Looking for honest advice on the choices involved in this career path!!!!!

My name is Bryan and I am new to this site. I have just recently graduated from college, not trucking school, and received my BA's in Social Science/concentration in Education and Business. My plan is to achieve my second dream which is truck driving. I wanted to get the for year college degree over first because it takes the longest, but will pay the least. I plan to be dept free from student loans, house, new vehicle, and just comfortable when I start my main dream job coaching high school football. It is basically a retirement dream job because lets be honest the pay isn't great to live on. That's why I have turned to trucking, besides I have always loved to drive and want to see the country while getting debt free and everything else I want to be able to be comfortable and just about worry free and enjoy coaching. So, I need all the help and advice that creditable people on here may can possibly give me.

I have been researching many options to start my career as a truck driver. From company school CDL training to private school training. I'm not sure if I can still receive student financial aid for a private school because of my college use for student loans, but I may still can. I actually would really like to know which is better between the two and know they both have their plus and minuses. I am a more of a hands on learner than classroom to let everyone know if that helps. I have heard the ends and outs of both, but I just don't know which to believe. So far I have completed research on my own to 12 companies that include Swift, Werner, Stevens Transport, Prime Inc, Pam Transport, USA Truck, USX, C.R. England, Central Refrigerated, Crete, FFE, Roehl, and Drivers Solutions. I have only heard from Stevens, FFE, Central Refrigeration, and Driver Solutions. I think Driver Solutions is a private school though. The only private places in my area are Diesel Driving Academy in Shreveport, LA, Coastal in Monroe, LA, and a a certain college in Shreveport. I would prefer the more hands on and less classroom options. What do you think is the best choice for a starter in this field? Any information that can be given will be great. I just don't want to make a bad decision. Private or company in my situation? Which are the best company that offer the whole training process? I see that everyone has something nasty to say about all of them as well as good things. We all have opinions, but I am looking for the facts and the truth. I want the best training, best trucks, and highest pay possible for a starter and I do understand that you have to start from the bottom like any other field. Any help or advice and as much information as possible would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks to all that sincerely will reply
Bryan

 

I'd use your degree and be a teacher.

 

If you can go to a school other than the trucking company sponsored you would be better off, would not have to be under a contract to remain at a certain company. As for Companies the best to go to once you have your CDL's would be Crete Central Refrigerated, and some say Prime. I would throw in USA Truck was not bad and they do have a terminal in Shreveport, just they were low pay.

But no matter who you go to, go in with a Can do Attitude, follow their system in getting things done and it should work out for you. Most of who has problems do not follow the systems that are in place and it like throwing a wrench into the gears.

Good Luck

And for the ones who will say stay with the Degree he has, Teachers positions are getting cut all over. I know in my county they been cut in Half.

 

If you're going into for the money, don't.

 

Yes, if you can afford a private school or community college CDL school, go that route. Try to go to one that's no less than 160 hours. For the best money jobs, get the endorsements; tanker/hazmat, TWIC. Living in Louisiana, you're in an excellent area for tanker and flatbed jobs. If you do this, you can start this career making good money. Living in LA there's no excuse to make poverty wages in trucking; there's just too much going on along that long coastline to settle for chump change.

There's nothing wrong with trucking company CDL schools, but for your particular situation where you live, I would recommend private school for starting a career with tanker/hazmat or a top flatbed company.

 

Well, I plan to do that in the future. As for now, it would be a struggle because student loans are going to take half of a pay check that is not much of a pay check at all for teaching and coaching. My plan is half finished because I got that degree first that I will use later. Next is to pay off student loans doing another thing I love and that is driving and travel. It will pay student loans off way faster than teaching/coaching. That is something I plan to do after I get comfortable financially. I only got that degree first because of the length which is a little over 4 years and out of the way. I didn't pick that degree for the money, I picked it because I love it. You have to face the fax though because it is not going to pay those student loans and provide a comfortable life. Driving a truck is the best way to pay the loans off and get comfortable financially and then retire to coaching/teaching. You get my point?

 

Yes, I agree. Teaching positions are getting cut. My actual plan is to coach once my loans are paid off and I am comfortable in life as in house, vehicle, and stuff like that paid for. Thanks for your advice because I am actually leaning towards private school at Diesel Driving Academy. It is only 30 minutes away and 4 weeks long. Mostly hands on also. Some people don't get my plan. I guess people that say don't get into trucking, don't get into it for the money, and get a job in the field your degree is in just don't get it. Louisiana and the whole south is a hot bed in the trucking industry. Endless opportunity and stable. Whoever states that there is no money in it or don't do it for the money must not be from the south. Especially Louisiana. Thanks for your advice and not negative opinions. My dad actually said the private school route as well. Buy the way, not directed towards you, but you will know the ones directed to. I was raised in the trucking scene and my dad runs a company called Murphy Oil and they deal with truck drivers. I just wanted outside advice from other people especially trucking people. Thanks again!!!

 

First, I would like to say that I have been reading the forums on this site for a while. You are one of the ones that I respect on here. Chinatown, you seem like you really like to help and I can't recall any negative posts that you have ever wrote. They have all seemed helpful to others. I am leaning toward your advice and one other that was similar. You both said the same as my father. The private school is looking to be the route to go. You are so right about Louisiana and the whole south as well. Why do some people say don't go into the trucking career for the money or you want make money. I guess some people just don't research. Hot job to those people. Stable job to those people. You can make a lot of money to those people. I respect you and can tell you have 30+ years experience. The degree I got from college is actually for when I retire. Like I stated to another person on here, I was raised in the trucking business and my father is actually over Murphy Oil. I did actually want advice from other outside of my circle. He didn't drive OTR and was local until the torch was passed to him for the office. I wanted to hear from people like you that have been out there. Would like you to add me as a friend on here and keep in touch. I will try to add you as well because I think there is a lot more i can learn about this career from you. Thanks Chinatown!!!

 

I'll second the hazmat and tanker ( flatbed to, but it's not an endorcement) there is quite a bit in your area. Just google tanker companies in your area. Private is the way to go for school if possible. Schneider has a tanker division, though I don't know if they are in your area. They ( as a company) hire outa school, foot in the door, then transfer to tanker, if they don't start their.

 

I would use the degree first and then take time to learn what you want. Your degree won't offer you any advantage as a back up because concepts and theories will change and your education needs to be refreshed.

The best thing is maybe get involved with a trucking company on the management side that can offer you a place on the road later on.