I've heard some things need advice

I sure hope he was kidding!

1) There are plenty of jobs out there for 21 yr old drivers!

2) Trucking School Range From $700-$10,000
a) Community Colleges are your best option for GOOD training for a Good price, between $700-$3500
b) Private trucking schools are your second best option, the training is not quite as good as a CC but it'll still get you a CDL and a JOB, and they are Between $2500-$10,000
c) Company Training- Should be your last resort, if you complete your contract with the company that trains you, you shouldn't owe them a thing. This option is between $2500-$10,000 (if you should decide to pay out of pocket or NOT full fill your contract). I don't recommend this option because you STUCK with that company for how ever long of a contract they make you sign, so if you decide trucking isn't for you, decide you don't like that company, or get fired you WILL OWE them for your training!

3) You should be making more then $400 every three weeks, if not your doing something VERY wrong. If you go OTR out of school expect between $26,000-$35,000 your first year. Do your research and choose a good company to start with and you'll be fine.


Good Luck!


American Trucker

 

You should be making more than $400 a week, after taxes and expenses. Why even roll out of the sleeper for less? You don't really need school either. Just keep your eyes and ears open and learn.

 

Look folks, it will help y'all lots if you stop thinking of trucking as just a job and think of it as a trade like becoming an electrician, plumber, etc.

As in any trade you do a term of "apprenticeship" where you "learn the ropes" and polish your skills. You'll do the more "menial" jobs for less money at first and work your way up.

Like any trade, work will vary from place to place, time of year,etc, etc. At 21 it's harder because of insurance regs and the like, including your ability to be "bonded". At 21 you may find it necessary to be restricted to Intra-state (running within the borders of your particular state) rather than Inter-state. Don't let that bother you; in terms of money you can often make as much running that way and it's easier on the head.

 

theres no reason for a 21 year old driver to Have to stay Intra-state, Yes there are companies that wont hire you till your 23 or 25, but there are PLENTY of companies that hire at 21.



American Trucker

 

He didn't say he had to run intrastate but may be required by some companies that even hire him. It's different now days with so many older perfect drivers looking for work. You could do some good if you list the companies that hire at 21.

 

Companies that hire at 21:

KLLM
Watkins Shepard
MAY
Prime
Roehl
Stevens Transport
Central Refrigerated
Knight
Werner
Melton
GTI
Schneider

Addition: \/

Millis (if you go threw there school) or you need 1yr OTR Experiance.
WSE

Theres more but those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.


American Trucker

 

Another 3 months or so, they'll have jobs. And close to 1/4 million not so perfect drivers will be flipping burgers.

Newbs are anxiously awaiting CSA 2010. As are some of us older perfect record drivers.