Newbie Questions, Please Help.

Hello Everyone,

First off I've got tons of question so i figured id save some time and make one post with all of them. We'll I'm been looking into getting my class a cdl license for awhile, but after a long time of talking it over with my fiance ive decided not to get the class a but instead get the class b license, mostly because of time i would have to spend away from my family as a otr truck driver. As for questions i hope you guys can help:

1. What kind of jobs are avialable to drivers with only a class b? I was looking to go into driving motorcoachs or some other type of high occupantcy driving job.

2. Of the Jobs that are available to a class b what would you recommend?

3. What are some good companies to work for? Ive been looking at greyhound mostly because they provide free training, but im sure theres a catch.

4. Probly most important when i go for my DOT physical will the employer be looking at what medications im on? Will psyciatric medication disqualify me from driving jobs?

Anything you could help me with would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks

I'm sure there will be plenty more questions.

 

im a newb but I will put in my newb 2 cents.


1. School Bus, medical patient transport, charter bus, dump truck, straight truck, small flatbed mainly used for construction companys. Roll off dumpster collector for trash sanitation.

2. I dont have any experience with a class b but I would look into dump truck work. Most pay hourly and around here they start out at $14 and go up.

 

be an issue. I'm no expert or anything . Just a heads up that it might be a problem. Yes they will definitely want to know what medications you're on. It's a D.O.T requirement. It's also a safety issue.

 

Drive a bus for a while and you really will NEED those meds!

What I like about freight:

1) It don't complain.

2) It don't need a shower.

3) It don't fart.

4) It don't try to talk to you while you are driving.

6) It don't argue with other freight.

7) It don't come on board with any type of weapons to use against you, or other freight.:smt068


8) It ain't crazy when it gets on your truck.:smt101

9) It ain't gonna have sex across the back seat.

10) It won't expect you to tell it where to transfer to another bus.:smt102

I could go on here, but you get the idea.

I drove city bus in Denver for about a year, many many years ago.

That is where I learned to LOVE hauling freight instead!

 

Gotta love those smilies...lol!

 

Check into cement hauling.

While it is seasonal for the most part, you can make some good money if you get with the right company. IE lots of overtime.

Many of the larger ones haul for highway construction projects. So they run trucks 24 hours a day while the project is actually working.

 

LoL great post Big Don. Thanks for your imput guys, keep 'em coming. I can deffinetly understand the cons of transporting people. Im just trying to compare the pros and cons of class a vs. b. What i really want is something that won't break the bank to get started and provides me with some real options. Im trying to support a 2 yr old and fiance with trying to stay as close to home as possible, or with the least amount of away time, being gone for a week+ plus just won't work for me right now. Don't get me wrong i would love to go work for schnieder or something and get paid training, but then agian id be locked into the company.

Has anyone on here had any experience with NETTTS in Somers, CT? If i have to pay for training that would most likely be where i would be going.

Any class A or B drivers around CT? Who are you working for? pros and cons?

Thanks
Steve

 

dont forget box truck, check garelic farms i'm told they're a great company. You could also look into uniform companies, cintas, first uniform etc.

 

Greentrucker,there are a few schools in CT, also check trade schools and colleges. Should get a better price.

 

You might be better off to go ahead and get your Class A. If you can find a driving school through a Community College, or and Applied Technical School it won't cost an arm and a leg.

Then once you have the Class A you can decide what you want to do. You are limiting yourself by getting a Class B as that will then be the highest level of driving you can do. If you get the Class A you can still drive a B Class vehicle.