Need some newbee Advice in AZ

http://www.sageschools.com/sage-locations.htm#Kingman

 

Well, seeing as I have been asking for some input myself lately and finding it hard to get any, I thought I would chime in and try to lend a hand. Let me ask you a few questions first though if that's OK.

Why are you considering trucking as a career?

What kind of experience with or knowledge of the industry do you already have?

Do you have a family, young kids, a wife, etc?

Have you looked into financing your education or are you hoping to earn while you learn?

Hows your driving record?

How old are you? It's pertinent.

There are some companies out there who will be happy to train you and get you started in this business but you might find that you have more flexibility by going to a trucking school as far as employment is concerned. There are companies that have their own schools, and there are companies that will train you after you graduate from a school. There are also community colleges that offer commercial driving courses. My recommendation is that whatever school you attend, it should be certified by PTDI, though this is not a guarantee that it is a quality institution. Do your research, as one school in a certain area may be far superior to a school in another area even though they are owned and operated by the same national or regional chain. Also, should you choose to hook up with a company that has it's own school and things don't work out, they can make it difficult for you moving forward, it's something to consider.

I've worked as an instructor for a truck school and took a personal interest in my students, doing my best to properly educate them so that they could have long, safe, productive careers. But frankly, many instructors aren't worth the salt used on a dry highway, and they couldn't care less if you make it past your first week behind the wheel, as long as they get you through your training and out the door.

Trucking isn't for everyone. Be sure you really want to do this, and even then it doesn't hurt to have a back up plan. If you still want to pursue a career in this industry, be prepared to work long hours, in dangerous and stressful conditions, far away for weeks at a time from friends and family. This can be a rewarding career, but it comes at a cost and not everyone is willing to endure everything that goes with a life behind the wheel.

 

If you are serious that this is a career, then don't rush out and go into serious debt for a Commercial school. Take your time. Go to Glendale Community College. It's the same course as you will get at the ones that will cost you many thousands of dollars in a short term high interest loan, or several thousand in student loans. GCC is very reasonable, though I can't tell youabout the quality of their instructors. It does take a little longer to get your CDL. Then if you have a family, consider NOT going OTR but doing CDL work locally, or if you do OTR and don't like it, don't just quit. Do it long enough to get experience so you can come back and do local driving. OTR can be great for some people, but definitely not most people. Local work is harder to find, but can be better to have for many people. You could do 6 months to a year with an OTR that will train you and come back to run something local, or you may find that you love only seeing your family once a month or so. For some, OTR is great, and gets financially rewarding, eventually.

Even IF you get through your training cycle with a big carrier, It's not a job for everyone. Forget anything like "being paid well" for your first year OTR. It will be adequate at best, except under rare and unusual circumstances.

Company Recruiters do NOT have YOUR interests in mind for the most part. Listen carefully, then discard most of what you hear from most of them. There are a FEW starter companies (CRF, W-S, to name two) that you could do well with, and a LOT that can be really tough on you and your "new career". Do as much research here as you can while you go to school at GCC.

 

I was a lot younger than you when I hit the road, but our situations are very similar. I'm a Kentucky boy at heart but I grew up right there in Phoenix. I wish I had some local knowledge to share but I haven't lived there in the valley for quite some time. I did however read JahB's post and I agree with just about 100% of what he told you.

If you can afford to take the time to go the community college route then it would most likely be best. You know your financial situation better than we do. Once you have finished school you shouldn't have a problem finding a local job, but then again these are tough times and I don't know how Phoenix is holding up in this economy. Do plenty of research like JahB said, be patient and do not settle. There are some great jobs for a guy with a good driving record and a little experience, it's an excellent career choice if you are serious about being the best at what you do. It may be necessary to gain your experience OTR, if you have a good woman at home it will fly by.

Along those family lines. A good woman that you can trust will make your life a lot easier if you are an OTR driver, it may even turn out to be a better thing for both of you, lots of couples have made it work. But, and this is a big one. Kids are a totally different story. If you have kids or are planning to, do yourself and them a big favor and stay off the road. It's one thing to take a year to get some experience, it's quite another to be away from your children on a regular basis. This is just my opinion so take it for what it's worth. I have five kids and they suffered the most over my career. I'll never get those years back, my kids will never get those years back and the damage done by not having a Dad around full time just can't be quantified. If you are a praying man, pray long and hard about any decision that keeps you away from your family for longer than what is absolutely necessary.

Not much else I can add. I hope things work out well for you and do keep us posted. God Bless.

 

This has got to be one of the best descriptions I have seen on these forums. AMEN!