At a career crossroads and once again considering trucking (OTR)

Can probably get free cdl school, no cost to you, through WIOA Program Georgia. Not sure about the Hope Scholarship, but you can check that one also for free cdl school.

 

You have a viable plan and it's pretty common with truckers.

 

Understand that trucking is not just a job -- but also a LIFESTYLE.

It's a lot of long days in the saddle -- 12 to 14 hours, in many cases.

It's tough on relationships (being single for you is a huge plus, obviously).

Also -- the CDL job market is tough right now for rookies -- & likely will remain so for (at least) the rest of the year.

Bottom line: take your time. Think carefully & research the type(s) of freight that you think you might like to pull. Take a local-area CDL course that will final exam you out on manual tractors -- so you won't later have an "automatic only" restriction on your CDL license. Then get ALL the relevant endorsements: tanker, hazmat...& doubles/triples.

MORE ENDORSEMENTS = MORE OPPORTUNITIES = MORE $$$$$$$

-- L

 

1st, welcome aboard, you came to the right place. Once you establish this is really what you want to do, this "Chinatown" character, our resident recruitment,,guy, will have you swimming with offers. He makes it pretty easy.
2nd, you certainly have all the qualifications, we get many folks that around your age, that suffer from career burnout, and trucking becomes a viable option. Many, however, are desperate, literally the last game in town, and fail miserably. My standard stat is, 50% of new drivers quit in the 1st 6 months, and 25% of the remaining, don't make it a year, so the odds are clearly against you. The good news, you can do it, and "run the clock out" doing something you like. Trucking has many issues non-trucking folks aren't prepared for. OTR and regional ( local or maybe an overnight) are 2 distinct different games, each with challenges of their own. My best advice, and many will agree, going to a local school, not affiliated with any company, may be cheaper, but risky business. Go to a company that Chinatown suggests, go through THEIR program, and you'll have a job waiting. Private school, not so much. Initially, you may not get the loads you like, but you have to be open minded, and sounds like you are, patience pays off in this here industry. Good luck, and keep us posted, eh?

 

You have a realistic plan, and Atlanta is good area for jobs. Give it a shot.
Maybe think of plan b is it is not for you, but i think you might enjoy it

 

I like it. Be picky about who you hire on with. I got really lucky with my first employer. I was just looking for a decent starter job and their local terminal was the closest one to my house, five years later I’m still with them.

 

He also mentioned that after his situation changes, 55-60K will have a better cash flow.

 

You can get lots of miles with an OTR refrigerated company.
KLLM Transport is one of the better refrigerated companies for new cdl school grads. Also has their own cdl school. I think the pay you're looking for can be achieved at KLLM. This company runs all 48 states.
Here's from the website:
KLLM DRIVING ACADEMY LOCATIONS
Our two Class-A CDL school/academy locations serve entry-level students and permit holders from Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. We offer refresher courses to students from around the country.
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