Running western

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by proxima, Nov 21, 2014.

  1. proxima

    proxima Light Load Member

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    Mar 19, 2011
    Orlando, FL
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    It has been a while since I was last on here. I am in school finishing up my A.S. next semester, and want to move on to my Bachelors, but I have been thinking of taking a break and save some money. I need the break, and my adviser agrees for once. My sister offered me to stay at her place for a while and giving me a chance to live somewhere else for a time being and I might take the opportunity to go. I have been thinking about moving out west for a while also, but mainly Seattle, but I want to get my Bachelors first.

    During the break from school, I want to take the opportunity to travel and see things, and after speaking with my aunt, that drives for Werner. We talked when she visited, and I am thinking of driving for a year, and then return to school... I will be taking online classes while I drive, so it will not all be wasted just a class here or there. When she showed my her paychecks, it got my gears turning and it might be a good way for me to save some money and I might be able to pay for my classes without taking out a big loan.

    I am thinking of getting my CDL here in Florida, but would it be easy to transfer it to California? Also, what will be a good company that run's the western states?
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    You can transfer your Florida CDL to California with no problem.
    Coastal Transport Co. has terminals in California and hires new CDL grads.
    Trimac Transportation
    Northern Refrigerated Transportation

    Plenty more to choose from.
    Some companies are picky about CDL schools, so if you see a company you're interested in, call and ask about the schools they recruit from.
    Get all the endorsements plus TWIC and passport.
     
  4. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Bear in mind that getting into driving a truck takes a about 2-4 weeks getting through a CDL school, likely with no pay. Then you will get hired on with a company and train for about a month at very low pay. After you finish training and start running solo you will make relatively little money the first year.

    If I were in your shoes I would get into driving full time for at least two years. The second year the pay scale at a given company will start getting you into much better paychecks and if you go with a company sponsored school your school is paid off the first year and the second year they may pay you BACK for the school (in other words you are paid for going through school).

    If you live in the truck you can save significant money as long as you don't buy fast food or eat at restaurants frequently. You should be able to live well for about $1000 per month or less. After two years you will likely have enough in the bank to spend on college.
     
  5. BIF MALIBU

    BIF MALIBU Heavy Load Member

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    there is lots of jobs in seattle . you might not need to drive a truck with a little education. tell the big software/airplane company/navybase etc you want an entry level position!!
     
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  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Just watched a news report on that very subject; those companies want foreign workers with H1-B visa. Aircraft companies are outsourcing their R&D to Poland, believe it or not. It seems the American higher education system is awash with junk courses that waste a students time and don't pertain to what's needed in the work force. England made corrections to their higher education curriculum and now focus only on what the job market seeks; thus in England a Bachelors in 3 yrs. and a Masters in 4 years.
     
    heyns57 Thanks this.
  7. proxima

    proxima Light Load Member

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    Mar 19, 2011
    Orlando, FL
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    That is the one thing that pissed me off with this current degree is all of the Bull ###### classes I have to take that does not even pertain to the degree that I am interested in. I do see the point of some of the gen ed classes such as Algebra, and the English. With the IT degree that I am working on, majority of the core classes were all business related, and not really relevant in the networking aspect of the IT.

    Now that I think of it, I should have went to CSN and then transferred to UNLV and I could have gone to school for free to UNLV, but the job market for IT work sucks out there, even in the security field. I am surprised that Mitnick is still running his shop out of Henderson. I am even considering to move Henderson, NV so I can possibly attend UNLV, and I also like the area.

    On the the topic, my aunt suggested Watkins Shepard and looking at their map, it appears that they have a terminal about an hour from where my sister lives... or more like 3 hours on the I-5 there in the LA area.
     
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Watkins-Shepard also has a terminal in Las Vegas.

    If you choose Henderson/Las Vegas area here's a contact to help you find an apartment or condo to rent:

    propertyVEGAS.com
     
  9. double yellow

    double yellow Road Train Member

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    1 thing to keep in mind. If you move out of state you may not be eligible for in-state tuition costs. And if you don't live in your new state long enough, you may not qualify for in-state tuition there either. A poorly timed move might make tuition cost twice as much...
     
  10. proxima

    proxima Light Load Member

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    Mar 19, 2011
    Orlando, FL
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    I am aware of the out of state. That is one of the reasons I want to take a break for at least a year or two so I will be eligible for the in-state tuition.


    Chinatown, thanks for the link, I will take a look at it. I love the area, and I am there at least twice a year.
     
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