Drivers comfortabilty

Several drivers on here got a degree online. @ethos" is the latest one, I think.

 

Sysco - sometimes hires new cdl grads as "driver trainees."
Billings, Montana - $2,500 Sign on Bonus
$82,000 a year
Click here for more information > Apply On Company Site
This opportunity is available through Sysco Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates.
First things first. Let us introduce ourselves. Sysco is the #1 foodservice supplier in North America. But we are much more than food. We’re about everything that surrounds it. And with a workforce of over 50,000 associates in more than 180 locations, Sysco has the talent and reach to go beyond our customers’ expectations.
Sysco has immediate job openings for dependable CDL A Delivery Truck Drivers to safely operate a tractor trailer and unload/deliver various products to an assigned route schedule.

 

@Heavyfab - This company sometimes hires new cdl grads. You did post you want local work; right?
Central Transport - Billings, Montana
$1,000 - $1,300 a week
All qualified drivers are invited to apply in person at
Terminal Address:
4300 State Ave
Billings, MT 59101

 

That was me, now I am a history teacher and the head coach of the football team. This year I'll make 60k with lots of time off, Thanksgiving is a week, Christmas is 17 days, Spring Break a week and various other small holidays. Of course the big one is summer, June 1st to Aug 13th.

I post those numbers because I know many people will say I took a pay cut and I did. However, I wanted more time off and a more predictable schedule. I doubt I will ever go back to trucking. For me, school wasn't too hard, you just have to manage your time well. You have to have extra time, even if you are running as hard as possible you can only drive 70 hours. You do your work on your off days and you hit it hard. Do 2 classes at a time, CLEP as many as you can and you will have a degree in about 2.5 years.

I was an OTR tanker driver the entire time I was in school. I did 95% of the work from my sleeper. All you need is a laptop and a hotspot and you are good to go.

If you want it, you can do it. Let me know if you need any other specific advice.

 

@Heavyfab - there are two trucking company schools in Missoula, Montana. They both run coast to coast.
Lodging & meals provided while in school. School is free if you agree to work for the company 12 months.
Jim Palmer Trucking - refrigerated
Jones Bros. Trucking - flatbed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*****Jim Palmer Trucking*********************************Jones Bros. Trucking************

 

Cool! Thank you

 

That's interesting definitely going to look into both, flat bed is particularly interesting.

 

Some carriers that offered all the amenities years ago got tired of cleaning up after pigs that trashed the equipment and devalued it .
Today's driver as a whole takes very little pride in the equipment I'd have killed to drive 20 years ago .

 

OP

There are other options. While I won’t discuss who I work for (mega carrier), I can say there are those who make a place for drivers they wish to retain.

I work WHEN I want. I have been known to stay home for a month at a time. I’ve also been known to work 2 months without a day off, except for resets. I like to keep a 3 week on 1 off schedule, except for vacations and Christmas.

Driving for any company is hard. But there are companies out here that truly try to do the right thing. They just get lost in all the BS advertising you see. Namely because their advertising appears to be BS too.