Jumping from academic world to trucking industry? Can it be done?

DOL is like any Government agency, pretty much clueless to the reality of things! If we are unskilled labor, why do we need a special license to operate the truck. On top of the special license, we need certain endorsements depend on what we haul, carry or pull... Just goes to show how lame and out of touch our Government has become.

 

Well, it's nice to know I'm not alone!!!, my credentials: B.A., J.D., multiple Securities and Insurance Industry licenses. Worked as an attorney for 6 years and a registered rep for 13. I'm 39, with a wife and a daughter and a career in an Industry that's gone completely off the rails. I actually considered getting my CDL before I got married but didn't pull the trigger (I do regret it), later on married into a trucking family (3 truckers in my wife's family). Thankfully, she has a good paying bank job that provides just about enough to pay the bills. My income has been going the wrong way the last 3 years so, late last year, I had a talk with her uncle and her cousin's only to find that " SURPRISE!!!" they were making more than I am, with no student loans to worry about!!!!. Now I'm at a private CDL school an still working in my old job, but I can't wait to make the jump to trucking. In my case, Intermodal in Chicago, maybe some regional runs but my main concern is being home every night for my kid. My plan is as follows, drive for a small local outfit moving containers for 6-7 months and then try to get a job with a big outfit (JB Hunt Intermodal is as of now my main choice) for about a year, then get my own truck and by then my wife's family should have their new company up and running, so I could sign on with them for short regional runs or make my own way. Eventually when I see the economy pick up, I'd get a couple of trucks and start my own gig...anyway thats probably 4-6 years down the line.

I must say, I've been reading these forums for about 7 months and it is amusing when experienced truckers somehow assume that 40 - 80K is chump change for guys working with a suit and tie...

Hell, I know over half my law school graduating class (1998 is making that or slightly more (most are between 50 and 90K with a few notable exceptions in the 120-150K range...and these are the ones still practicing law...

I also know some registered reps with over 30 years experience, who saw their income drop by 50-75% from '07-09....sad, but true...

I guess it helps to keep in mind it's all relative to where you sit!!!

 

You are not alone. I was a rep as well with my FINRA licenses. It seems that a degree is not what it used to be. A Degree = Debt (And lots of it!). I was making around 40k in California. I am looking to do a year in CA and then move to Galveston, TX area!

 

Well, my wife and I have gotten our expenses down to where I only need about 40K to be ok (pay the bills and put away a little), of course she'll be making more than me for a couple of years, but, hey, I really think longer term, this is the beginning of a good family business. As a rep I went from mid 100's to high 40's in the last 3 years, my book is shot, my clients don't want to invest and truthfully, I, myself have lost faith in this industry, so, I'm going to an industry that is essential...sooner or later the economy WILL turn, and by then I hope to know enough in trucking to understand what I don't know.....

 

To the OP, I assume from your first post that you are currently working on your master's? If you are more than 50% finished, why would you throw away all that time and effort, not to mention money? Finish the program first and then move to trucking or whatever.

Even if you are less than halfway, you should finish if you can afford to live on your teaching until the program is completed. It might be worth more a few years down the road than it is now. The trucks and the highways aren't going anywhere soon.

 

Hey Gunner710, same thought with me but I already did it. I'm back to visit my part time home in California waiting for the TSA to complete my background check for Haz, (I own a lot and a 32' fifth wheel at a beautiful rv resort here near Temecula. Put it up for sale; I won't get back here often enough to enjoy it.), but three weeks ago I relocated to Houston, took Tanker and Hazmat tests to upgrade my CDL, and had a good interview with a carrier I'd like to haul tanks for. Moving out of generally long term self employment, I am doing whatever it takes to get a good trucking job for the long term. And Houston is right smack dab in the middle of good truckin!

I wish you the best, Gunner!

 

Twicebit, That's what I heard about Houston. I guess you can do anything around there. I wanted to retire in a beach community in SoCal but with all the taxes, firearms regulations, and general liberal BS I have to get out of here! I am planning on saving every penny I can before I jump to Texas. Anyway you can tell me who picked you up in Texas?

