Possible New Driver

I always respect your opinions GasHauler but I'm gonna play devils advocate for a minute. I quit college to start driving full time after 3 years of chemistry split between a small local college and Penn State main - on top of that, the girl I'm dating is a little older than me with two masters degrees and is a specialist in a Maryland school district and also does work on the side at retirement homes.

Of those I knew well at Penn State and stay in touch with, say around 20 people who I was in all the same chemistry, physics, and calculus classes with, exactly two are currently working in a field that their degree actually prepared them for. Neither come close to my income as an LTL line-haul driver. One started her own business and can blow me out of the water now but it has nothing to do with her degree. Many of the girls I know well from growing up with them, and the girl I've been with for a while now are teachers of some kind in good paying states like Pa, Md, Ct, NJ, and NY. Again, I'll make more by the 30'th pay check than they will all year without the student loans. A few weeks ago my girlfriend kinda called me out for working long hours at night and knows enough about where I'm at to ask why I don't bid days - explained the situation and although she would like to see more of me (not sure why..lol..) she understands why I do it now since we both believe you should make hay while the sun shines.

Had I stayed at Penn State, I would like to think I'd be doing something chemistry related, but I have a hard time believing I'd be anywhere near what I currently make. I suppose I'm an exception to a degree but there is no real reason why - every driver out there started with the same opportunities I did. I'll be 30 in December and couldn't have imagined a better situation for myself when I was in college.

Like I said, I always respect your opinions and at times I question why I drive (2 feet of snow on the road and I'm forced to go), but in the end I look at the bottom line and couldn't imagine doing anything else after 7 years at a good LTL company.

 

If a sales agent closed 50% of their sales calls a year management would be ecstatic. Too often the student's and parent's roles in student performance is overlooked. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. It takes actual work to fail out of school these days. If you show up, turn in most of the work, and take the tests you should get a passing grade by todays standards. Graduation rates have more to do with than the quality of teaching. Be careful about using things like test scores and graduation rates to judge the educational system. Administrators will simply find a way to influence the rates without changing the problem.

Does your figure of 177 working days a year include teacher inservice days? How about the mandatory continuing education classes that must be completed every year?

We all have to deal with stupidity in our jobs. No industry is immune from idiotic customers/bosses/coworkers/etc. In today's world teachers are being held more accountable for the 'results' that come out of the classroom but are given less control over the manner in which they teach and less authority to maintain discipline. Teaching has one of the highest turnover rates for jobs requiring a college degree. Most of the 'incompetents' are driven from the field pretty quickly, then one's that aren't are just like the morons that can cling to their jobs despite their constant screwups.

My point - don't judge what you don't know.

 

I turn 21 in September too, I got my Class A when I was 18 though. But to address your question, No you will not have a problem finding a job as long as your driving/criminal history are clean you should be just fine. Now only been 21 we do have a slightly smaller list of starter companies to choose from but there are still plenty.

Now I also think your plan of going to a private school and finishing up just in time to turn 21 and hit the road is great, In fact I'm doing the same thing, because I haven't driving a CMV in so long I have to go to school all over before I can go OTR for insurance BS.

And as soon as you start school you can start filling out Applications with companies so you can start driving right out of school.


Good Luck!



American Trucker

 

I was refering to hourly pay. I don't think you make $60 to $70 an hour with LTL. Remember they only work 9 months out of the year and actual work in the classroom is minimal. I made $23.50 and hour hauling gasoline back in 1998 and I believe that bets almost all LTL companies. Plus I brought in at least 20 grand in overtime and still only worked a 60 hour week. If you make more then you're an extreme rarity and should never leave that company.

 

Most of the "Starter Companies" will offer tuition reimbursment at a rate of $100.00 or so per month you stay with them. I believe that PDI has lifetime placment, I would check that end out with them. Good luck and keep us posted.