pollack is now gainfully employed, and grateful. The head of the organization had been in touch with Katz and approached Pollack about a job. The restaurant where Pollack worked is operated by the West Bloomfield, Mich.-based organization The Friendship Circle which supports people with special needs. The situation left them unemployed for about three years. Identifying as non-binary who suffers from vertigo and is on the autism spectrum, Pollack was not able to continue in their position as a cook at a restaurant in a Detroit suburb because standing for long periods of time became a challenge. Harmony Pollack remotely operating a forklift located in California from 2,400 miles away in.

Remote forklift driver jobs