Is it possible...?

Greetings all... I am very well new to the world of trucking but have had several experiences revolving around tractor trailers on the job and off. I've driven Big box trucks for companies but have yet to get my feet wet with a big rig! I am at the point in my life were life on the road permits me a golden opportunity to go new places and experience the world and the beauty the open road has to offer from the driver seat. This is a long time dream of mine and im finally attempting to get a 3:00 9:00 grip on that great steering wheel of following my dreams!. I've had many obstacles to overcome and as of current the only thing standing in my way now is not having my Georgia drivers license long enough to qualify for on the job training. I've passed all my endorsement test with flying colors yet time is just not on my side. My question to anyone capable of pointing me in the right direction is, is there any trucking companies out there that one may know of that is willing to give a young man like my self that opportunity I desperately need to continue on the right road in life. Any and all comments are welcomed and much appreciated... please and thank you!

 

Welcome!!!!

So others can help answer the questions you have, It might require some more input on your part. I assume you have your class A or trying to get it, How long have you had it? Did you have your class B before? I do see that you have your endorsements! That's a plus!! I would elaborate some more so other members can try and point you in the right direction.

 

Driving box trucks would tell me he has a Class B, and (maybe I'm reading into this) he is under 21, which makes getting on long haul an issue.

But you are correct....we would need more info than has been offered:
1. Age
2. Obstacles(?) what kind(?) if convictions what level and what crime?
3. License long enough????

 

I was thinking that too, but some box trucks are class c truck and don't require a CDL to operate. I remember at McCollister's, some of the other Life Fitness guy that would come to Texas and help drive; we would have to rent them a Class C truck from penske because of that issue.

 

I don't understand the not having a license long enough part. But I don't live in GA. Not sure how old you are. I think 22 or 23 is the magic number for most companies to hire you. It sounds like you don't have a CDL yet.

There are plenty of places that will hire you and train. And there are a few ways to go about it. The first way and the one most people agree is the best way is to save your money up and go to a private training school. Then look for a company to hire you. CDL schools are expensive but it gives you more options on who you can work for. Which sometimes means you can land a better job. Do your research on companies here. Lots of useful information and most of your questions can be answered about the bigger companies.

Your next option is to go to a company sponsored training program. There's a handful of companies that will put you through school either for free or you pay through payroll deductions over a period of time. These companies will require you to work usually a year or more for them in order to pay for schooling. A lot of people on here have become truckers this way. The downfalls are that you are stuck with them until your loan is paid off. Most training companies are big companies so there is more of a chance you will become a truck number instead of a person. Also they are known for thier low pay. But not all are.

Anyway you look at it, get a year under your belt wherever you can. Don't worry so much about the money during the first year. Some will make good money but most will just get by. After a year you are golden boy and can consider yourself a super trucker. This comes with many benefits. It gives you the right to talk bad about the newbies at the truck stop. And it also opens up where you can wotk. It will be much easier to get a good job.

Do your research. I can tell by the way your post was that you think it's going to be a lot more glamorous than it is. Sure you are going to cool cities but most of the time you will be sitting behind some warehouse next to the dumpster. There's not many places you can park a big truck in the cool places. I'm still a wannabe myself. But I've done years of research. I came to the conclusion that trucking is nothing like I thought it would be. If you like seeing your family that could be a problem. Most truckers in there first year have to go over the road. This usually means being away from home for 2,3,4 weeks at a time. And from what I understand it's probably going to be closer to 3-4 weeks. And most places will give you one day off for every week out on the road. But they also usually have a cap on that of 3 days home at a time.

So again, research, research, research. Know what you are getting yourself into. Have a clean driving record and criminal record. And be able to pass a DOT physical and drug screen along with a hair drug test for some companies. Companies will check all of these things very carefully. Don't lie to them because they will find out. Certain things can disqualify you forever.

Some companies that train are:

Millis, good money from what I hear and I believe they train in your state. They would be my first choice for training.

Swift
Rhoel
FFE
USA
PAM
Central refrigerated (I think they have a school)
CR england (everyone will tell you to run from them)

And there's more but I just got done shoveling snow so I can't think right now. Read the "motor carriers inside scoop" section and that will tell you more that train.

Tell us a little more about exactly what you are looking for and more info about yourself and it will make it easier for people on here to lead you in the right direction. Look up the member on here named chinatown. He will give you good lists of companies to look at for your needs.

You made a good first step by coming on here. Lots of good info and good people on here.

 

For the fire department (prior life) we had to have Commercial Class B, due to the tank endorsement and air brakes. I will assume GA is the same, don't know as I never lived there....and don't intend to! they have those wicke ice storms and get 2 inches of snow stopping all traffic....I'll stay out here in the west and run on "feet" of snow!!

 

I assume he means not enough experience and doesn't want to go with a large company...maybe.

 

Thanks for the reply... To answer your question, no I do not have my cdl license as of yet I just recently received my general knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles and doubles & triples endorsements.
I also have my Dot medical examiners certification. This is all I have!

 

Thanks for the insight and the references! A bit more about myself... Well as I stated in my last reply, I have just acquired my general knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles and doubles & triples endorsements, as well I have my medical examiners certification. The issue with my drivers license is that I just moved to Ga. from Connecticut alittle over a year ago and I just got my Ga drivers license a little over 3 months ago. In 2009 my license was suspended for unpaid parking tickets. No dui's .... No major traffic violations! Before I moved here I paid the tickets that I didnt know about and got my Ct. license back to full restored status. I didnt have the money to pay for my Ct license at the time so I didnt get one. Soon after I moved to Georgia. I didnt have a car nor a job so some time passed before I could acquire any of those. However the issue that I am finding that when I attempt to get into a school that is willing to train me on the job every one i look into says that I have to have a valid license for atleast the past year. The shortest I've read was eight months. At this point Im not too concerned with being on the road all the time. I'd rather be on the road working and learning then being homeless. Im not a glamour guy nor am I shy when it comes to working hard and long hrs. I respect what you are saying though and it is recognized. The only thing I feel worried about is the fact that 17 years ago I was 18 years old and wound up in prison for 8 years. Yes I am a 1 time felon. first time and last time! I was released in 2005 and have struggled to maintain steady employment because of the felony conviction. I was convicted of Perjury, Tampering w/ Evidence and Hindering Prosecution. Not to get too too deep... but a friend of mine shot someone and I was around when it happened. When questioned about it on the stand I lied about what I saw and served time for it. What can I say but I was young misguided and dumb. But like I said I was 18 years old then and Im 35 years old now with a 6 year old daughter. Any how I've never been in trouble since. The only trouble I have is a company judging my work ethic based on something that happened 17 years ago. At this point I know i'm not the only guy with a record whose made it as a truck driver, I've heard and seen several scenarios where some felon's have succeeded and that gives me hope to know that I will be one of them. So thanks a million once again for all you guys help and concern in my situation. Please continue to feel free to share your advice, its much appreciated. Thanks again all of you!

 

Thanks for the Insight, I think that we have all done some dumb when we were young. I know I sure have!! I have no doubt that you will succeeded in this industry. I for say can't tell you anything about company's like Swift, Steven, and CR England. I have never worked for them. I've heard horror stories, but you know how that goes. I would worry about the tickets you paid. Even though you paid them and you got them way back then. They became convictions the day you paid them. This could hurt your chance and make you wait even longer. I hope not but best to be prepared just in case. Now if you go with any of these companies, I have notice that one thing is universal with them all. Stay there long enough to get the experience you need and then find something better. I was thing of something in your area that I thought would work, but I don't want to set you up for failure. Have you tried the community college in your area, do they have anything?