Starting Celadon/Quality on Monday WOOHOO

That locomotive fueler sounds good.
Keep in mind, for many veterans it's very hard to settle down to a routine civilian job. The same old routine can make everything seem so trivial and meaningless; listening to the same old jokes and the same old "management is out to destroy us" and "so-and-so can't be trusted because he kisses up to the supervisors."
At least in a truck you can get out on the road for some quiet and solitude and reflection.

Other than the locomotive fueler, attend an approved CDL school then go with a company that has a veterans program of some sort if you want to receive the rest of your money out of the program. If you don't mind being away from home,look at some tanker companies for OTR, then when you're ready to settle down you'll have tanker training for those local fuel/chemical jobs and home every day.

 

Here's some companies that hire new CDL grads and you can make some good money like in the $60K's. If you like any of them give a call and ask which schools they recognize and hire from.

Superior-Carriers
Groendyke Transport
Tidewater Transit
Schneider Bulk
Trimac Transportation
CTL Transportation
SVTN

I'm also a vet and understand the transition.

 

I don't know how to search for the veterans programs; may be on the trucking company websites in brief form. Do know that Schneider Bulk pays something like $1100.00 extra a month to the driver on top of his regular pay. This $1100.00 is deducted from your veterans education benefits.

 

I can tell you from my personal experience, I had to learn the hard way. Stick it out with one company for 1-2 years if possible , minimum 1yr it shows commitment and if you maintain a good track record with your DAK Report/CSA 2010. You can write your own meal ticket in this business. But if you start hoping from company to company because your friends tell you that you can make a few cents more per mile or they have nicer trucks, it's a poor reflection on you as the driver and some companies frown against jumping from company to company.. Some advice I can give you is learn how to budget your money, stay out of the casinos,bars and eating out all the time, a cooler/fridge can save you lots of $ on the road. Be prepared to make chicklets as you start , budgeting will be key, I know guys that started at .25/mile and were ready to quit because they thought they could make just the same amount of money working @ costco for $20/hr. Budget budget budget... you'll see

I jumped through 3 companies in the 1st 2 years of going Class A CDL OTR driving and it was hard to get on w/ a good company. Put your time in with one company, get your experience , keep your nose clean and be prepared to be tested, frustrated and deal with a lot of crap during your training days, and the crap that comes with working in this industry. Though it's worth it! Good luck , let us know how things go for you.. If you can deal with the constraints and discipline from your days in the military you'll be able to handle trucking, I'm sure ...

Look forward to hearing about your progress. Thank you for your service to our country. Best of luck to you

 

Dont you have to team for 6 months with celedon. Think thats what a recruiter at the truck show told me. No thanks.