Have to start somewhere

Way to go, Daytona! Your thread was outstanding. It has really helped me in making the decision to go after my dream. I've been trapped in a desk job for years, but am now going to start in driving school in late October. I'll be watching for your future posts.

 

hi everybody. Daytona, really good job on all the postings and congratulations, everything has been very informative. i am on the waiting list they said 3 weeks it has been now a little more than 2 so almost there.
but i've been asking around here if the training is done in a standard truck or an autoshift? so far no one seems to give me an answer, well i guess i'll have to wait until i find out by myself.

 

WTG Daytona!!!!! Gratz Man you deserve it! Hopefully Ill see you on the road soon. We got our travel orders today. We fly to Tacoma on Sun and start Orientation on Monday!

 

What's up daytona. I realy enjoyed reading your post and aplaud the way you coverd day by day and week by week on everything. That is dedication and a great heart out to all newb's like you and I and we need more like you. I went to Road Master myself here in columbus OH. And enjoyed it and did the same things you did. I was Mr. 1000questions and spent as much time in the tractors as they would alow me to practice. Being in the rigs are a treat and expeiriance all in itself. Congrats and i'm sure i speak for everyone here loved the posting and updates.

Sugestion: why don't you post a picture of you and your new rig? That would top off what i consider a success story post

 

Hello,
This is my first post. I'm glad I found this place! What a great resource!

I too, like many here, are considering a change. My work in the mortgage business is falling thru the floor, I'm on the other side of divorce, kids gone, and I'm in my mid 50's.

I am considering trucking, Mexicans or not, because it seems to make good sence to develope a good job skill that defies age discrimination!

I am still looking for the best way to enter via schooling, licensing, and getting that all important first couple years behind me.

Thanks to every one!

 

Welcome.. this is a great place and all the truckers here are very supportive of us newbs.

There are a lot of threads here about which way to go. I was a real estate appraiser before the market went haywire LOL... glad I got out when I did and took that Parts Managers job for a small landclearing company. It got me around trucks all the time and caused my wife and I to consider this career change.

I encourage you to read some of the different threads here as there are a lot of different opinions on the best way to do it.

IMHO...
Best Choice:
If you can afford to put yourself through school, the community college programs typically have the best reputations and programs especially if they are PTDI Certified Schools. IF you can afford it, putting yourself through school saves you being under contract to a company for a period of time and leaves your choice of employers the broadest it can be.

Next choice: You could go to one of the private schools like TDI, Road Masters, etc. but they are more expensive, shorter programs and I don't think they give you as much training as nothing replaces seat time. Note some companies will not hire students from private schools but most of the big ones do.

Third choice: If you cannot afford to pay for your own school, there are companies that will help you pay for school like Interstate Distributors and others like Schneider that have their own schools. The only draw back to doing it this way (which I had to do) is loss of pay while your in school and having to sign a contract for employment (usually 12-18 months) to pay back the company. Most of the old timers on this board suggest you do not do it this way, but finances are sometimes the deciding factor.

Make sure you do your research both on the schools you consider and the companies you consider doing business with. Read threads like this one and the one I did on Mesaland... see what the different schools are like... see what driver's say about the companies your are considering and see based on all your research which choice and companies fit your situation and needs the best.

 

Way to go Daytona! I'm 56 and looking at this industry eyes wide open.

I have my phone interview with Schnieder on Thursday, October 11.

I have hear good, bad and ugly here at this very forum.

I am also looking at a local driving school that is within driving distance of where I live and a placement with Maverick...

Haven't read much about them -- yet!

 

What you have done in this thread is just what someone like me, a driving prospect, needs. You did a Great job. I wish you good luck.
I am 56 and in good health. I am currently in Real Estate. That is not really too bad right now, but I love being on the road. I drove to Atlanta and back recently, to the Petit LeMans race, and remembered how much I like it on the road. So I am thinking about going to driver's school, etc. I can afford to pay my own way. There is a Sage school near me that I believe will be OK. I have emailed them, but not heard back yet.
These newbie posts are great. I enjoy being a newbie anyway. It is more exciting than being a bored oldie!

 

Great stuff. It seems like there's enough of us (guys in their 50's looking to start a whole new career) to start a whole section on this forum. These first hand accounts really help to make an informed decision. Thanks for taking the time to post. Keep it up!