I already know that cost of living will be less but wages can be around the same. I grew up in Central Texas and I would love my kids to see what the "real" world looks like and how money and the like do not matter. God, Family, Country and self are the order of my honor. I try hard but I see a different nation here in Cali. Good luck to you!

 

I can see why you want to live in Galveston, kinda like living in a So Cal beach community, you're surrounded by water there! Just a little more humidity!

I agree with you about the liberal BS and high state and local taxes! Good thing about TX, as you know, NO state income tax!

Do you haul tanks now, or are you a trucker? As far as wages for tankering, TX is really good! I couldn't find a local carrier to take me on tankering here in CA. I drove 5 years ago but am a newb again. Superior Carriers who has a Terminal in Pasadena (which is just about 40 miles from Galveston) said they'd bring me on, once I get my Haz endorsement, and assuming their background check of me comes out okay (it should). There are threads about Superior that it seems I've seen you posting on. wsyrob and rubberducky68 are drivers for them and have many posts about the company. If you haven't been, here's a good one: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...carriers/200023-superior-carriers-2013-a.html

With your Handle and your viewpoints of God, Family, Country and self being the order of your honor (I'm right there with you!), you sound like you're former military? Schneider has a good tanker division too! ethos, a Marine, is a Trainer for them and loves the company. He is a frequent poster here too. An example of his help can be found at: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...9-what-expect-your-trainer-bulk-division.html It sounds like Schneider is desperate for tanker drivers right now.

Though I haven't done it yet, from my research, I like tanking because its developing a skill. Its for more active drivers and pays more than van or reefer, generally, I believe, because of the work involved and hauling Haz loads. I like that tank trailers are only 48 foot long, generally, and have a lower profile than a box. They don't blow over in the wind, either.

 

I am still new, no experience whatsoever! Trying to work with CA EDD and VA so I can go to school keep my benefits from unemployment and get my CDL.

I was in the service. I was a GunnersMate in the Navy with two tours to Iraq and worked with Marines off the coast of Iraq. That feels like a lifetime ago now! I have a lot of respect for Ethos, he actually has given some amazingly great advice. I have a feeling a lot of truckers are vets. Seems like an honest mans career. Maybe Ethos can be my trainer?!

I did see Schneider recruiting tankers out of Houston area so that might be an option. My fear is that I will go there and not cut the mustard since I have no experience. I will have to read up more on tankers. I want an active driving job so tanking might be a great fit plus I heard that once you get some tanking experience under your belt that oil companies pay well. I know that the Houston area has a lot of refineries.

Let me know how it goes at Superior! Thanks for the information. Look forward to speaking to you more.

 

Thank you so very much for your service, soldier! Ethos is a good guy! Like you just expressed, I already asked him, if I end up with Schneider, if he'd be my Trainer!

As far as your fear in moving to TX and not cutting the mustard cause you have no experience, I think you can squash that fear. Superior only has certain CDL schools that they hire Entry Level Drivers from, and not any in California, so you probably wouldn't be able to get on with them. Schneider, however, takes entry level drivers with NO experience, but who have recently earned their CDL, all the time! If you do move to TX after earning your CDL in Cali, just don't let ANY time lapse between having earned your CDL, and applying with Schneider! If you do, and don't have actual driving experience to fill the gap between CDL school and applying to Schneider, they will require you to take a 40 hour Refresher Course. They will reimburse you for it after you come on and train with them and begin your driving career, but it will cost you approx $2400 out of pocket to take the course.

Answer for yourself these questions: Do you have a good driving record for a few years? I don't think you have a recent criminal past, at all, being WHO you are! Can you show 3 years of recent employment history? I understand you're unemployed now. But you're actively pursuing your future, correct? Would you be able to prove this pursuit? These are things that Schneider (SNBC: Schn Natl Bulk Carriers) will look at.

Oh, one more thing: SNBC has zero tanking positions in Cali! You could go "van" out of Fontana. Doesn't pay very well, but...


I believe you can do this, Gunner! God is with you and your family!