Questions from Los Angeles Wannabe!!!

First off how old are you?

Second, read through these forums carefully and take heed to what the old hands tell you. They've been there.

Best bet..tech school or independent driving school to get your cdl then apply to those companies you want to.

Petey

 

I'll try to answer some of your questions. First off you are old enough to be hired by the megacarriers. The best place to start is to go with a megacarrier. Most of them have company sponsored training. Yeah I know I'm gonna get slammed for that. You'll have to check on the financial aid for trucking school. If not expect to pay between $3 to 5k for trucking school. Most megacarriers will reimburse you for school if you stay with them for a year. Most local and smaller trucking companies will not hire a driver unless they have at least a year of behind the wheel experince. As far as which school is good or bad I could'nt tell you. The best advice I can give you on entering the trucking industry is be very sure its what you want to do. The reason being you'll be working and sleeping at weird hours, being away from home for weeks at a time, and being alone most of this time. Most of the megacarriers have yards in the Ontario/Fontana area and I suggest you go visit them. Ask if you could talk to some of drivers about working there.

 

Scuby hit most of that, True most of hate how the Megacarriers seem to use people as a mill for hiring people in and tend not to give a rats behind rather they succeed or not. Some trainers will actually teach you what you need to learn, most will use you for a log book to complete your 4-6 weeks on the road after you get your CDL before they will cut you loose as a solo. Again read the forums about the companies, ask questions, most will help you. As far as companies, I would suggest Interstate Distributor out of Tacoma, Washington. When ws woth them a few years ago, they seemed to take care of their drivers. i dont know how they are today, but that was my opinion of them then. And for gods sake dont get suckered into a lease purchase of a truck. Just starting out you will be broke fast.

 

Check your local community and technical colleges for truck driving programs. Then you can get a student loan that gives you 6 months after you graduate to start paying on. You'll get the best training that way and not be committed to anyone. Even some of the private truck driving schools have in house financing. I would avoid mega carrier training if you can help it. Commitments can trap you.

No matter what you do, the first year is tough financially. Don't let it fool you how the future will be. Once you get one year in, all kinds of doors open.

Don't be a sucker. Recruiters will lie and try to paint a pretty picture for you. This forum has alot of good info. There are bogus reports from ones that didn't make and there are legit complaints from others. Volume of complaints tells the story.

We can't answer everything in one post. Just read, participate and ask questions as you go along.

 

Try not to be in a hurry.
Read the threads of people who began the thread a year and kept them going and go from there.

 

If you really are going to be homeless hit up your local one stop career center im on unemployment Im starting my behind wheel in an hour at a teamster trucking school ... I wouldnt sign on to a mega you can get your permit now im in LA too $69 bucks go to your local dmv get the handbook study section by section take your permit tests and start hitting up the one stops. Alot of paperwork and you have to "work" for it but beats signing one of those contracts imo. Bakken isnt the only place marcellus shale ,Texas, colorado looks like it might be opening up soon,okc soon as I get my tax return after I pass my cdl test get my hard license im outta here. Good Luck

 

Lol you're in San Pedro? One stops in your back yard have funding for cdl if you can qualify RIGHT NOW... I know this for a fact I was there last week Lbc and sp but found a quicker green light with another center.