Thinking about becoming a CDL driver

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by kailuakid, Jul 15, 2009.

  1. kailuakid

    kailuakid Bobtail Member

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    Jul 15, 2009
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    I am new to this site, hopefully I'm posting this in the right area. I am a 38 year old who recently left/lost my job of the past 10 years. Got sick of being stuck in an office/cubicle. I have always loved going out on the road trip by myself, sometimes I will just drive to the next state just to get out of my town. I'm curious about getting a CDL. What kind of work is out there in the transportion industry in this crappy economy? What kind of jobs and yearly pay does a truck driver make? Just want some guidance in this. Where should I start and what direction should I lean towards?
    Thanks for the help.
     
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  3. Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

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    Why does the trucking industry seem to draw so many people in, as their last resort for a paycheck? Did you want to get into this game when you were a kid, or only after you started approaching 40 years old and became unemployeed?

    Were I you, I'd look at another line of work. This is a bad time to get into trucking, especially as a last resort. Maybe after we get rid of Obama and the democrats and the economy picks up.

    No what you wanted to hear, I know. No offence dude.
     
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  4. Bigarmin88

    Bigarmin88 Road Train Member

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    Well if you want to be a trucker badly,then go for it.Its real bad right now and there are lots of unemployed drivers out there,im one of them.As far getting into trucking,its a no brainer,just find a local trucking school and be ready to pay around $6,000+ for it.I havent been on the road for a while but I have lots of friends that are truckers plus I have a brother who is trucker and what I heard is it bad right now.Anyway what to look for if you do get your CDL is be ready to start with a "starter company"some good some bad but you get the experience you need to go to a better company.Lots of newbies start with either werner,swift,c.r.e etc but there more out there.Also get use to being away from home alot,there be times where you are out 4 to 6 weeks before you see home again.What ever you I wish you good luck.
     
  5. Paddington

    Paddington Medium Load Member

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  6. pandapowerz

    pandapowerz Bobtail Member

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    Why does every experienced trucker say to do something else? Why aren't you doing something else if it's so terrible?

    Besides, look around. Every industry sucks right now. Should a person simply give up? I don't get the message. What industry is better?
     
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  7. cynicalsailor

    cynicalsailor Bobtail Member

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    Jul 1, 2009
    Cenral Coast, CA
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    Truckers just like to #####. Very few driving jobs pay well, so I imagine a lot of drivers can't afford to quit and move on to something else. And,.. the more new drivers that come into the game, the less freight there is for the guys already driving. The industry DOES suck right now but you're right, what industry doesn't?
     
  8. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    Not all drivers do. I have locked horns with several that say trucking stinks. It has it's ups and downs, but I have never had a problem finding work. I just quit the other day and a few hours later I am trying to decide which co to go with out of the 2 that I narrowed it down to.
     
  9. kailuakid

    kailuakid Bobtail Member

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    Jul 15, 2009
    Phoenix, AZ
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    Thanks for the input everybody. I know the economy sucks everywhere and in every market. I guess I'm just weighing out my options, just looking to do something new for a change. Oh yeah and by the way Winchester its not a last resort, its the plan of looking at new options. So tell me, when you where a kid you said to your mother...Mom when i grow up I wanna be a truck driver!". :biggrin_2554: Be serious everyone looks for work that peeks there interest or that brings needed change in their life. These changes can occur at 18, 27, 38, or even 50 years of age.
     
  10. Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

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    Yeah, I was one of them silly kids who knew early LOL. Glad it's not your last resort.....this game seems to work best for those who want in, not those who need in, if that makes sense.

    Good luck to ya.
     
  11. panhandlepat

    panhandlepat Road Train Member

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    i AM.
    as of sunday i jumped ship. the pay and treatment for drivers ain't what it was 2 yrs ago. after 2 1/2 yrs i went right back to what i was doing before (HVAC) making about the same money. home every night, 8 hour days. plenty of fishin' time :biggrin_255:
    i WANTED in, GOT in, saw the whole country, and MOVED ON LOL (for now)
     
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