Approved for truck driving academy. Getting cold feet

x1Heavy · Dec 20, 2017

Rocknroller4 said: ↑

Thank you x1heavy. Well I think my serious issues have to be due to the fact I live with a smoker and it causes a hoarse, gluey throat and sometimes I'll start coughing and choking because it's so irritated that when I swallow food it will trigger the cough. That and the post nasal allergy from the secondhand smoke. Which is why I want to give trucking a chance to move out of this situation. I thought maybe if I sign up with Schneider I could go to Phoenix and see if getting away from the smoke and being in the desert would clear it all up.
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I have issues myself but if you got into say Kit Carson Co and up towards the central nebraska part of the USA I do very well. The air there is awesome to me.

But my first love was the sea. I should plan on getting back to it before too much time passes.

Rocknroller4 · Dec 20, 2017

x1Heavy said: ↑

I have issues myself but if you got into say Kit Carson Co and up towards the central nebraska part of the USA I do very well. The air there is awesome to me.

But my first love was the sea. I should plan on getting back to it before too much time passes.
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It wouldn't be too cold? I thought about moving to the Oregon coast but there isn't much out that way for new truck drivers unless I do OTR. Cold air sometimes will trigger asthma but I'm having most trouble with this closed up throat feeling that makes eating difficult. The smoker is stubborn and doesn't care to be honest. The pungent smell of the secondhand smoke that seeps in through the vent is the worst.

Vic Firth · Dec 20, 2017

CK73 said: ↑

Don't shoot me, but I decided on going paid company training with Swift. Mostly because the academy is within driving distance of home, but also because despite all of the negative posts I have read, their training program *seems* to be one of the best in the world.

This after reading thousands of posts, and considering OTR since August. I want the first year or two under the belt, and don't want to look like a job hopper, which I already do with my former career. Already approved and ready to go mid-January. The hotel looks nice, and if I need or want to, the house is only about an hour away. So yeah, Swift. REEFER. They already have me lined up to do mostly Wal-Mart and Target loads, even though I haven't even got the permit or passed the DOT physical LOL. That's how short handed they are in REEFER, they even pay for the hotel to help study for the permit, and prepare for the physical now, where recently you had to do all of that on your own prior to starting academy. That's how desperate they are for drivers I suppose. Hell I dunno, when I go on vacation I prefer all-inclusive, that's what Swift sounds like at the moment.
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I started in reefer a long time ago and it can be challenging to get used too but a lot of reefer drivers wouldn't pull anything else. Good luck to you!

NightWind · Dec 20, 2017

CK73 said: ↑

Current Uber driver here, former IT consultant. OTR seems like a good fit, as the demand for drivers is very high right now. I will be making .37 cents a mile right of the box. The cost of training is minimal. Single, no kids at home, comfortable being alone, and I actually enjoy driving.

Why the hesitation? I can't really put it into words. It's obviously a major lifestyle change, but part of me wants and needs that. It's not so much the money as the biggest priority, I just want to be in demand and never have to beg for a job ever again. I want to retire early and travel around in an RV, that's about it. But I have this feeling of dread. I'm no candy ###, in addition to IT, I have installed cable TV, and worked in the oilfields back in the day.

This should be a no brainer, I'm approved and ready to go, but alarms are going off in my head, yet there's no smoke or fire. Getting married was not as nerve racking. What gives?
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If your gut feeling says don't do it then don't. I always listen to mine it's never wrong. besides 37 cents a mile ain't enough even for a trainee

CK73 · Dec 20, 2017

NightWind said: ↑

If your gut feeling says don't do it then don't. I always listen to mine it's never wrong. besides 37 cents a mile ain't enough even for a trainee
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It's true, my gut is telling me to wait and just keep Ubering or postpone the whole thing until at least May when most of the snow/ice potential has cleared out. That said, my gut also got me into IT and told me to stick with it, and that long-term permanent job will eventually make me whole. 10 years of my stupid gut running the show LOL.

