Should I get my CDL B first?

There is a thread here some where with a group of Class B drivers unable to locate a job. So I would push on and get a Class A, even if I had to sell stuff or get a loan. Having a Class A just opens more doors. My job is mostly a Class B gig but everyone here has a class A.

 

You will greatly limit your employment options if you only get the class B. I would do as others have suggested and find a way to get the class A. It will give you more options. I prefer the idea of individuals paying for their own school, rather than going to one of the training companies, but it is a way to get started. As long as you stay with the carrier for the term of the contract, you will have no debt obligation. Most require a work agreement of 1 year after training. I believe that CRST only requires 6 months commitment. They will pay you while you learn your new profession. Just make your mind up to stay at least long enough to fulfill your contract with them.

 

I started my commercial career with a chauffers', driving wrecker. Graduated to a Class B, still driving wrecker but bigger, more GVW, with air brakes. Now then, when I was ready to make the leap to Class A, NONE of the miles (@500,000) were recognized as experience. Had to go to CDL school for the required hours and start all over again. Get the "A" and it can be used for anyhting you want to drive.

 

It would be interesting to see how many drivers make it through that year . You can have an accident , injury , or any other number of incidents that will prevent you from completing the year .

 

I bet there are more Class A drivers that can't get a job - and keep it .

 

So would you rather pay $2200 or $3400 for your class A?

Driving a straight truck isnt all that similar to driving a semi. Dont waste youre money. Wait until you have money for the class A, or see about getting a loan.

 

You do have a point here, Rick. But realistically that is true of just about any job that is worth having. Do you let the possibility of having a problem deter you from going ahead with the career you want to go with though? I don't think so.

 

How is what I said was wrong? A Class A can get a Class B job where as a Class B can't get a Class A job. So thus a Class A has more options. As for securing a Class A job, it's all realitive. In my area securing and keeping a Class A job isn't an issue. But in other areas it's probably the opposite.

 

I'm missing your point here . What is true of just about any job that is worth having ? Certainly not getting a bill for $3,000 because a year employment obligation wasn't met . Can you tell me any other industry that does that ? Can you tell me of a company in any other industry that blackballs a worker when they terminate him like trucking companies do when they file a negative DAC report ?

 

My point is simple, Rick. I even quoted what I was talking about, but I will repeat it. Your statement,

It could be said of a whole lot of different jobs that it would be interesting to see how many people make it through their first year. Since there are a lot of jobs, where the first year is considered a "trial period" or a "probation period," it is a time when an employee looks at the job to see if he really wants to stay with it, and the employer looks at the employee to see if he is a good fit or not.

I'm not intending to get a pissing contest going with you here, I was just pointing this out. Trucking is NOT the only industry that has a very high rate of "not making it," in the first year or so.