General Questions about breaking into trucking industry

Oh my! "Touche" I just love it when you use them big ol' words like thet.
HAHA Just kidding with you LOL

 

Wonder how much less... ($35k is like $15k more than I get now....that wouldn't stink!) Thanks danc, now I got stars in my eyes again, lol :smt119

 

Before reading this thread, I was pretty solid on going to a company sponsored paid training... either PAM, or USA, were the only ones I'd found so far.

But... it does make sense that if you are in contract to work for them for 1 year as pay-back, then you might not get the nicest treatment (or the best training).

THanks for that insight. Good training and a fair job are pluses.


2 questions then -

Since I'm not eligible for gov funds 9and don't have months to wait),
are there any cheaper ways to get CDL than the $3,000-$5,000 courses I've seen around?
(I suppose I could study and pass the written part on my own, but I'd definitely need training for the driving - I've never even been in a cab)

And, after getting CDL, how to land a job with no experience?
btw, long OTR runs are what I'd prefer. weeks out and cross-country runs are fine with me, so hopefully that'll help.


One thing that seemed good about company sponsored training WAS the contract - GUARANTEED work, and you leave with 1 year of experience.. to move into other jobs. If I spend cash or credit getting training I'm going to need to land a job pretty soon after that.

JJ
lower east PA


add:
Thought it's relevant too.. my work history and I'm wondering if it'll matter. I'm seeing a lot of companies wanting solid work history.

Since I got out of college (BS) in '98 I was working on a business that didn't work out. I've had only 1 odd part-time job really during that period. Did work on a trash truck (not driver) for 1 week, though I don't know whether it's better to mention that or not.
I am in my mid 30's, clean MVR for 5 years, no felonies, DUI, etc, and can pass the tests for the CDL exam and any company tests.
Will my lack of work history matter much?

 

You sure you're not my lost twin?
Who knows, if a team position ever opens up, I might send you a message to see.

Yeah, the more I read and think, it seems that the guarantee of 1year or more of employment is worth whatever negatives there are from a quick and specialized sponsor program. I was just reading that a specific training may only teach you what's needed for their exact operation... so you may not learn air brakes or something else that will be helpful or required by other jobs.

But so far, guaranteed pay and experience of 1 year... seem like the most important factors. I just wonder how we can maximize the driving practice part. Some schools will give you a day's worth of training for $150 or so... not too steep a price to pay for being able to be safe and confident.

 

I have been watching this board off and on since 2003. At that time, my hubby was working with Covenant. His experience was a bit on the negative side and I wish he would have stayed longer and then look for another company. But he came off the road because is diabetes was getting harder to control and is now on insulin.

But back to me -- I got interested in the trucking industry due to some courses I have been taking in a safety program. It is online oriented and I will eventally end up getting a degree in Occupational Safety and Health. One course covered fleet safety in which my textbook was the manager edition of the DOT regulations. This was when I got interested in becoming a trucker myself.

I was thinking at the time of waiting till I was around 55 or so to go to truck school and retire from my day job. I won't say for what specific business but it is very similar to what you see in the series CSI.

Now the present -- I went to truck school and graduated in December. I paid for it and went to a local junior college here that started up a CDL program in 2007. I have since found out that since I didn't apply to any companies during my school time that it becomes harder for a company to look at you. That really wasn't said during school.

I got a reply from Werner to start. I have been seeing some ugly stories here so I called my driver trainer during school. My trainer was a hubby and wife team with Werner and they came off the road due to the increasing age of the hubby. They still like to drive but I mostly it was due to doing a lot of OTR. She said that their time with Werner was okay but they owned their truck.

Anyway, I'm considering retiring from my current job and go driving. I know I will make less by retiring early and the newbie driver rates aren't too impressive. But I also get the impression that something is up starting next month. I have been seeing a gradual increase in truck jobs but they mostly want experience. I figure if I can hang out with Werner long enough I can then try something with a company where I'm at. There are a few good trucking companies here but they want a minimum of 6 months experience.

Another reason I'm considering trucking is to possibly get involved with fleet safety. I do a certain amount of safety were I'm at now and by getting involved in the industry at the trucking level, I will have a better handle on it in regards to safety.

I haven't put in my retirement papers yet but am considering to do so this week. I have an orientation date with Werner on 23 Feb.

 

WOW!!! I can relate to you on just about everything you've said. My husband was a driver for many many years and had to quit due to an accident while at work. So we had a role reversal. I continued in trucking in management and was at one of the large TL carriers at last employment. I've always wanted to drive for as long as I can remember so I went to a community college in Dec 2008. Got part way thru the course then had to take a leave due to family issues. I go back mid March to finish and hopefully take the exam and pass.
I really like your ideas (similar to mine LOL) Your thinking about working for someone like a Werner actually is very sound. It might be the right thing to do. It's what I'm going to do as soon as I can. I also think that your background along with the driving experience can lead to other jobs in the industry. Let me know what you do and about your experiences there. I sincerely wish you the best luck that I can give. Go get 'em!!!