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Baltimore Cabbie ready to make the switch!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by BoredCabbie, Jun 27, 2012.

  1. Jun 27, 2012 #1
    BoredCabbie

    BoredCabbie Bobtail Member

    4
    1
    Jun 21, 2012
    Towson, MD
    0
    Posted this in Welcome Wagon but this is probably the better place for it.

    Been driving a cab in Baltimore county for about a total of eight years. I've been leasing and working my ### off but it's dangerous at times and I'm getting really interested in making the move to trucking ever since my uncle got robbed and had his cab stolen a while back and vowed never to drive a cab again. I got my cdl permit a few years back but I realized I wasn't ready to go otr for weeks at a time. Well I'm 33 now and I think it's time to make this career move and maybe lease to own a truck in a few years from now instead of buying a cab and looking over my shoulder for the next 30 years.

    Another concern is the drop in pay at first. Right now I make about $150-200 cash daily after expenses but I drive about 14 hrs a day, 7 days a week. Sounds like a lot of time but its not bad.

    My main reason for coming here is to find the best 3 choices in schools that a new driver can't go wrong with. Where can I get a solid education without paying up front AND a decent job for noobs like me. This seems to be a good place to start from what I've been reading.

    Any advise, suggestions, and tips are welcomed and greatly appreciated because even though I've been on the road for years as a semi-pro, this is still pretty intimidating and I really don't want to start off on the wrong foot and get discouraged quickly from a bad experience that could have been avoided by talking to pro drivers first.
     
    BoredCabbie, Jun 27, 2012
    BoredCabbie, Jun 27, 2012
    #1
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  3. Jun 27, 2012 #2
    formertaxidriver

    formertaxidriver Heavy Load Member

    767
    375
    Jan 22, 2008
    Aiea, HI
    0
    Welcome. You will enjoy freight that doesn't sass you back, run away without paying or barf in your workspace.

    Cabbing experience serves me well out here, especially how to behave in the urban environment. Some of these drivers come from very rural backgrounds.

    If you have specific questions you may PM me after you make 7 posts.

    I drove, dispatched and was lower mid level management in big companies in Los Angeles for over 20 years. With a couple of year breaks in Honolulu. I feel your pain.
     
    formertaxidriver, Jun 27, 2012
    formertaxidriver, Jun 27, 2012
    #2
    BoredCabbie Thanks this.
  4. Jun 27, 2012 #3
    PanteraUSMC

    PanteraUSMC Bobtail Member

    27
    18
    Jun 25, 2012
    Liverpool NY
    0
    There are a lot of government programs out there now a days that will help you pay, or cover the entire cost of the schooling. Find and accredited school and rock n roll. Throughout your schooling you will approached by several recruiters from prob the big ones. (Swift, Schnieder, JB, ect) Here is the catch, being that you are coming out of school it is 99.9% that once you have completed the orientation you will be assigned to a trainer and run with him for 4 - 6 weeks. Yes, this means you will be running team with your trainer. You will prob also be paid a salary of 300 - 400 weekly. Once released you will start at their lowest tier in pay. Yeah, the first year sucks but stick it out, once you get a year under you (safe) doors start to open. You get up to 2 years the good jobs start falling into place. So, take whatever loads they give you without a complaint, NEVER EVER abandon a truck ESPECIALLY under a load, (if this happens and it is reported to your DAC report you will be screwed) stay safe and learn as much as you can. WE all have had to pay our dues in the beginning and it sucked, but now after 19 years, I am doing pretty well. There is always crap to deal with in trucking but, basically, it's not a bad gig. Also, dont get tied up in the whole "screw my dispatcher" attitudes that are out there. I hear those conversations all the time and I stay clear. Waste of my time. Don't be afraid to ask other drivers if you are uncomfortable backing into a dock that is tight. The drivers you are backing in next to would rather you ask for help than take off their mirrors or worse. Be safe and GOOD LUCK
     
    PanteraUSMC, Jun 27, 2012
    PanteraUSMC, Jun 27, 2012
    #3
    BoredCabbie Thanks this.
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