Hello

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by The Mariachi, Jan 10, 2015.

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  1. Jan 10, 2015 #1
    The Mariachi

    The Mariachi Bobtail Member

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    Jan 10, 2015
    New Albany, Indiana
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    Hi all!!

    I am considering getting into OTR trucking since talking with my brother-in-law who has been OTR for many years now and he loves it. A friend used to drive OTR and gave me this website and some information from his personal experience. He suggested going to some truck stops such as TA and try and talk with some truckers and to use this forum as well.

    That's all for now.
     
    The Mariachi, Jan 10, 2015
    The Mariachi, Jan 10, 2015
    #1
    Chinatown Thanks this.
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  3. Jan 11, 2015 #2
    Rev. Haynes

    Rev. Haynes Bobtail Member

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    Jan 10, 2015
    Ga.
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    Welcome to trucking:). OTR is not for a family man atleast not for for long. It is a great way to get some seat time to help get something else, that is my opinion. If you decide to give it a try beware lease programs make sure you read all the fine print, most don't end well. May God lead & bless you.
     
    Rev. Haynes, Jan 11, 2015
    Rev. Haynes, Jan 11, 2015
    #2
    Ga Dawg141 and Chinatown Thank this.
  4. Jan 11, 2015 #3
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Trucking is a good career.
    Attend a 160 hr. CDL school and get all the endorsements; tanker/hazmat, TWIC card, passport or passport card. All this will set you up for the good paying jobs, $60K+, right out of CDL school. Several tanker/hazmat companies hire new CDL grads. A couple hire from certain schools and some don't care as long as the school is 160 hrs. or longer. Some reimburse you for CDL school tuition.

    Superior Carriers
    Trimac Transportation
    SVTN
    Tidewater Transit
    Groendyke
    A&R Transport
    CTL Transportation
    Schneider Bulk

    Trimac is good because if you stay 2 yrs. + qualify for their elite fleet, then you're in the $100K pay bracket.

    Coastal Transport and Bay & Bay also hire new CDL grads for tankers, but I don't think they hire in your area.

    Get started now; Google for nearest TWIC office. Get that process started even before CDL school.
    Scroll to the top of this page and study "CDL Practice Tests" and be ahead of the game when CDL school starts.
     
    Chinatown, Jan 11, 2015
    Chinatown, Jan 11, 2015
    #3
  5. Jan 11, 2015 #4
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    TWIC card : needed for entering sea ports, military bases, chemical plants. Hazmat/tanker companies will require this.
     
    Chinatown, Jan 11, 2015
    Chinatown, Jan 11, 2015
    #4
  7. Jan 11, 2015 #5
    The Mariachi

    The Mariachi Bobtail Member

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    Jan 10, 2015
    New Albany, Indiana
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    Rev. Haynes...Thanks for the information! My brother-in-law mentioned to me to be careful with the leasing programs of any trucking company. My focus would be solo once I get through the training.

    Chinatown...I appreciate all of the information you shared. Are all of the schools that the trucking companies have 160 hours? Stephens Transport, CR England, and Swift for example are all companies that have schools for new students in which the students pay the loan back by working for the company for a year.

    The tanker/hazmat issue. Showing my ignorance here but how would I go about getting endorsed in those areas? Pass a test before going to CDL training camp with a trucking company?

    I already have my passport and TWIC. My TWIC is good until June 2017. I got it because a friend of mine used to work for the Seafarers International Union (SIU) and it was required, along with the MMC. I had no plans to get into the SIU, but he told me the TWIC would be good for security guard work and OTR trucking.

    I already looked into the CDL practice tests and will be studying them more before going to school.

    Thanks again, Chinatown!
     
    The Mariachi, Jan 11, 2015
    The Mariachi, Jan 11, 2015
    #5
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  8. Jan 11, 2015 #6
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    The endorsements you test for when you test for your CDL permit at the DMV.

    Do you plan to attend a trucking company school or a private/community college school?
    If you want to start right in to hazmat/tankers then attend a private/community college school.

    If you want trucking company school then attend a good one such as :

    Midwest-coast Transport
    Roehl Transport
    Maverick Transportation
    Con-way Freight
    Central Refrigerated
    Millis Transfer (runs Eastern half of USA)
     
    Chinatown, Jan 11, 2015
    Chinatown, Jan 11, 2015
    #6
  9. Jan 12, 2015 #7
    The Mariachi

    The Mariachi Bobtail Member

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    Jan 10, 2015
    New Albany, Indiana
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    Thanks Chinatown. I was thinking about doing the truck company route since there isn't much money due upfront. Thanks for the list!
     
    The Mariachi, Jan 12, 2015
    The Mariachi, Jan 12, 2015
    #7
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  10. Jan 12, 2015 #8
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Unless there's a recent policy change, Roehl and Millis want $500 fee to get started.

    Celadon in Indianapolis if free plus free room and meals. Same with Southern Refrigerated Transport.
    Only problem with Celadon is you must run teams for 6 months after graduation; that's my understanding.
     
    Chinatown, Jan 12, 2015
    Chinatown, Jan 12, 2015
    #8
    The Mariachi Thanks this.
  11. Jan 14, 2015 #9
    The Mariachi

    The Mariachi Bobtail Member

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    Jan 10, 2015
    New Albany, Indiana
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    I could handle the $500 bucks. I'll look into Celadon as well since Indianapolis is about a three hour drive from southern Indiana.

    Six months running team doesn't sound so well but then again I won't complain.
     
    The Mariachi, Jan 14, 2015
    The Mariachi, Jan 14, 2015
    #9
  12. Jan 15, 2015 #10
    andytalllurch

    andytalllurch Light Load Member

    96
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    Jan 15, 2015
    Atlanta, Ga
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    tanker is a written test for the endorsement on you cdl. I know for he hazmat the process is a little more drawn out and you need to get finger printed in order to get it. Alsom a written test for the endorsement
     
    andytalllurch, Jan 15, 2015
    andytalllurch, Jan 15, 2015
    #10
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