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Wannabe Skip School?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by nsmoke, Nov 9, 2009.

  1. Nov 9, 2009 #1
    nsmoke

    nsmoke Bobtail Member

    16
    4
    Nov 9, 2009
    Southern Illinois
    0
    So I'm a newbie here, but I've been reading threads nonstop for what seems like two weeks straight. I am recently unemployed and really need a decent income. My stepfather has been a driver for coming up on 20 years now, and a year ago he found a job hauling coal within 2 hours of home. Well he went in and spoke to his boss about taking on another trainee(me) and his boss agreed.

    I would be starting as a trainee with 0 formal training and only a learners permit under my belt. Do you think this is a beneficial way to enter the field, or is school as absolute must? What advice would you give to me if I choose to take this route (which seems like my only route right now)

    Thanks for any advice
     
    nsmoke, Nov 9, 2009
    nsmoke, Nov 9, 2009
    #1
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  3. Nov 9, 2009 #2
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,749
    45,467
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
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    You will be stuck there for awhile for a driving job, but it is less risky for you financially than going to school and not finding a job after completion.

    If you would want to go to OTR, it would be easier to pick it up if you already knew cornering, shifting, backing, and anything else involved. Make sure you learn to do inspections.
     
    25(2)+2, Nov 9, 2009
    25(2)+2, Nov 9, 2009
    #2
  4. Nov 9, 2009 #3
    WanabeTrucker

    WanabeTrucker Light Load Member

    88
    5
    Nov 7, 2009
    Stratford, CT
    0
    I would do exactlly that. I had a friend who's family owns a business out of California all he had to do was pass his test and he would have had an easy way into the industry but he decided to keep his job at CVS. Now me I had to spend 4 grand to get my license (a little more then 4 grand but who's countin') and over 3 months of training. I am filling out applications now praying one will except me. I only got my license a week ago so we shall see. if you have an easy way into the industry I'd do it, and you will be home every night as well which alot of people would love to be able to do.

    Good luck with whatever your career choice may be. Oh and most importantly have fun and drive safe!

    -Joe
     
    WanabeTrucker, Nov 9, 2009
    WanabeTrucker, Nov 9, 2009
    #3
  5. Nov 9, 2009 #4
    GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

    6,257
    4,365
    Oct 23, 2005
    Vegas/Jersey
    0
    Don't pass it up. You've got a chance here that alot don't get. Not only do you learn from someone that has alot of experience but by the time (if ever) you want to go OTR all you'll have to do is take a small course if that. I worked for a major oil company and we didn't care if you went to school or not. If fact at one time we would not hire drivers from schools. We care about proven records and above all clean records. However, we were self-insured and that makes it much easier. Good luck and go for it.
     
    GasHauler, Nov 9, 2009
    GasHauler, Nov 9, 2009
    #4
  7. Nov 10, 2009 #5
    fisher guy

    fisher guy Road Train Member

    1,993
    1,060
    Mar 22, 2009
    Ocala Florida
    0
    keep that fricken job otherwise u'll end up in my boat i did the same thing a buddy of mine owned a truck and said hey u wanna learn how to drive a truck forget that $3000-5000 school now im regretting it cuz I have No OTR experience and no school under my belt not saying it will happen to u but it will sure make job hunting very ver frustrating
     
    fisher guy, Nov 10, 2009
    fisher guy, Nov 10, 2009
    #5
  8. Nov 17, 2009 #6
    nsmoke

    nsmoke Bobtail Member

    16
    4
    Nov 9, 2009
    Southern Illinois
    0
    I appreciate all the advice from you guys and i'm sure that i'm making the right decision now. I will be getting my permit first thing tommorow and will start actually driving on monday.

    I went in to talk with the boss man last monday and sat down with him for 45 minutes talking about everything I could think of, he seems like a good guy and he's always taken care of my family (aka the stepdad)

    I'm a little bit concerned about how well my training with go... I've been told my trainer is a bit of a hard ### and has no reservations about throwing a trainee out of his truck, but really I can't expect any less. All I know is I have to cut it because I cant afford a driving school and there's no way in hell im driving for werner... I'll take that cardboard box thanks.
     
    nsmoke, Nov 17, 2009
    nsmoke, Nov 17, 2009
    #6
  9. Nov 17, 2009 #7
    jons1powerwagon

    jons1powerwagon Light Load Member

    67
    19
    Jun 3, 2009
    DuQuion Illinois
    0
    nsmoke are you going to pull frameless dumps for carter coal, or someone else?
     
    jons1powerwagon, Nov 17, 2009
    jons1powerwagon, Nov 17, 2009
    #7
  10. Nov 17, 2009 #8
    nsmoke

    nsmoke Bobtail Member

    16
    4
    Nov 9, 2009
    Southern Illinois
    0
    god forbid =D

    I'll be pulling for toy trucking running the western indiana coal route along 64 and 50
     
    nsmoke, Nov 17, 2009
    nsmoke, Nov 17, 2009
    #8
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