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for Community direction on my start in Marina California

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by JBunnell, Sep 1, 2014.

  1. Sep 1, 2014 #1
    JBunnell

    JBunnell Bobtail Member

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    Sep 1, 2014
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    Hey Y'all. I need to jump my pay per month from 1200 a month to 3000 asap.. last year when trying to get out of a mechanics job I was online job boards and saw that C.R. England were paying for CDL training but would require 1yr or so in team driving commitment.Since talking to them i decided to pass I wasnt completely desperate for money at the time because my wife was working but she isnt now. I have to take care of the bills and around marina(93933,Ca) there isnt a lot of opportunities that are readily available. I see trucking and agg is big out here but while I thought I could just get a second job aside from my Home Depot job to make up the difference.. It donned on me that instead of working two jobs never sleeping and seeing my wife I should take a plunge into trucking and have one job that will hopefully take care of our needs. Finding a second job is not proving successful so i got my cdl book from the Ca. DMV and have studied and tested general knowledge on your forum/site. I would really be greatfull for any and all advice from you veterans in Cali. I Dont have a lil to no money in the bank what are my options for getting into the biz here without completely getting taken advantage of? The DMV site says 70 bucks for the written test.. Is that All i would need to get picked up and possibly trained by a good shipping company out here or is there more expenses I would have to pull on my own before seeing that hope?
    I am not lazy and dont want to jump into things blindly hoping to magically fix my situation. If you are able, and willing what steps and priorities should I have in this endeavor?
     
    JBunnell, Sep 1, 2014
    JBunnell, Sep 1, 2014
    #1
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  3. Sep 1, 2014 #2
    Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

    3,937
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    May 10, 2012
    Temple, TX
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    Well whatever you do, don't go to CR England.
    There are few good companies.
    Lots of bad ones.

    Then there's CR England.
     
    Balakov100, Sep 1, 2014
    Balakov100, Sep 1, 2014
    #2
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  4. Sep 1, 2014 #3
    JBunnell

    JBunnell Bobtail Member

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    Sep 1, 2014
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    Thanks for that. Looks like you and i are about the same age. What do you love about trucking? what company do you drive for? what kinda cmv do you drive? What was scary or hard for you about the job?
     
    JBunnell, Sep 1, 2014
    JBunnell, Sep 1, 2014
    #3
  5. Sep 1, 2014 #4
    teqntexas

    teqntexas Medium Load Member

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    Jan 25, 2012
    Ft. Worth Tx.
    0
    dunno where to go with this, so it'll probably be random. appologies for that upfront.

    first, you may get some feedback on other threads for being desperate and going into trucking as a last resort. get some thick skin and get over it. that thick skin btw, will come in handy later on if you do decide to go this route.

    you said that instead of getting 2 jobs and never seeing your family... you realize that with a lot of mega carriers, you won't see your family much at all. esp if you go to a mega carrier academy/school. i went through ffe's in lancaster texas, and with the school, otr with trainer i was gone about 6 weeks before i made it home. then on my own, it was 3 weeks out 3 days home. so by going out on the road, your not changing the "Not seeing my family" dynamic at all.

    as for other expenses, i'ts going to depend on where ya land at to finish your training, and just how much you need to live on . $400 a week may sound like a lot while training, and it may cover YOUR expenses, but don't plan on having much left over to send home to the wife and kiddos.

    what ever you do and where ever you go, i can not stress enough. DO NOT LEASE A TRUCK NO MATTER HOW WONDERFUL IT SOUNDS. and two DO NOT GO WITH CR ENGLAND. the second one just search the forums and you will see why. my favorite was when they told a driver they would have his cdl taken away from him if he left. never mind that it is a state issued document. that and when i saw a trainer stop for fuel in laredo texas and he had FOUR, yes FOUR trainees in his truck.

    your going to get a ton of advice on going through a company sponsored training vs getting your cdl on your own. everyone's situation is different and i'm not even going there, again use the search function.

    can you make a living out here? yes you can. but it ain't all wine and roses. you and your family are going to have to be ready to make some SERIOUS lifestyle changes.

    Best of luck to ya, search the forums and if you can't find it then post the question. there is a TON of help here.

    teq.
     
    teqntexas, Sep 1, 2014
    teqntexas, Sep 1, 2014
    #4
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  7. Sep 2, 2014 #5
    kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Jan 13, 2013
    SW Arkansas
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    I read and hear a lot about peaple getting their CDL's though a company traing program. Then you have to agree to stay on for a set amount of time for your training to be free. Nothing wrong with this but do you homework. Check this forum. Go to a truck stop a get some of the free mags advertising for drivers. Call several of these and see what you think. Then, go to truck stops and talk to some drivers about their expeniences. Another way to get started would be to find out if there is a local school sponsered by a community college or vocational school. This way you get to pick the company that you think fits your needs best. Good luck to you.
     
    kemosabi49, Sep 2, 2014
    kemosabi49, Sep 2, 2014
    #5
  8. Sep 6, 2014 #6
    JBunnell

    JBunnell Bobtail Member

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    Sep 1, 2014
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    Thanks very much for your time and honest feedback Teq.
     
    JBunnell, Sep 6, 2014
    JBunnell, Sep 6, 2014
    #6
  9. Sep 6, 2014 #7
    JBunnell

    JBunnell Bobtail Member

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    Sep 1, 2014
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    Truly appreciate the info Kemosabi.. Getting other peoples input really has been helpful in getting outta of the tunnel vision mindset and broadening my approach to gaining further knowledge.
     
    JBunnell, Sep 6, 2014
    JBunnell, Sep 6, 2014
    #7
  10. Sep 11, 2014 #8
    kctrucking

    kctrucking Bobtail Member

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    Jul 14, 2014
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    Contact your unemployment office tell them what you are trying to do and they can connect you with a california sponserd training program federal funds free to you and go to a driving school most good ones have day and nite classes may as well use some of your tax dollars you paid them you can also go to the driving schools and they will tell you what grants are available - free school
     
    kctrucking, Sep 11, 2014
    kctrucking, Sep 11, 2014
    #8
    Chinatown Thanks this.
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