1. ginomusicman

    ginomusicman Bobtail Member

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    Apr 1, 2011
    Central PA
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    I am about ready to take the leap and begin a trucking career at the young age of 43. Long story short, it's what I've got to do. Anyway, I don't have the money to get my CDL so unfortunately I'm limited to companies that will assist in paying for the schooling, getting the license, etc. That shortens the list considerably.

    I am very near to starting with SYGMA. I've read some bad and some good about them on here and I've heard both sides from others I've spoken to as well.

    Bottom line question, am I going to regret this if I do it? Becoming a driver is something I've thought about a lot over the last 5 years or so and now I'm aware that it may be my only way to do all I need to do. What is the your opinion? What is their home time? What is their pay like? What are their benefits like? I know the recruiters are paid to say just about anything to get new bodies in the door so I take what they say with a grain of salt. I've been around enough to tell you I pretty much trust no one.

    Thanks for any info.
     
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  3. double_r

    double_r Heavy Load Member

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    Sep 6, 2008
    Pittsburgh,PA
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    If your looking to just drive a truck, then DON'T GO WITH SYGMA! They are a foodservice company. You will be unloading the trailer by hand, using a two wheel dolly. 60-70% of your job will be hand delivers, not driving.
     
  4. ginomusicman

    ginomusicman Bobtail Member

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    Apr 1, 2011
    Central PA
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    Double R, thank you for replying. I am aware they are food service, I have spoken with them one on one quite extensively and am basically at the point where I need to decide. The idea of doing all the hands on work does not bother me, I've been laboring pretty much my whole life. Currently I work at a warehouse case picking, been a mason laborer, worked at a brick yard, done landscaping, etc...you get the drift. I just want to know if it's a living hell or if it's just a tough job. Tough I can handle. Brutal I cannot.
     
  5. Emulsified

    Emulsified Road Train Member

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    May 6, 2010
    Dallas, TX
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    Ask Sygma if you can 'audit' the job. Ride with a driver for a day or two.
    Since you're looking at the local delivery position, they might do that for you.
     
  6. cj8

    cj8 Light Load Member

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    Sep 11, 2006
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    I worked for Sygma briefly a few years ago. I worked out of the Columbus Ohio terminal. We delivered to Wendys, Donatos, Tim Hortins and many others.

    Most out of town runs are team runs with a sleeper truck. You go out around 10 or 11pm, hump freight all night, and arrive back at the terminal the next day. Local runs and 1 man runs are in day cab trucks.

    If you can do the job well, the pay is very good and so are the benies. Some guys I worked with there made over 60k a year.

    Sygma is union (teamsters I think) so you start off on the extra board which means you get all the crap runs people call off from. Every 6 months they bid on routes so eventually you'll get your own route, which will probably be in the getto somewhere until you move up the ladder to get a better one.

    Understand that the work is very hard. I would consider it to be brutal. Throwing case after case of food all night in sometimes very cold weather. You will be put to the test physically. I'm not in the best shape in the world, but I'm no pig either and it kicked my tail like nothing I've ever done before. I heard really in shape people say that the job was tough on them.

    Good luck, hope that helps.
     
  7. cj8

    cj8 Light Load Member

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    Sep 11, 2006
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    One other thing I wanted to mention is if you don't have the money for CDL school you should look into getting a grant. There are several grants out there that will pay for your schooling if you qualify.
     
  8. GTR SILVER

    GTR SILVER Light Load Member

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    Mar 20, 2009
    jersey city,nj
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    what i did to pay for schooling was to put it on a credit card.....i paid it all off in a year or so....this way i did not owe any trcking co. and it gave me the freedom to pick and choose.....:biggrin_25525:
    just my 2cents:yes2557:
    peace.....

    www.franksilver.com
     
  9. GTR SILVER

    GTR SILVER Light Load Member

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    Mar 20, 2009
    jersey city,nj
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  10. double_r

    double_r Heavy Load Member

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    Sep 6, 2008
    Pittsburgh,PA
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    According to some, foodservice is a living hell but seeing your past experience, then you should be fine with the job. All I know about Sygma Harrisburg is what the drivers have told me and I have yet to run into a driver that did not like working there.
     
  11. ginomusicman

    ginomusicman Bobtail Member

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    Apr 1, 2011
    Central PA
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    Thank you for the responses. It really helps to hear from some people with experience and knowledge... GTR Silver, if I could put it on a credit card I might. I haven't used one for over 3 years at least. They were one of the reasons-as well as divorce and losing a good job-that I'm in the predicament I'm currently in. A man backed into a corner, with responsibilities, drinking and doing stupid things, coupled with a lack of money, low income, and credit cards is a recipe for disaster. Well the responsibilities are still there but the drinking and stupidity are long gone. Now I'm trying to rebuild my financial nightmare. A driving job could do it. Frankly if I could find something where I just drove I would prefer it at this point but I'm not afraid to do physical work if neccessary... Where does one find a grant? I looked and found nothing just blank promises. I would do that if I could find out how. I'd even do a loan that I had to pay back, kind of like a student loan, if I could.
     
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