Career Change...CDL?

Go for it im on unemployment too was a bummer to get hurt on the job then canned but ended up being a blessing everybody should be taking advantage of the W.i.a. Being on unemployment sucks but thats the one bright spot. They want me to go otr after cdl a class but im door to door in the oil patch in nd,texas, and marcellus shale before falling back on otr. Roughneck or driver I dont care but the cdl hazmat/tanker is in demand and there is money to be made right now. Good luck my man

 

Your friend is self-employed, so he has to provide his own health insurance (nothing wrong with that). Yes, health insurance can be expensive, but going without it is playing with fire.
His sequence does make sense.
Current drivers can answer your income question better than I can.
BOL.

 

Trucking as a career change..well..to answer that there sre some things you have to consider.

1. Away from home between 3 and 5 weeks at a time..then home for only a few days..
2. First year companies are usually pretty rough to work for..known as driver mills..they want a warm butt in a seat and beyond that..they really don't care much..but learn to work their system you'll do ok.
3. income first year..between 22k and 40k range..depends on #2..
4. This isn't just a career..its a serious life change...long hard days...crappy dispatchers...truck stops...shippers and receivers that don't care if you have been waiting an hour or 3 days...

And that barely scratches the surface. BUT..if you have the patience and persevere through that first year, income can get much better as well as home time etc..2nd year you can move on to a better company where you aren't just a truck number any more.

Benefits..company drivers usually can get company health benefits after 30, 60, or 90 days...depends on the company how much it costs you..some pay part of the premiums..some don't. Recruiters will be straight up about health benefits...

Miles...take what a recruiter tells you and figure 75 percent of their figure is true average.

Last..most of the complaints about companies are because that particular driver didn't do things that they should have done that would have resulted in faster dispatches and more miles..Keep that in mind and stay away from companies that push leases on new drivers.

Petey

 

I was recently downsized too. I had always wanted to be a truck driver since I love the trucks, driving, and traveling.

I made the move because I just couldn't muster up the motivation to start a new position in sales. I think I'm just getting too old and grumpy for a " people" job. Since I was on unemployment and had some money saved up, I figured now was a great time to take the plunge.

Now, I've just started with Schneider on a 3 week out, 1 week in program, but so far, it's gone very smooth.

I expect to make about $30k over the next 12 months. I should make about $35-$40k my second year.

It's not the best pay, but good pay if one considers all of the benefits Schneider offers and none can put a price tag on a week home with my kids every month. It's also worth noting, Schneider, like many companys do, is re-imburseing me for my CDL school up to $3500 at a rate of $150/ month.

I've heard they offer a good lease to own program too.

Hope this post helps ya !

 

Don't ever touch a 401k.

1. That is there for your retirement (supposedly).
2. The tax impact is so bad your lucky to end up with 50% of what your removing.

..save up for a downpayment on a rig from a place like Lone Mountain, and when the time comes and your ready - then do it.
$100/week into a savings account really adds up, presuming you could do that.

PS. Even if I was facing forclosure, I wouldn't touch the 401k. Let the bank take the dam home and find a nice
apartment. Your 401k is virtually untouchable by any debt you incure.

Of course nothing is immune from the IRS

 

Trucking is a great way to sort of retire..

If you are married, kids are out of the house and on their own, and the lady of the house wants to ride along..sell the house, keep a car at the terminal, get a p.o. box and take home time where you want to..

Its can be like retiring to drive the US in an RV almost if you do it right..Run your 70...plan it out with your dispatcher ahead of time so you can do restarts in places like LA, Vegas etc..see the sights..get back in the truck..drive some more to the next location..take your 34 or "home time" see the sights..rinse, repeat etc

Or rent the house out so you hae it down the road..

Petey