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Want to say Thanks and a question??

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Chris3131, Jan 28, 2011.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jan 28, 2011 #1
    Chris3131

    Chris3131 Bobtail Member

    29
    5
    Jan 27, 2011
    Covington, La
    0
    I keep digging and digging and keep finding so much info here.

    My name is Chris, I'm 31 years old single no kids just have a dog, currently am a unemployed welder thinking dam hard about getting my cdl and driving trucks for a living but gosh reading all the info here really makes me wonder what I'm getting into. I love welding but looks like there is more cdl driving jobs then there is welding at the moment.

    I guess my biggest concern now is do I pay for myself to go to the schooling or try and get on with like swift or one of the others that train people what advice can you give me about this?? Found a Community college close by that says it cost $1500 for the 8 week course 240 hours while the other 4 week course 160 hours was like $5000

    I want to go ahead and say a big THANKS to everyone here who has shared the experiences and posted them on this forum. I've seen a lot of forums but nothing like this one with so many experienced people willing to share what they have learned.

    Chris
     
    Chris3131, Jan 28, 2011
    Chris3131, Jan 28, 2011
    #1
    panhandlepat and Everett Thank this.
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  3. Jan 28, 2011 #2
    DeafTrucker

    DeafTrucker Bobtail Member

    32
    4
    Jan 28, 2011
    Lincoln, NE
    0
    im doing 3 months course starting july, will cost me around 1k. i recomended to go with 1500 to get more experience and understanding than a quick short for more $$. i think that just plain stupid. but unfortinatly i might be wrong about this. i always go for more expeirience and save money :) sorry for my bad english skill lol
     
    DeafTrucker, Jan 28, 2011
    DeafTrucker, Jan 28, 2011
    #2
  4. Jan 28, 2011 #3
    panhandlepat

    panhandlepat Road Train Member

    3,255
    2,244
    Jan 12, 2007
    0
    i would say it depends mostly on how LONG you can afford to be without a paycheck. i went the company route with a 1 year contract to get free training. (USA) 4 years, 3 (including this one) companies and a 1.5 year return to HVAC, i am back on the road with a small O/O company that i know will treat me right. BUT, thats MY story..I cant say what experience you will have in general. poke around this forum and ask lots of queastions and you might get your answer. good luck
     
    panhandlepat, Jan 28, 2011
    panhandlepat, Jan 28, 2011
    #3
  5. Jan 28, 2011 #4
    fallinangel

    fallinangel Medium Load Member

    398
    96
    Dec 30, 2010
    Branford Florida
    0
    Im an old timer and never went to a school but there are companies that have there own schools and it cost you nothing you get paid and as far as welding they are in high demand in louisiana of shore pays great stay out 2 weeks 3500
     
    fallinangel, Jan 28, 2011
    fallinangel, Jan 28, 2011
    #4
  7. Jan 28, 2011 #5
    Chris3131

    Chris3131 Bobtail Member

    29
    5
    Jan 27, 2011
    Covington, La
    0
    People always say go offshore and well I'd love to but so many want offshore experience and I have none. It's a real pain in the rear. I keep looking everyday but not much good and wondering as I keep reading this forum if I should try and just stick with welding. Boy what a crappy economy we are in.
     
    Chris3131, Jan 28, 2011
    Chris3131, Jan 28, 2011
    #5
  8. Jan 28, 2011 #6
    fallinangel

    fallinangel Medium Load Member

    398
    96
    Dec 30, 2010
    Branford Florida
    0
    Dont get me wrong off shore is well paying for welder and doesent matter that you havent got the experiance as it is the same as onshore tho and all you need is to get you a journymans card to go off shore but as far as truckin now i can tell you about that more I been at it along time and it has been good to me as I sent my 2 kids thru college paid for my home and horses and had 6 trucks and just sold them to go company again so someone else can pay the bills you cant go wrong with either choice
     
    fallinangel, Jan 28, 2011
    fallinangel, Jan 28, 2011
    #6
  9. Jan 28, 2011 #7
    o.m.d.

    o.m.d. Heavy Load Member

    827
    2,130
    Aug 15, 2010
    massachusetts
    0
    you should go weld in alask ai heard you make lots of money welding on the pipeline
     
    o.m.d., Jan 28, 2011
    o.m.d., Jan 28, 2011
    #7
  10. Jan 28, 2011 #8
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

    10,555
    5,747
    Oct 22, 2010
    32179
    0
    if you never welded on that pipeline, you have no idea........

    that was 40 years ago, even us electricians were welding !!!!
     
    123456, Jan 28, 2011
    123456, Jan 28, 2011
    #8
  11. Jan 28, 2011 #9
    fulgrwnmn

    fulgrwnmn Light Load Member

    276
    54
    Sep 17, 2008
    whitehouse,oh
    0
    truth is...........you won't learn all that much at cdl schools, yes you'll get the basics and some lingo, you'll learn a lil more from your trainer if your lucky enough to get a good one, most you will learn will be the hard way, called experience.
     
    fulgrwnmn, Jan 28, 2011
    fulgrwnmn, Jan 28, 2011
    #9
    Lady K and karnevil Thank this.
  12. Jan 28, 2011 #10
    DeafTrucker

    DeafTrucker Bobtail Member

    32
    4
    Jan 28, 2011
    Lincoln, NE
    0
    interesting answers. i guess i might endup learing hard way, who knows. btw i think you should keep searching for welding jobs. i know there one in kearney, neb looking for welder :)
     
    DeafTrucker, Jan 28, 2011
    DeafTrucker, Jan 28, 2011
    #10
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