Starting life again from the bottom

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by BruceStarkweather, Dec 7, 2017.

  1. BruceStarkweather

    BruceStarkweather Bobtail Member

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    Let me start by saying sorry if any of this sounds stupid.

    Looking to start a new career and OTR has always been interest of mine.
    47 years old living in Ct.
    Soon to be divorced and starting over pretty much with nothing.
    Wanted opinions on companies that will train you and put you to work after school.
    Mostly clean MVR except petty stuff ( no seatbelt,etc)
    Don't use drugs,rarely drink.
    I've looked at PRIME,SWIFT(being told it means SureWishedIFinishedTraining) doesn't seem like my cup of tea lol.
    Some seem good,others not so.And of course those recruiters will say just about anything.
    I know starting out I can expect ####ty pay,poor home time per say,for the 1st 6 months at least.
    I've even have a passport so Canada,Mexico wouldn't be an issue for me.
    I just don't want to waste time on bad schools,training.
    It's a lot of responsability driving trucks and don't want to be poorly trained.

    Any input and/advice would be appreciated
    Thanx
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Contract Freighters (www.cfidrive.com) probably be satisfactory for you. It's a coast to coast dry van company with their own cdl school. They pay for transportation to get to the school in Missouri plus provide meals and lodging.
     
  4. BruceStarkweather

    BruceStarkweather Bobtail Member

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    Thanks
    I seen that company mention in another post.
    Hadn't loooked that them.
    But will investigate a bit more.

    I just need a few things
    1.quailty training
    2.decent trucks since I'm planning on living in the truck for 1st 6 months.
    3. Decent beginner pay(better money comes with the exp.

    Thanx again Chinatown
     
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  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    You'll get quality training at CFI; they're known for that.
    [​IMG]
     
  6. BruceStarkweather

    BruceStarkweather Bobtail Member

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    That's the most important factor for me.
    I know over time I will get better pay.

    Last thing I want is to be put on the road with poor training.
    Rigs and cause a lot of damage and carnage.

    Thanx Chinatown
     
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  7. Nukem

    Nukem Road Train Member

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    Swift? See What I F...ed up Today!!

    CFI. A decent company from what I gather from driver who work there. (Mostly day cab guys) I was told they will start you out on OTR, then after an amount of time, let you move around. What that time is and move to what I don't know... but a lot of folks like driving for them, so it can't seem that bad. :)
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2017
  8. BruceStarkweather

    BruceStarkweather Bobtail Member

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    thanks for the laugh
    Nukem

    Iv heard a number of diferent acronyms regarding SWIFT
    yea i looked at em cause of the driver training.

    company paid training is the route i need to go for driving
    casue i will be starting my life completely over again
    so paying for it out of pocket i cant do
     
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  9. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    You might want to consider that newbies does not usually get "Decent" trucks as in newer equipment.

    With that said, most anything newer than say 2010 cannot be that bad as long it's clean inside. You might have to clean it well. Truckers are not the cleanest bunch unfortunately.

    You are making the actual doing as far as driving a semi truck far excessively professional. A monkey can do it. It's being safe, compliant with the hours of service, and a thousand other issues that come up with day to day driving a semi.

    The first year or two is the most dangerous. If you are under a contract to repay your training and for some reason you quit or get fired all of that money will now be due and payable now. So, it's better for you to put aside that money and then go buy the training on your own dime. It might take a year or two however much or little you make.

    Training does not stop when you are handed a CDL. You will in time understand how little training prepares you for the rest of your journey into trucking. This is a very big country and all things are possible.
     
  10. BruceStarkweather

    BruceStarkweather Bobtail Member

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    x1Heavy
    thank you for your post
    I understand the "hard" part per say is how one deals with the like you said the everyday things in life while driving can pop up.
    For me to "save up" would take so long
    And i dont personally have an issue with sigining a contract for x amount of time in exchange for training

    Like i had said in my OP i will be starting over in my life.
    Pretty much with just the cloths on my back so to speak.

    Way to much to get into on the boards here lol

    But again ty for taking the time to reply
     
    Steel Dragon Thanks this.
  11. freightwipper

    freightwipper Road Train Member

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    The only safe place when Swift is around is a Dock, everyone knows swift can hit anything but a dock.
     
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