Starting Late in Life

R. E. West - Train with Us - R. E. West Transportation
This one; no contract to sign.
$5000 Sign-On Incentive for Military Veterans
We have a special incentive for any of our applicants who have served their country with honor. Over the course of your first year at R. E. West, we will pay you an extra $5000. This offer is extended to anyone who has served, regardless of time out of the service; the only qualification is the production of a copy of your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge.

 

CDL Training Program - Wilson Logistics
3769 E Evergreen St, Springfield, MO 65803

 

Prime Inc. Truck Driver Training | Paid Class-A CDL Training

 

This one is dry van, but I think you'll make a lot more money pulling reefers or flatbeds.
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Millis Training Institute - Announcing Our Free Apprenticeship Program
Eden, North Carolina

 

From Navigation to Fuel: Top 15 Apps for Truckers

Paid OTR Truck Driver Training | Get Real-World CDL Experience!

Explore CDL Truck Driving Jobs by State | Find a Job Near You

 

I see where your mind is at, and you're smarter than the average cookie.

It's been almost 20 years, but I sent her to CDL school at a cost of $3500 that allowed us to choose our own path, and not be locked in to the paid training that some companies offered.

We had a specific path in mind - so the upfront cash and time was well worth it, and we were streets ahead of others that opted to go to company sponsored training, locked in to an obligation.

May I Ask what the primary impetus is - income generation, or general 'trailer trucking, have fun' ?

 

@Nahbrown and his wife are relatively new at trucking and I think they haul some DOD stuff at times. Retired military.

 

I’m a retired Air Force SERE Specialist who has hung out with guys like you a few times in my past life.

My wife and I only haul sensitive/secure loads and many are explosives, but not all. It pays incredibly well.

long story short, to haul sensitive/secure loads , IF YOU HAVE A CLEARANCE ALREADY, you need 2 years experience OTR, 6 months flatbed and a clean commercial record. Many, but not all, companies will be eager to have you lease on with your own truck if you both have those minimum standards.

there are companies that will hire you as a company driver to haul DOD sensitive/secure loads and there are upsides and downsides to that.

We prefer owning our own truck and conestoga trailer.

I’ll dm you my phone #, feel free to call with questions. I always have time for a fellow vet.

 

Welcome aboard, and thank you for your service. Since you seem pretty focused, and we probably can't talk you into fishing with no bait, I think you could make an excellent candidate for a trucker. You certainly have the discipline of the military, something you may miss with the yahoos out there, but coming from where you've been, it could work out well. Be warned, trucking can put a huge strain on relationships, but many companies are compliant with companions, and while your axxes may get bigger, it's a great way to spend the "last lap" together. You WILL see America, and many times, not the America you may have envisioned.
I always say, forget the private schools, and go directly to the company you choose. They want you to succeed and will have a job waiting. Many times you can work off the schooling. We've heard nightmares stories of companies not taking some private schools, so do your homework. Personally, I'm from the Badger, and Millis would be my choice. Excellent company, and beer haulers got job security. The tickets shouldn't be an issue, you'd be surprised what comes through here looking for work Good luck, keep us posted, eh?