Hey its another new guy!!!

Hey everyone. Wanted to introduce myself and kinda let you all check out my game plan for the future.
As of right now I work for a oilfield company and am very happy where I'm at. But the work is drying up
around my neck of the woods. I hope to stay on doing what I do for the rest of my life. But I don't think that
is going to happen. I've had my Class B w/ hazmat for 12 years now. I drive a truck that carries explosives and sometimes i transport corrosives too.

I'm trying to plan ahead and be ready for anything that comes along. I feel that I will always have a job with the company I'm with but that job might require me to move to another state, I just can't do that. I can travel for work
all day long but can't move. I have a wife and 2 kids, 1 from a previous marriage. I do not have custody of her and do not want to give up what time I have with her already. I understand that going OTR might put me out when it comes to my time with her. But to me its better than having no chance if I move to another state. Also my wife has a good career where we live, and my son goes to a great school with great friends. I do not want to uproot them from this.

So this is my plan. I have been studying for my ClassA for a few weeks now, and will take the written part next week. I will have everything except doubles and triples. I just really don't want to do that, I dont know maybe I should. So after next week I'll have my Class A permit and will wait a few weeks to take the driving portion of the test.

I have talked to several recruiter from company's in the past week. I have talked to Swift, Schneider, Prime, Maverick, and a couple of recruiters from CDL schools. I'm not really interested in going to a CDL school, but its not out of the question. But If I did it would be when and if I lose my job in the oilfield. I don't see any con's to going to school as I have GI Bill and it would be all payed for. But would like to have CDL in a few weeks. And in my way of thinking why would I go to CDL School if I already have it. I know there is probably a lot to learn there but at the same time I can learn it from my trainer.

I really am leaning toward flatbed. It seems to be more challenging, and to be honest seems like it would suck at times. I've done things the hard way all my life and flatbed truckin seems to be the hard way. So as of right now I'm really thinking that I will sign on with Maverick of they will have me. But I don't see why they would. I've never had any violation in a CMV. And my last violation in a regular car was over 2 years ago, never anything major.

So really I'm just looking for advice. To sum it all up I plan on having my ClassA in less than a month. I don't have any OTR ClassA experience, but have 12years with ClassB. Am I going about this the right way? Also any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Oh I have my CB already and know how to use it. Isn't that half the battle? I'm getting a roger beep installed next week!!! OH YEAH!!!

 

I just looked into the TWIC and will be working on getting that as well. I already have a passport so think that might be a plus too. I want to make sure that when the companies look at my application they understand I'm serious about this and am looking to be a professional driver. This is not my last resort this is what I want to do.

 

If you will go back and read the post I said I was planning getting my permit and then taking the road test. I never in my wildest dreams thought I could go to Maverick with a permit. I had already talked to Maverick and told them the plan I had. Of course it was a recruiter talking to me but she thought I had a good plan. That is why I'm here to get as much input from as many sources as I can.

Also stated in my post was the fact that I have the GI Bill that I can use. A far as getting all my endorsements and Any other paperwork that might be needed, I'd rather have it and not need it than to miss a good paying gig because they needed me to have it right then.

So now that you told me that my plan wasn't good, that school is expensive, and that I didn't need my TWIC, or many endorsments. What in your opinion would be the best way to go.

So just to be clear on my plan. If I decided that I wanted to go to work for Maverick I would get my "real thing" CDL on my own or by going to a school. If I decided not to do flatbed I'm leaning toward a company sponcered school. The main thing is to cut down't time I would be without a paycheck.

Thanks for the reply I appreciate hearing from people that have been threw it already.

 

Thanks. I'm pretty sure Maverick will be the route I take. Have a lot of research to do before I make my decision.

 

Well I'm still going about this the wrong way but I took all my tests today and passed them.
there was a little drama at the DMV but hey nothing ever goes smooth there.

I went and got my test packet. Told the lady that I had my class B already and was wanting to take the tests for my class A with Hazmat and Tanker. She printed out what I needed. I payed, left the DMV and headed to the testing facility. When I got there I gave them my packet and my license. The girl there asked what I was needing to take. I told her what I was doing she said well why do you just have a packet for hazmat and tanker, I said because I'm wanting to get those as well as my class a. Well turns out the lady at the DMV only gave me the stuff I needed to add Hazmat and Tanker to my current license. Back to the DMV I go. I get the right packet this time but have to send the first packet off with an explanation to get my money back from the first packet.

So back to the testing facility, we got it right this time. Took all the test and passed with flying colors. I was a little nervous on the tankers part of the exam. Just took it slow, read everything carefully, and used common sense. So now I have my permits. I have to get fingerprinted for my hazmat and will be doing that tomorrow or Thursday. More than likely Thursday. The closest place to me only does them on Thursday but I will be close to OKC the next few days and there is a place there that does them all week. They said that would take a couple of weeks to clear.

So that's how my plan is going right now. Will update when there is more.