Potential driver from OR, have a few questions (especially for IITR grads)

Hi everyone. I've been a diesel mechanic (Dodge/Cummins) for 12 years and the money is getting worse and worse so I'm trying to decide whether or not to jump into trucking, I've always thought I would love the job but there are too many unanswered questions before I make the leap.

First of all, I have a wife and 2 young children (9months and 3.5) so going OTR is absolutely out of the question, I know that complicates things but I'm hoping I can get around it with some perseverence.

I'm thinking of attending IITR truck school in Clackamas, OR. I've been talking to the job placement director there and she seems to think that there quite a few companies around my area that are willing to hire new drivers (out of school) for local routes. I'm pretty skeptical of this claim and am looking for someone who is knowledgeable of the local trucking economy and is not affiliated with the school to give me the real scoop. If I could make $30-35k to start, I could make that work. I'm also not opposed to working for companies like bud, pepsi, coke as a delivery driver. I just don't want to get out of school and find the only realistic option is to go OTR. This school will run me close to $6,000 after the DMV stuff so I want to make sure I'm making an informed decision. Thanks in advance.

 

It's wise to be skeptical, but those jobs are there, just not as plentiful as OTR. Also take a look at trans-system website to see if they have some local or regional tanker work in your area. Another CDL school to check is Drivers Training School and ask about their costs and job placement. Get your tanker/hazmat endorsements plus TWIC which will allow access to chemical plants & seaports. Check Careerbuilder website also for local jobs. Food service jobs pay well and usually home most every night; there are plenty of those companies. One is Greatwide which sometimes haul grocery loads from a grocery warehouse to grocery stores. Food service companies that deliver to fast food, pizza parlors, etc. pay good also. Maybe U.S. Food Service has something in your area. Ask at your local grocery store which trucking company delivers their grocery loads. Best wishes.

 

it can often times be hard for a new driver to get good paying local job fresh out of school,companies like bud,pepsi,coke are very hard to get into.trucking is not an easy life,and many new drivers struggle and end up leaving.not being from OR I don't know local jobs in your area,if it's anything like MI OTR will be the best bet for money and may be your only bet for experience to get that good payin local gig. Good Luck

 

In my honest opinion anyone with a skilled trade such as a diesel mechanic should NEVER trade down to driving a truck. Go to another school, get into another position but with the investment you already probably have in just tools and if you have certified training and can prove you are a diesel mechanic.. you'd be rather foolish to get out of that to become a truck driver.. just my two cents.

 

It's not necessarily a trade down. Wages for mechanics have been rather stagnant. I was a mechanic, though rather specialized, in my previous career, and at least in my area, wages haven't increased much in two decades. I made almost 25/hr flat rate when I left 15 years ago - and my actual hourly was over 20. I see dealerships offering hourly of 20 to 25 for experienced mechanics these days. As the OP says, the money's not getting better. I've seen regionals around the pacific northwest advertise up to .50/mi for what I think may be dedicated run ( but they're not saying, so who knows? ). I got tired of life as a mechanic... exposure to solvents, oil, grease and grime, aching back and neck, standing and walking on concrete for 8 hours daily...

I have a friend who left the same place to be a janitor... and he's much happier now. It isn't a life for everyone.

 

Amen brother!! I make $25/flat hr, but based on hours flagged I'm making closer to $13/hr straight time. The industry needs a serious overhaul, until that happens, the pay will continue getting worse. The warranty's are longer, the cars are better, the service intervals are further apart......there is little money to be made in this business any more.

Thanks for all the replies, keep 'em comin'!!

 

You boys really need to see what the average wage for truckers are when you start adding up the TIME involved compared to the actual take home pay... but like I said, it's my 2 cents. if you think that on average the average new drivers makes anywhere near 20 and hour let alone the time gone from home, running two household and (if parents) making the other parent a single parent...

 

It is harder to get local work, but possible. One recent post said the driver went to the local companies in person and applied, and did get work. You might not get to the top pay scale immediately, but don't give up until the last dog is hung. And, Fozzy has a good point about having a trade already, and starting over at the bottom of a new trade. What about a better line of work in the mechanic line? 12 years, you must have a lot to offer an employer, or even self employed?

 

again, thanks guys!

I'm entertaining the option of switching shops, I've been there done that before, sometimes it works.....sometimes, not so much.

The local trucking gig usually offers an hourly wage (from my research that is), that's what I'm really looking for, a more dependable paycheck, something I can count on from month to month, it doesn't really have to be at the hourly rate I'm making now.

 

trucking has up and down times,when it's slow it real slow,not trying to say it's not good out here,im in a great position with really good money but don't want you to coming in under false pretense.