New CDL class A with lots of questions

I don't know anything. I am just asking questions and learning. Why is logging rough?

 

From what i've "seen".... mountainous terrain, unpaved "roads," chaining tires and shifting loads. Undoubtedly one of the more challenging truck driving jobs i wouldn't want to do in the mountains. Same as tanker i guess, tanker in flat southern Wisconsin doesn't have hills let alone mountains.

 

They way I see it... no matter what, some aspects of the job suck. Either you have a nice easy drop and hook job 8-6 and get paid so, so or you can have a knuckle busting job dealing with elements, multiple stops, no real time off, etc ad infinitum and get paid better. I think it's about finding balance and the right place or job that suits me. If something isn't working out, it's ok. Put in my seat time and move on...
I've had "office" jobs at auto body shops that were like hell on earth and I stuck it out for years. Hopefully I end up with something I can deal with for at least a couple of years and then if there are better opportunities I'll move on if I want to try something else.

 

@Truckingdaytrader --

Here's an example of a good-paying gig (available as of this writing, anyway), that's not far from where you live; tanker and hazmat endorsements are required--BUT....you'll need 12 months' (or more) experience elsewhere--first. Also--it's a HOME DAILY gig:

The Kenan Advantage Group, Inc.
Healdsburg, CA 95448

$111,000 a year - Full-time

Full Job Description
Job Description:

Enjoy Your Home Life With KAG

A driving career shouldn't leave you choosing between being home or making great money. With KAG Merchant Gas, you will deliver oxygen to hospitals and gasses that help keep food fresh. Our communities rely on great Drivers like YOU.

Merchant Gas

The Benefits
Local routes available in select locations, call for more details.

• Avg. Annual Gross $111k
• Paid Hourly with OT after 40 hours
• Paid Weekly
• Home Daily Positions
• General commodities hauled: Nitrogen/Oxygen/Argon, Hydrogen & Methane
• Long Term Contracts with Every Major Customer in Industry
• Paid Vacation and Paid Holidays
• Insurance Including Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision, and Life
• 401K with Company Match
• Quarterly Safety & Performance Bonuses

Our Hiring Process

Short Form
Fill out our short form to express your interest in a job with KAG Merchant Gas.

Recruiter Contact
Our team of Recruiters are excited to find the best fit for you with KAG Merchant Gas.

Full Application
Submit a full application to be considered for the position.

Interview
Once your application is qualified, interview with our managers and learn more about KAG.

Job Offer
If it's a good fit for both you and us, an offer will be made. #DriveKAG


Job Requirements:

• Class A CDL
• Minimum 12 Months Recent and Verifiable Tractor/Trailer Experience
• Safe Driving Record

~~~~~
Once you get the hang of it--the above is clean, easy, fairly steady work....that's also pretty recession-resistant. After you acquire this above skill set--you'll ALWAYS be in good demand in the CDL (tanker) world. Cryo is here, to stay!!!

The above carrier is basically the "Swift" of the tanker world. Lots and lots and lots and lots of opportunities with them, nation-wide.

--Lual

 

Thank you! Right around the corner! I will probably use my school's help to get in someplace to start... don't care what as long as it's decent and then I'll transition to something else after a year or so.
I am digging the Union idea but we will see what's shaking when I am ready after paying my dues in seat time.

 

@Truckingdaytrader --

Some caveats for you to consider, in the Union/LTL world (and partly why the above info in post #124 was offered):

• Those LTL gigs pay well--but there are (of course) reasons why:

1. There's a good bit of monotony there . In many cases, it's the exact same run (linehaul)--night...after night...after night.
2. You really haven't lived.....until....you've hitched up a set of "doubles".....at night....in the cold....in the (heavy) rain....as a rookie....with no one else around (if you need help, &/or get hurt)....in a yard that isn't level. You may well then ask yourself: "What the #### am I doing here?".....
3. You may sit on the extraboard, for quite a while. Low pay there; "standby" mode; and/or poor sleep patterns.

• The job market there in the near-term future looks dicey. Lately, in other areas--LTL drivers are actually being laid off/furloughed. This same "disease" may spread to your neck of the woods. With a recession going on--who knows?

• I don't see any true union LTL terminals anywhere near where you now live (& thus--any commute would be a killer ).

--Lual

 

All good. Not sure if I could get into a Union right away anyways. I certainly don't want to work a dock in the meantime. I may move toward or into the city or San Jose at some point if it's worth it. But it may not be if I can get something good locally because my bills are super low where I am at right now.

 

@Truckingdaytrader --

Don't miss out on the "bigger picture" here......

The opportunity listed in post #124 above (or similar) will open A LOOOOOOTTT of doors for you, later.

All of them in that field will be lucrative, clean, easy work.....and fairly recession-resistant....either as a company driver, or (later on) as an owner-operator (something you said earlier that is of interest to you).

Also--note that the example listed in post #124 will employ you as a company driver--OR (later) as an owner-operator.

In many/most cases--the LTL world will not.

To prep for the opportunity in post #124--you need not necessarily get a tanker job, first. Notice that it says, "12 months experience"....not "12 months tanker experience". Having said that--if you did get a tanker job in front of that--you'd look that much better to them (or another similar carrier).

The cryo world has many, many uses/applications. The clientele base is almost endless. This base is also expanding with time--as the world figures out more and more ways to use cryo products--to further improve our std of living, & our quality of life.

This means much steadier work for you later on--even in a bad recession.

Think about it.......

--Lual

 

Honestly, cryogenic tankers is what interests me most... Unions seem alright but I know they have their BS and can be tricky to get into and then once you do you have to "pay your dues" to. I think it would be easier, short term, to get into cryo work and like you said, good money, easier work, etc.
BTW, Can you send me a link to post #124 you are referencing? I don't see anything about Cryo listed in it.

 

Keep in mind--this carrier won't/doesn't take rookies.

You'll need to get in at least a year elsewhere--first:

https://www.thekag.com/drivers/

--Lual