Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

New Guy here

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by lmholmes11, Mar 1, 2009.

  1. Mar 1, 2009 #1
    lmholmes11

    lmholmes11 Bobtail Member

    6
    0
    Feb 25, 2009
    Grand Rapids, MI
    0
    Hello All,

    Just checking in to the forum, I found it the other day. Just from the few posts I have read i can tell it will be very informative. I am located in Grand Rapids, MI and I am very interested in getting into trucking. I have spend the past 4 years in the United States Marine Corp, and got deployed from 2006-2007. My fionce's dad has three trucks so he's been teaching me a few things here or there. He is a chairman of the Michigan Corn Growers Association, farms a little over 3,000 acres of corn/soybeans a year.

    Anyways, Just wanted to introduce myself for now, and eventually I'm sure I will have a lot of un answered questions. I have already gone to the SOS and gotten the study materials for the written tests, in hopes of finding a good CDL school nearby. I will keep everyone updated.


    Lance
     
    lmholmes11, Mar 1, 2009
    lmholmes11, Mar 1, 2009
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Mar 1, 2009 #2
    Mortar Man

    Mortar Man Road Train Member

    1,369
    379
    Dec 16, 2008
    0
    hey there DEVIL DOG

    ask away.. if you got any questions:yes2557:
     
    Mortar Man, Mar 1, 2009
    Mortar Man, Mar 1, 2009
    #2
  4. Mar 1, 2009 #3
    ampm wayne

    ampm wayne Heavy Load Member

    945
    746
    Jan 13, 2009
    bloomington,in
    0
    Learn all you can from your future father-in-law. He should be a great resource.
     
    ampm wayne, Mar 1, 2009
    ampm wayne, Mar 1, 2009
    #3
  5. Mar 3, 2009 #4
    lmholmes11

    lmholmes11 Bobtail Member

    6
    0
    Feb 25, 2009
    Grand Rapids, MI
    0
    Would most everyone agree that the easiest way to start out and get experience (which i am finding a LOT of companies require) is to get hired on a construction/excavation company?
     
    lmholmes11, Mar 3, 2009
    lmholmes11, Mar 3, 2009
    #4
  7. Mar 3, 2009 #5
    RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

    12,812
    6,137
    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
    0
    If you have an opportunity to get in construction go for it . The earnings will be better than OTR . Supposedly the Stimulus Bill will provide a lot of construction work . The only thing is that experience won't help if you try to go OTR . But you'd be better off staying local . You fiance's dad must know quite a few regional ag haulers but as a rule those rates are pretty low .
     
    RickG, Mar 3, 2009
    RickG, Mar 3, 2009
    #5
  8. Mar 5, 2009 #6
    lmholmes11

    lmholmes11 Bobtail Member

    6
    0
    Feb 25, 2009
    Grand Rapids, MI
    0
    I recently called both CDL Schools that are located in Grand Rapids, and they are both three weeks long, however I'm not sure about how many days per week. One would cost $4500, and the other $4200. This seems pretty steep to me for just three weeks. I called both of them to ask if they were a PTDI Certified School. Both said no, but they are a "Michigan State Certified School". Could someone tell me if going to a PTDI school is absolutely necessary? I did a search online and there is a college around here and they ARE PTDI certified. I think I would rather just play it safe and go to that one. Anyone have any input?
     
    lmholmes11, Mar 5, 2009
    lmholmes11, Mar 5, 2009
    #6
  9. Mar 6, 2009 #7
    7mouths2feed

    7mouths2feed "Family Man"

    1,186
    464
    Nov 29, 2007
    Jacksonville, AR
    0
    The price is in line with most schools. Have you checked with local colleges? Many tech schools have cdl training and you can use the fafsa to assist with payment as well as the GI bill I think. PM BroncRider about that, he may have more info.
     
    7mouths2feed, Mar 6, 2009
    7mouths2feed, Mar 6, 2009
    #7
  10. Mar 6, 2009 #8
    Kabar

    Kabar Road Train Member

    1,041
    395
    Nov 5, 2008
    Pell City Al
    0
    Welcome abourd Devil Dog [​IMG]

    You should know that this is a tough time to get into trucking. I would advise that you take any job you can that gives you driving experience. The wait after school is long so don't get down if you don't get an OTR job for awhile.
     
    Kabar, Mar 6, 2009
    Kabar, Mar 6, 2009
    #8
  11. Mar 8, 2009 #9
    lmholmes11

    lmholmes11 Bobtail Member

    6
    0
    Feb 25, 2009
    Grand Rapids, MI
    0
    Ok thanks guys, i will keep you all posted on what I decide to do
     
    lmholmes11, Mar 8, 2009
    lmholmes11, Mar 8, 2009
    #9
  12. Mar 8, 2009 #10
    brinkj23

    brinkj23 "Asphalt Cowboy"

    1,165
    322
    Dec 26, 2005
    Minnesota
    0
    Welcome to the forum, and if i can say the best dang trucking forum on the net! There are a lot an I mean a lot of very informative people on here with lots of advice. So good luck on your adventures, and thanks for serving our country there marine.
     
    brinkj23, Mar 8, 2009
    brinkj23, Mar 8, 2009
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.