Wannabee needs some help

If its in your blood go for it. If there was a way to show you some tips I would. I was a able to get some training from a close friend thats a independent contractor. I learned a lot. Dont be nervous, take your time. If your in a rush with the truck, you will mess up in anything.

 

No offense to you, but I don't understand people anymore. I don't want to pay for school, I don't want a contract so I will go to the government and ask for a handout. What happened to pride? Work ethic?

Heres the thing OP, if you find a good starter company the starting pay is the same as a company you can go to with a CDL. Your first year you really need to tough it out and stick with 1 company if at all possible. Job hoppers are frowned upon by descent companies.

There are companies that have no payroll deduction for their school. None. Never a penny as long as you finish the contract.

Pick a good company, get some training and get to work. Better than asking for a handout any day.

 

Or why you dont go to Prime. They train drivers on the road for 3-4 weeks with just your permit to help you prepare for your CDL. And as long as you stay with them for a year, you wont pay nothing

 

The insurance companies will cover you if you have only a permit, I did it. I say go for it, its not that hard to pass the driving test & the pre-trip insp. I just studied the book. I failed the brake test the 1st time, but my 2nd test was a success. I cheated though, my truck is an manual/automatic, so much easier to drive, although I'm restricted now to autos only. I'd take you on myself, but I'd have to charge you. I got my CDL in perhaps an usual way. My neighbor & I are going to team drive, we pick up our 1st load in about 8 hour. He already had his CDL, so when I got our equipment, I went out with him a few times to practice. Sounds like you're trying to do what I did, only you're skipping a few of the steps I took. I didn't want to get on with a company to learn, nor did I want to go to a truck driving school. I have my own authority now, & we're ready to go after just a few months after I started studying for my written test. Although I just studied the book for about a week & passed the test. But the real lessons we're about to learn now. I'm a few years older than you are, so we're very similar. Good luck, I hope you can find someone to take you out.

 

That's a good idea to go with Prime, that sounds like a good deal.

 

Hi Robert, I too was the old TV guy,,,still have a bench and tube caddys in the basement. I left the business for the same reason. My wife and I were working in a call center,,I loved my job as a product specialist for Sears.com webcenter. Got to play with all the tools,compressors,welders,chainsaws etc. but,,,my cube mate was a smart ### kid,,,,I was going to quit or get fired before his beating. My wife decides she is burned out and announced she is quilting and going to driving school. It's 8 weeks all day in Iowa winter, but she does it and is driving around loving it,,,convinces me to come out too. After training, we try to team,,3 weeks into she hauls me back to the terminal,throws my crap out says get your own truck and learn how to read signs,get your own self un lost, deal with breakdown etc...best advice ever. Eventually we team and loved it snd the money doing dedicated long hauls.but,,,

I understand you want to fast track,,,but the permit is just that,,consider it a permit to learn,,not drive. You think schools are just a couple weeks of videos ? Some maybe,,but you can learn tons of info needed to do your job efficiently. I hope most drivers would agree that driving uncle johns tractor trailer load of corn from the farm to the elevator doesn't make you a good driver. Most anyone can get a truck rolling,,a better person will be able to get it stopped in the correct spot. The days of just getting behind the wheel and figuring it on your own are over,,I hope. Please consider going to a proper school for all the training you can get. In the end you will appreciate it.

no disrespect to drivers who did learn from grandpas old cab-over twin stick.but grandpa didn't have to worry about all the regs and rules that exist today.

remember,,you are free to make your choices,,,but you aren't free of the consequences,,,good luck.

 

Robert you all ready qualify the WIA grant you only need to apply for it " Your a dislocated worker "

"Over 30 years of electronic service, working as a tv repairman and in industry. We are dinosaurs thanks to the throw away society. it seems no one will repair anything anymore."

 

Not to take a cheap shot, but it seems like even the Prime deal will take too long for the op and training pay is below his standards. I don't think he read the post that said he won't likely get hired without school.

You need school bubba. If it takes too long, trucking probably isn't for you...you need patience in this biz.

 

What handout is he asking for, exactly? Is he not a US citizen? Does he not pay taxes? If he does, he's already paid for this "handout." These programs are in place to strengthen our workforce and improve our economy and he is just as welcome to receive aid as any other US citizen.