Thinking seriously about career change to

Not sure about being treated right. They all promise the world and don't deliver. I have a guaranteed minimum pay they do delivery on that ! But home time suffers. We drive 70 hours in 6 days and to 34 hour restart every week.

Long haul refer load are nice and easy driving but long loading and unloading usually don't get paid for that just for driving. I liked driving cross country vs now running regional

 

I highly recommend Groendyke Transport. They recently purchased Mckenzie Tank Lines in Tallahassee.
Contact them and ask about cdl school and which one in your area they hire from.
www.groendyke.com
Great money in tankers.
"Fewer than six months of over-the-road driving experience, or has completed a driving course from an approved school, finishing in the top of the class, with good attendance. 28-day training plan."

 

Here's two refrigerated outfits that have school in Mississippi.
Transportation, lodging, meals provided.
KLLM Transport owns FFE(Frozen Food Express).
Home | KLLM Driving Academy
https://www.kllmdrivingacademy.com
Come train to be a professional truck driver at The KLLM Driving Academy. We'll get you equipped to go on the road as a Class A truck driver in 22 days - and we'll have a job waiting when you finish your training. Plus, if you agree to drive for us for one year after you're trained, your tuition is covered by a KLLM scholarship!

 

Semper fi. 98-03 here. Trucking isnt much different than the marines except for the very solo nature of it. Theres not gonna be another jarhead with you to talk to, but there is gonna be a lot of BS to endure. Youll conquer it then grow bored and unsatisfied. Thats why you joined the marines and not another branch.. For the struggle, right? For the challenge. Well in 6 months the challenge in truckin will be not hating it.


If youve got chrome lust you arent gonna be happy in some fleet volvo or 62mph tmc hauling widgits. Itll be exciting while its new and then fade.

Flatbed probably has the most variety and that may entertain you longer.. Small reefer outfits have the sickest trucks if youre into the stovepipes and train horns. Bewarned.. The road will change you. Itll become a love hate once you get your first taste. And its hard to find the ideal niche you can love most of the time.

I dont even know if theres any advice in there or if im just rambling but those are my thoughts looking back and your story reminds me of me. If its big heavy loud industrial and makes or breaks bank accounts i am drawn in. And half the time want out!

You only live once i guess. If youve really got the bug, you wont be satisfied until theres a long hood in front of you and two big pipes barking at every thing you pass. Dont worry which company you start with cuz you wont be getting your itch scratched enough there.

Get your CDL any way you can, get your few months in and move on until you find the shoe that fits. You may decide you need to build your own truck or go back to kitchens. Its hard to say once you cross the threshold.

 

One example of the way it lures ya in.. Or me anyway. Not long ago i got assigned a drop in cashiers NC, at night, first time going. This place is seriously narrow, steep and covered in switchbacks. Took a 4 point turn to get into this dropsite, then back out into the same super narrow road while two flaggers stopped a boatload of traffic on 64. Pullin in i thought theres no way im getting out. I was stressed to 11.

This morning what do i ask my boss?

You got any more loads to cashiers?

 

Well youre in luck.. You get to wear the same one all week! And then you pull laundry detail and get to go wash them for a whole battallion!

I joined for the babes. Funny thing is the movies are a lie. women around marine bases dont like marines, unless theres a war. i guess i was lucky there was a war!

 

9-11 era.