Passionate about driving & REFUSE to be enslaved via mega-carriers

Well look at it the other way first off someone comes right out of boot camp, would you say that if sent to war torn area that he would need to pay his dues before getting better watches Etc... Or does he just go over and start from the top.

2nd you may be willing to go through the paces cdl, orientation, training with trainer. But truth be told if you look at averages your first year driving a truck would be around 30-40k if your lucky to many what ifs to say for sure such as weather, dispatcher, loads, traffic, the list goes on and on.

 

You're still unwinding in your transition to civilian life. I've worked with guys for years and never known they are veterans until maybe a quiet chat over a meal at a truckstop or they let something slip. I knew a guy for a long time; he has no teeth & wears dentures. Found out he was a sniper with the 101st and another sniper got him. The round entered behind his left ear and exited his right jaw taking all his teeth. Two years in rehab learning how to talk and walk again. You would be surprised how many truckers out there have paid a heavy price. Sure there's the BSer & you'll see plenty of them, but that rough looking guy sitting next to you having coffee may be more than meets the eye.

 

First of all it's my ipad as I don't catch all the errors but sounds to me you need to stay away from trucking you asked for help and info and some of us try to think outside the box on things unless I missed it didn't see where you said in original posting that you would buy his truck so sorry if I'm not a mind reader.

It is seems to me you be better to go back to serving in the military. You want to be on the road buy yourself an rv

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...formation-center/154304-spelling-and-ttr.html

 

Oh, you're one of those veterans….

I know MY military service doesn't entitle me to any sort of special treatment…pray tell, what makes you so special?

 

I understand where you are coming from. And I agree, you can find a better job right away, it just takes a little more work to do. With this said, I also understand where some of the veteran drivers are coming from too. It's quite obvious by this post that combat, and/or driving in a combat situation is about as stressful as it gets. Make no mistake, trucking IS in it's own right, similar to combat with the goal of NOT killing the idiot 4-wheelers that cuts you off, pays no attention, eats... puts on makeup... and talk on a cell phone while driving. The only difference is, God forbid, something happens... it's almost always the truckers fault, no matter how ridiculous the claim.

Another interesting thing about trucking relating to combat is the mortality rate... Let's look at the numbers... Combat mortality rate in Iraq was 3.92 per 1000... Interestingly trucking is at 3.2... Airplane pilots, which includes Alaska is at 11.3... and the roofer rate is at 13.1. So it's almost as dangerous to get into trucking as it is to be in combat in Iraq... and it's a little over 3 times more dangerous to be a roofer, than it is to be in combat in Iraq. My point is not to downplay service to your country (thank you by the way)... but to understand where the experienced drivers are coming from in their remarks.

best of luck

 

I don't think anyone here is suggesting that you can't do the job well. But just like you wouldn't experienced truck drivers and make them a squad leader clearing id's, you shouldn't expect a trucking company to put an inexperienced driver in a truck and pay them top wages out of the gate. You are most likely very competent and able to perform the job great. But as someone who hired and fired for years, it's not what you say you can do, it's what you prove you can do. Just a little food for thought here. I know you are getting frustrated, however if I was an employer checking these forums for employees, you ranting about advice you don't agree with would be a red flag for me. My last comment is this. I too served in the army, in actual combat. But just because I was licensed to drive a duece and a half, a huummv and a tank commander on the M1A1,,doesn't mean I know how to keep a truck on an icy road in 60 mile an hr winds going across Wyoming. I think you'll find the trucking industry one of the most supportive places of the military and it's service members, provided you don't jump down their throat when you disagree with them.EDIT not sure what I said to be edited, but I was, so please excuse the run on sentences and grammatical errors I was left with =)

 

When I went in the military I took a job as a electronics technician working on the Hawk Missile System (24H) because I knew when I got out I would have a good job waiting for me. I applied to several places and not one place would give me a chance. That's when I did a career change. Military life is completely different than civilian life. It's sad but the two don't really intermix. Lately it has been getting a little better and some states are recognizing military experience. IL you just have to take the written test and they will give you your CDL within 90 days of discharge.

IN has the same thing. Go here and you don't even have to go to school.

http://www.in.gov/bmv/3123.htm


Then I would find a company like Averitt Express to get your start.
Others I know about, JB Hunt, CSX Intermodel, Penske, TMC, Schneider, Ryder, Conway, all have military programs. It's all in your mind. I could go to anyone of them companies and make money. One year from now you won't be at the same company. If one has a bad attitude they won't make money at the best company. The first company is a stepping stone. You are not going to make $50K your first year regardless what you do. Anyone can drive. You have to learn the regulations, logging, the highway system and all the shortcuts, all the restricted routes, how to deal with customers, dispatchers, truck stops, loading, securing, scaling, etc. You have more to learn than you think.

BNSF is hiring 5000 vets. With a CDL you can run around working on the lights or tracks or something. Train companies pay very well with excellent benefits.

Check out USA.gov and find civilian contractor and DoD jobs. I had a chance to go teach at Ft Lee but I didn't want to relocate.