Retired Military, Advice for Starting as a New CDL in N.C.

That sounds weird maybe she misunderstood because the 400/wk while training is because you have no exp driving so they're starting you at the bottom. They have to pay more than just one flat rate your entire years there that's no incentive to stay if there aren't raises. Im going there to do lease purchase tho. And I know a lot of people knock it but you should really sit and compare them both its not that bad you make more money than a company driver and have more responsibility but I think its work it. Im just trying to save up some money and pay down some debt then im going to private dealer and buy a truck. but this is my foot in the door approach im taking. I have done research on my own and not listening to others bad news stories. Always remember its two sides to stories and every company and or deal isn't for every driver just take what people say with a grain of salt.

 

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT WASTE YOUR GI BILL ON THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM!

Eventually you might want to go back to school and drive locally. Save the Bill for then.

Im not sure what kind of trucking you are into, but my last co-driver was Armored recon and lives next to an active base in the south. He is actually coming back to teaming as soon as he can.

I got into teaming to get away from a bad truck that was 105 degrees when I was trying to sleep, and only went teaming to get the air conditioning as a slept. It ended up being one of the best decisions Ive ever made, and I made excellent money.

The loads and routes are much better, you get to actually see the country instead of the flat roads between industrial cities, and there is far less stress. At the end of your shift, you just pass the remainder of the load off to the other driver, dont even have to back in, and just swap over at the fuel pump.

Many companies will help you team up with another former military member, I know Werner does. Typically one driver will work night, the other will work day, and they team the opposites. So the guy who wants to drive nights is driving nights, and the day guy can drive days. They also take into account music and smoking preferences, and things of that nature.

I was averaging well over a grand a week, and didnt have to deal with problems. The problems still happen, but they become a footnote if you have another driver. No clocks to work with, no breakdowns forcing you to stay up all day and then drive at night. Teaming eliminates most of the worst parts of driving. Breakdowns and delays arent nearly as irritating, because you can rely on the other driver to complete the load when your shift is up.

Its definitely one of the most underrated parts of trucking. And the pay is also really good, as well. There are a lot of bonuses available, and pay is rarely below $1000 a week. You also get the seniority of whatever driver you are with, at least at Werner.

I would not recommend their solo departments, but team was always very very good to me. I only stopped because my co-driver retired and I had a training issue to replace him with someone else.

 

You'll be ridin' in style!

 

Starting Wil-Trans Orientation; MBM Food Service will more than likely get you home the most frequent & consistent.

http://jobs.monster.com/search/Nort...ruck-Driver&where=North-Carolina&rad=20-miles

http://mbmcareers.com/

 

eh, another johnny come lately option: drive around town looking at the grocery stores, hardware stores and car parts stores to check and see if their hiring or what Companies Service their deliveries, preference to non sleeper berth trucks. Hire Local equals maximum home time...all other options increase the time away from home.

 

He's retired military, so would have NO patience with those dipsticks he would have to deal with at grocery stores. Most vets do better on the open road. I know there are exceptions, but that's what I've observed over the years.

 

Vet's (myself, I'm one) prefer to have an opinion...spending time at home...being told to do something, aint the problem. More than likely, they follow the rules better than most. Grocery deliveries...labor intensive