Far as .37 a mile, extensive research on my part shows that it pretty competitive for a first year driver. The other option was to go with a community college or IT tech for truck driver school. But guess what, the companies who do not demand a first year contract want 3-6 months of team driving before they will even considering letting you loose solo. Living with another dude in a 6x9 for 3-6 months is out of the question.

NightWind · Dec 20, 2017

CK73 said: ↑

It's true, my gut is telling me to wait and just keep Ubering or postpone the whole thing until at least May when most of the snow/ice potential has cleared out. That said, my gut also got me into IT and told me to stick with it, and that long-term permanent job will eventually make me whole. 10 years of my stupid gut running the show LOL.

Far as .37 a mile, extensive research on my part shows that it pretty competitive for a first year driver. The other option was to go with a community college or IT tech for truck driver school. But guess what, the companies who do not demand a first year contract want 3-6 months of team driving before they will even considering letting you loose solo. Living with another dude in a 6x9 for 3-6 months is out of the question.
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I vote with your gut it's never wrong

Dave_in_AZ · Dec 20, 2017

CK73 said: ↑

Don't shoot me, but I decided on going paid company training with Swift. Mostly because the academy is within driving distance of home, but also because despite all of the negative posts I have read, their training program *seems* to be one of the best in the world.

This after reading thousands of posts, and considering OTR since August. I want the first year or two under the belt, and don't want to look like a job hopper, which I already do with my former career. Already approved and ready to go mid-January. The hotel looks nice, and if I need or want to, the house is only about an hour away. So yeah, Swift. REEFER. They already have me lined up to do mostly Wal-Mart and Target loads, even though I haven't even got the permit or passed the DOT physical LOL. That's how short handed they are in REEFER, they even pay for the hotel to help study for the permit, and prepare for the physical now, where recently you had to do all of that on your own prior to starting academy. That's how desperate they are for drivers I suppose. Hell I dunno, when I go on vacation I prefer all-inclusive, that's what Swift sounds like at the moment.
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Redtwin · Dec 20, 2017

CK73 said: ↑

It's true, my gut is telling me to wait and just keep Ubering or postpone the whole thing until at least May when most of the snow/ice potential has cleared out. That said, my gut also got me into IT and told me to stick with it, and that long-term permanent job will eventually make me whole. 10 years of my stupid gut running the show LOL.

Far as .37 a mile, extensive research on my part shows that it pretty competitive for a first year driver. The other option was to go with a community college or IT tech for truck driver school. But guess what, the companies who do not demand a first year contract want 3-6 months of team driving before they will even considering letting you loose solo. Living with another dude in a 6x9 for 3-6 months is out of the question.
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Don't sweat the .37 CPM. I know it sounds really low, but I'm on track to hit $60K this year earning a paltry .37 CPM. Additional pay for things like detention and extra stops can make a significant difference to your income.

Dave_in_AZ · Dec 20, 2017

Of course, let's say by some Divine Intervention by Almighty God, you somehow survive training ( In the winter no less BWAHAHAHAHAHAH ) at Swift, and get a year in, with a clean record.

Well then it turns into this...........

NightWind · Dec 20, 2017

CK73 said: ↑

Don't shoot me, but I decided on going paid company training with Swift. Mostly because the academy is within driving distance of home, but also because despite all of the negative posts I have read, their training program *seems* to be one of the best in the world.

This after reading thousands of posts, and considering OTR since August. I want the first year or two under the belt, and don't want to look like a job hopper, which I already do with my former career. Already approved and ready to go mid-January. The hotel looks nice, and if I need or want to, the house is only about an hour away. So yeah, Swift. REEFER. They already have me lined up to do mostly Wal-Mart and Target loads, even though I haven't even got the permit or passed the DOT physical LOL. That's how short handed they are in REEFER, they even pay for the hotel to help study for the permit, and prepare for the physical now, where recently you had to do all of that on your own prior to starting academy. That's how desperate they are for drivers I suppose. Hell I dunno, when I go on vacation I prefer all-inclusive, that's what Swift sounds like at the moment.
Click to expand...

Good luck keep us posted

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