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Looking for ideas

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by grizwald, Mar 18, 2013.

  1. Mar 18, 2013 #1
    grizwald

    grizwald Bobtail Member

    9
    2
    Dec 26, 2011
    hampton roads va
    0
    Good afternoon all,

    My names Seth I'm currently active duty in the Coast Guard ( insert puddle pirates joke here Navy guys lol). i live in NC about an 45 minutes from Hampton roads VA.
    I Currently have three years left on my enlistment i "Plan on getting out" but staying in the reserves and finishing my time. I'm currently working to complete an associates in business. (once tuition assistance gets started back up). I know most people will say stay in and complete 20, retire collect a paycheck and benefits forever etc etc.. It's not that that option isn't possible or a great idea i just like having back up plans. the way the government is i want a back up plan i can get right into.

    I have been following on these forums for a while now and have learned a lot and i truly appreciative of all the knowledge and ideas that have been brought its helped me get a broad picture of the job.

    i have researched companies and i have spent some time reading as much as possible watched many youtube videos about trucking etc.

    i was looking for some advice on ideas to help me get a better view and what you did before you went to school or a company to prepare.

    I understand the whole not making any money at the beginning etc.. when and if i were to get out i only need less then $2000 a month to pay my bills and feed the family so that's covered for the most part.


    Any ideas are appreciated and anyone who can suggest a forum to read or any websites..

    thanks again for you time and thank you for keeping this country moving.


    Seth
     
    grizwald, Mar 18, 2013
    grizwald, Mar 18, 2013
    #1
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  3. Mar 18, 2013 #2
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    74,991
    170,956
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    One of my ex-dispatchers has a set of twin sons in the Coast Guard. Smart move with the backup plan. There's many ex-Coasties and Navy on here, including me(Navy). Don't settle for $2000.00 a month as a trucker. Go for the $55K - $70K plus annual driving jobs. The best pay for local or OTR is tanker hazmat. Work on getting all the endorsements plus a TWIC(which you may already have) and a passport. The passport is for runs going into Canada. The Careerbuilder website is good for jobs in your area or the area you plan to live in after discharge. Truckstops have free magazines and newspapers related to the trucking world. I'll give you a list of some tanker companies to research.
     
    Chinatown, Mar 18, 2013
    Chinatown, Mar 18, 2013
    #2
  4. Mar 18, 2013 #3
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    74,991
    170,956
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Clean Harbors
    Foodliner (3 divisions)
    trans-system
    Miller Transporters
    Thyssenkrupp Steel
    Tankstar
    A&R Transport
    Quality Distribution
    Indian River Transport
    CTL Transportation
    Tribe Transport (tanker division)
    Bulkmatic
    Superior-Carriers
    Pyles Transport
    Groendyke
    Prime (tanker division)Florida Rock & Tank Lines(terminals also in NC)
    Schneider ( tanker division)

    Trimac
    Here are some tanker companies to research.
     
    Chinatown, Mar 18, 2013
    Chinatown, Mar 18, 2013
    #3
  5. Mar 18, 2013 #4
    grizwald

    grizwald Bobtail Member

    9
    2
    Dec 26, 2011
    hampton roads va
    0
    Thanks Chinatown. I do not plan on settling for $2000 a month i would prefer to make more and give myself some leeway but if not possible at least i know what i can live on.

    Would it be a good idea to obtain my CDL and try to get a weekend job running for a farm, local job or is it better to wait till my end of enlistment is closer so no refresher required?

    thanks again!
     
    grizwald, Mar 18, 2013
    grizwald, Mar 18, 2013
    #4
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  7. Mar 18, 2013 #5
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    74,991
    170,956
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Get your CDL now & drive on weekends. When it's time for full time work, you will be prepared and ahead of the game for road test, pre-trip test. Look at the top of this page for a link to practice CDL tests.
     
    Chinatown, Mar 18, 2013
    Chinatown, Mar 18, 2013
    #5
  8. Mar 19, 2013 #6
    grizwald

    grizwald Bobtail Member

    9
    2
    Dec 26, 2011
    hampton roads va
    0
    again thank you chinatown. i wasn't sure everyone says you have to take a refresher etc but i figured if i had my military work background and a part time driving job it may work as long as i pass a road test.
     
    grizwald, Mar 19, 2013
    grizwald, Mar 19, 2013
    #6
  9. Mar 20, 2013 #7
    chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

    5,653
    3,485
    Jun 21, 2008
    Deland, FL
    0
    I saw that you mentioned you had a family. I assume that means wife and/or kids? I would highly suggest you go to an IT school or community college to further your education or possibly attend a trade school other than driving.

    Your chances of landing a local gig as a new driver are going to be rare, especially in today's economy and down here in the south if you were lucky to land a local gig it wouldn't pay hardly anything. With that being said, I wouldn't spend $6000 on school in hopes to drive locally. The chances are slim and the pay isn't worth it. So now you are left with driving over the road and driving over the road and family just don't mix. Despite what the recruiters (salesman) will tell you, the minimum time usually spent away from home as an over the road driver is about 6-8 weeks with 2-3 days off in between. This means you will miss birthdays, holidays, school events, funerals, etc... basically not be there while your kids are growing up and your wife is home alone. I did it, regret it and can never, ever get those days back again! Yes, I made a little bit of money (not much) but it surely wasn't worth it. Cost me a marriage too!

    You're in luck though. I assume you're young and still have your whole life ahead of you and if you act now you can establish yourself a pretty decent career doing something else that includes being with your family.
     
    chompi, Mar 20, 2013
    chompi, Mar 20, 2013
    #7
  10. Mar 25, 2013 #8
    grizwald

    grizwald Bobtail Member

    9
    2
    Dec 26, 2011
    hampton roads va
    0
    Chompi,

    Thanks for your reply while i agree IT is the way of the future i would never be able to work on them. I do agree that it maybe a better idea to go to a trade school, I just cant do that right now or if i were to get out of the CG. its hard to find a job where you can jump right into and get paid like trucking ( think thats why a lot of military get into it). I am currently working on finishing up my Associates in business right now with TA ( once they reinstate it)
    I know trucking isnt the greatest job in the world and it doesn't work so well with family, but neither does the military so its kinda like a rock and a hard place. do i stay in the military and go back to a boat and be gone for another 2 years out of 3 or do i get a job driving a truck and after a year try to get a job home every weekend? or try for a local job or farm job?

    Thanks again guys!
     
    grizwald, Mar 25, 2013
    grizwald, Mar 25, 2013
    #8
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