Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Contemplating a career change

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by SCNewbie, May 25, 2010.

Page 1 of 4
  1. May 25, 2010 #1
    SCNewbie

    SCNewbie Bobtail Member

    38
    21
    May 19, 2010
    Rock Hill, SC
    0
    Hello, I was recently laid off from a construction management position and have always wanted to drive OTR. I am not sure after reading so many of the threads on this awesome site if I should be seriously looking at driving as a career.

    As of now I have contacted Drivers Solutions and they are telling me that USA Truck out of Fort Worth is an option. I am not sure if this is a good thing or not as I have read a lot on USA Truck and most is not good, except for the part about the newbies getting all of the miles. That probably breeds a fair amount of animosity among the experienced drivers.

    However, I do understand that you have to start somewhere, and pay your dues. I have no problem with that. I also understand that for every one negative thing said by someone in these forums, there is someone to contradict them. No workplace is perfect and not everyone has the same expectations.

    If I had the opportunity to speak with some drivers as to the best way to get started, that would be great! Is going to a company that trains the best way, or should I pony up the cost of training and try a different route? I don't have any negatives as far as driving record, medical or legal. I am 40 years old and have had a strong employment record.

    I welcome any thoughts or suggestions. Thanks.
     
    SCNewbie, May 25, 2010
    SCNewbie, May 25, 2010
    #1
    kickin chicken and Baack Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. May 25, 2010 #2
    Baack

    Baack Road Train Member

    15,294
    10,174
    May 24, 2007
    Wisconsin
    0
    Hi, SCNewbie, Welcome to our Truckers Forum! We hope you enjoy your stay and please read our RULES. We hope to help you and get to know you soon! Thanks, SCNewbie!

    SCNewbie, do you have a question about how to do something? Try our FAQ section or you can Private Message any Trucker Forum Staff Member (50 posts not required to PM a Moderator) to ask a question! Also, you can read through our Truckers Forum Information Center!
     
    Baack, May 25, 2010
    Baack, May 25, 2010
    #2
    kickin chicken Thanks this.
  4. May 25, 2010 #3
    kickin chicken

    kickin chicken Road Train Member

    3,240
    3,284
    Jan 4, 2009
    SC
    0
    Hello and Welcome to the Site:)

    Have you tried to apply for the WIA program through York Technical College in Rock Hill?

    IMHO, I would suggest the Community/Technical Colleges and their programs over any company trained, contracted driving.


    Best of Luck!!!!
     
    kickin chicken, May 25, 2010
    kickin chicken, May 25, 2010
    #3
    SCNewbie and Baack Thank this.
  5. May 25, 2010 #4
    SCNewbie

    SCNewbie Bobtail Member

    38
    21
    May 19, 2010
    Rock Hill, SC
    0
    Thanks for the response kickin chicken. I saw the WIA program but at the moment I am not eligible since I have only been laid off for 2 weeks(they require 15 or more weeks). I do value your opinion, as I have seen many beneficial posts made by you. I hate the thought of sucking off the state for the summer....
     
    SCNewbie, May 25, 2010
    SCNewbie, May 25, 2010
    #4
    The Challenger and kickin chicken Thank this.
  7. May 25, 2010 #5
    kickin chicken

    kickin chicken Road Train Member

    3,240
    3,284
    Jan 4, 2009
    SC
    0
    Thanks. But, the WIA program will make you pull grant money from your PELL grant that would be available for you while a student of the college.
    York Tech offers a 9 week program.

    I have never heard that the WIA wants you to be unemployed for any given amount of time. Being unemployed qualifies an individual for the program.

    If you choose to pay cash for training, don't pay over $2,500.00 for this area.

    Use our Search feature to help with your research of different schools and trucking companies.

    Keep us posted!!
    Best of Luck!!!!!
     
    kickin chicken, May 25, 2010
    kickin chicken, May 25, 2010
    #5
    Baack Thanks this.
  8. May 25, 2010 #6
    SCNewbie

    SCNewbie Bobtail Member

    38
    21
    May 19, 2010
    Rock Hill, SC
    0

    I will contact York Tech to look into this further. All of this grant stuff is a big unknown for me right now, but it looks as though I need to get up to speed. Thanks again, and I will keep you posted.
     
    SCNewbie, May 25, 2010
    SCNewbie, May 25, 2010
    #6
    kickin chicken Thanks this.
  9. May 25, 2010 #7
    48Packard

    48Packard Ol' Two-stop Shag!

    8,348
    9,871
    Apr 19, 2009
    Could be anywhere
    0
    SCNewbie...welcome from a fellow SC'er (though only by marriage!)

    I wish you well, friend...I don't have any constructive input (which is really normal for me), but I would encourage you to pursue it if it really is something you've always wanted to do.

    Yeah, that first job will probably be the worst for several reasons, not the least of which is that you'll feel like a fish out of water. But good training at the company level can help that a great deal; however, too often you have to demand it (in a professional way, of course).

    Keep reading the posts, and keep us abreast of your happenings!
     
    48Packard, May 25, 2010
    48Packard, May 25, 2010
    #7
    kickin chicken, Baack and SCNewbie Thank this.
  10. May 25, 2010 #8
    The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

    7,127
    3,367
    Dec 22, 2007
    East Central FL
    0
    SC,

    I am KH, a greeter. It is my honor to welcome to one of the greatest trucking sites a truck driver, potential truck driver or S/O has in their tool belts. Please remember that driving a 18 wheeler is not driving your car. You are responsible for a vehicle that can legally weigh 40 Tons. Also once you hold a CDL, you are held to higher standard. Here are some threads that will answer some your questions:

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/questions-from-new-drivers/

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/trucking-schools/

    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/experienced-truckers-advice/

    Enjoy your stay and remember an answer to a question is only a click away.

    KH
     
    The Challenger, May 25, 2010
    The Challenger, May 25, 2010
    #8
    SCNewbie, Baack and kickin chicken Thank this.
  11. May 26, 2010 #9
    AUSSIE DAVE

    AUSSIE DAVE Road Train Member

    1,032
    176
    Feb 21, 2010
    OZ - Brisbane
    0
    welcome, and good luck, hope you enjoy your career change.
     
    AUSSIE DAVE, May 26, 2010
    AUSSIE DAVE, May 26, 2010
    #9
    Baack, The Challenger and SCNewbie Thank this.
  12. May 26, 2010 #10
    SCNewbie

    SCNewbie Bobtail Member

    38
    21
    May 19, 2010
    Rock Hill, SC
    0
    As promised, I went by York Tech today and spoke to the admissions personnel. I was informed that all WIA funds in SC are on hold. However, my last job was in NC and that is where I should be applying for any funding. The upcoming class at York Tech starts 6/28 and I have already contacted NCESC to see about funding. I will keep you posted. Thanks again for the idea, might be some leg work but if it pans out it will be for the best.:biggrin_255:
     
    SCNewbie, May 26, 2010
    SCNewbie, May 26, 2010
    #10
    kickin chicken Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 4