Military Experience - Does It Matter?

Yes, the first year will be lower because of orientation, training with the company in-house specific areas and probably a road trainer for awhile. After all that, no reason for low pay.

Yes, I'm a big time optimist in the trucking industry.

I hauled acid and other hazmat chemicals 48 states; all weather/all terrain and that's challenging I suppose. Maybe heavy haul, if you're interested in that. I did flatbed too, and really liked it, but preferred the money in hazmat/tankers.

 

I am a vet... I used to be a vehicle operator with the USAF. Our Army counterpart was 88M. We ran convoys with the army in Iraq... I can tell you right now that if you know what you are doing behind the wheel, you CAN get a very decent local LTL job that pays $55K or more right off the start. I got out in 2012 and got signed on right away with a local carrier. Don't let anyone on here tell you otherwise!!!

BTW, I know what you mean with running the hadjis off the road with a 915. Sometimes you just have to push your way through traffic.

 

This will be the one and only time where I will split from Chinatown based on professional opinion. If you sign on with a training company, he is right.... your pay will be less. In my case, I was signed on as an "experienced operator" due to my prior service. I received the same pay as all other new hires. But you really have to know what you are doing. This includes knowing how to drive a 10-speed and being really good at backing at a minimum. My training consisted of a one-night check ride with an experienced company driver.

I guess, my point is to not sign on with a training company to begin with.

 

I know what you mean about being away from your family for months on end. I totally respect that. LTL is the way to go. Before I got out, I got my CDL, then I spent hours on end practicing my backing and driving when I was off duty. It helps. If you are in the right area at the right time, you CAN get on board with an LTL carrier that will get you home every night.... and really good pay/benefits that will help you. My terminal manager is really good about hiring on vets. We have about 5 that I know of that were combat vets from Iraq... prolly half a dozen more from previous wars. Thanks for your service!

 

I didn't mean a training company. For example, with a tanker company, after CDL school, then orientation, then tanker school which usually is a week or two, then in my case about a month with a trainer on the road. I've never done LTL, but I understand there's excellent money to be made with LTL plus good hometime. R&L Carriers has something in San Diego and probably some other LTL I haven't heard about.

 

RR is spot on. LTL carriers loves persons getting crap done right the first time.

 

I only point the training company issue because almost ALL mega carriers that run their training mills gladly accept vets. Not sure if it is because of government tax credits to hire us on or because they think we are a loyal and valuable asset when they start us off at 29 CPM with one day of hometime "earned" after every six days on the road. Bah... what a joke. I prefer my 46 CPM with DAILY hometime and two days off earned after 5 days out. No idea why people get suckered into running weeks on end for $30K a year. If you wanna be home everyday and still earn a awesome paycheck, all you have to do is apply with a local carrier. Send your hatemail and tell me I am wrong.

And I am not trying to sound like a snob. I know many of you guys prefer to criss-cross the country to be away from the monotony that plagues the LTL side.

I am getting off my soapbox

 

Those folks can criss cross the country and see the nation out of a window all they want.
Intoxicated flying self will see the nation from Aeriel / taxi / walking while on vacation.


- Snob

 

Have you been drinking?