Any drivers here with a diploma or degree in diesel technology? My hours are stable enough to attend school during the day, so I figure why not do something worthwhile. Having this diploma certainly wouldn't help me in the my current job, as Penske takes care of all the mechanics; and I mean everything. The program is only one year, so I can't imagine it being enough to really be a competent mechanic, but who knows?

Questions:

1. Is it pretty much required for Owner Operators to have these diplomas(or knowledge in heavy truck mechanics passed down nontraditional)?

2. What percentage of drivers have these diplomas?

3. How worthwhile are these diplomas, especially the 1 year programs?

4. If this diploma is only year long, and if this is simply not enough time to be competent, then where is one to go for a comprehensive diesel mechanic course? All the tech schools in my area only do the 1 year thing.

Well it certainly couldn't HURT anything! I don't know how much is involved in their schooling, and I doubt that it will help you in getting HIRED as a company driver.

But it just might be a personal help to you if you are broke down on some lonely road, waiting for a dispatcher who could care less to call a mechanic for you. And it might be a real help to you if you become O/O.

I would think in this case, the knowledge would be more benificial than the diploma. After all, that is just a piece of paper.

Being as this is a drivers' website, I assume you want to drive rigs. If that's the case, you definitely do NOT need a diploma in diesel mechanics. Back in the "good ol' days", drivers worked on their own rigs. Not so today. Today's engines are outfitted to the hilt with electronics and are under long-term warranties--companies don't want drivers messing with the mechanic's side of things today. As a driver, you will be asked to add fluids and maybe, maybe change a fuel filter. That's about as far as it goes.

I have known O/Os in my time, and none had a DT diploma or any other mechanics training. They wouldn't have worked on their engines even if they would have had the diploma. The thought of these guys working on their N-14s or Cat 16s is ridiculous, as is the notion of their carrying around all the tools and such to do that.

However, considering you are obviously green to the industry (or you would already know the answers to these questions), you have to weigh the prospect that you won't like driving rigs after you take the plunge. A lot of guys do like it, and a lot of guys don't. Unfortunately, some of those who don't like it find themselves stuck in it with no options. A diesel diploma would help you avoid that problem.

Unfortunately, if you do get the diploma in diesel tech, and then go drive rigs for a year or longer, you may not be able to get a job later as a diesel mechanic if you do walk away from driving. You may have to go back and take some sort of refresher course in DT before you can get a job as a mechanic. This is definitely a consideration.

I'd chose one or the other. Not both. I'd far more than likely choose the diesel mech path. Diesel mechs earn a good salary, and they're home every night and can take a shower twice a day if they want. They don't have to deal with the problems OTR drivers have to deal with, problems which make OTR driving not worth the trouble given the present pay rates.

__________________
--Paved Dudley--

Yeah I drive a Swift truck
And that means one thing
It means she's slow
It's a typical company truck
It's just all show and no go

I'm gettin' passed by Yella
And even Overnite
I'm gettin' passed by ever' body in sight
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight

No, my hometown's nowhere in sight
And if you think I'm pissed off
You're right
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight


Love pissing off those trucking company insiders.