Trying to make decision

All a company driver needs is a screw driver set, pliers, and basic sockets. You can find used tools cheap on craigslist. Oh and a good air pressure gauge for your tires which are about $20 at a truck stop.

 

@HeartHooves: I'm thinking along the same lines as you.

I don't have any CDL experience. I go to training on Feb 25th. I do have quite a bit of experience running businesses, which is what a person is doing if they are running their own rig.

Paperwork on your down-time. Calling a company to fix the truck at my own expense and getting stranded somewhere because there's nobody to help. These things go through my mind.

If I'm in the middle of nowhere and the electrical system fails and it's 10 degrees outside with snow everywhere. I really don't mind dyin' but I'm not fond of freezing to death. Maybe it's a good way to go, I've just never done it before.

I like the idea of not having to be at the mercy of a DAC report and deciding that if I have a few bucks saved up I can maybe go on a vacation. I don't know if the vacation thing is possible but I definitely need one.

What I was thinking of doing is getting a couple years in doing OTR then, like you, if I like it I'll just keep doing it and save money or get a LTL gig. Where I live they log like crazy and run chipper trucks.

I've been told by a few people that if I had a CDL I'd be driving for a local company the next morning. Their hurting around here for drivers apparently.

I've seen posts where a person got a decent used truck for $30k or so if paying cash.

I've lowered my expenses significantly. If I was making $30-$40k a year I may be able to save up the money to buy a truck after a couple years and own it outright. No payments.

Then I was thinking is that if I liked OTR, I could keep doing it but even though I'm a loner, I'm not much of a fast-food-eater.

Also, since I've never driven a vehicle weighing 80,000 pounds down a mountain in the snow with stupid people texting and eating their egg mc'muffins coming at me , a local job may be better for me in the long run. I'm not out to impress myself.

Anyway, I'm a pretty good saver so I figure if I could get my own rig and then run local or regional that it just might be alright.

I figure that I have to pay-my-dues first though, hence the 2 years OTR.

I've read about the hotshot / expedite driving but it sounds like Smokey and the Bandit. Not sure if I need more stress.

 

I quickly checked out NJ's Department of Labor & Workforce and they have some information regarding career training, grants, and financial assistance for career training on their website.

Here's the link if you'd like to check it out: http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/wfprep/wfprep_index.html

I hope this helps and good luck!

 

HeartHooves...sending you a Private Message (PM). I am not arecruiter but a lady driver. I am assuming you are female as I know very fewmen that like to crochet...lol

 

And a hammer!!!! You definitively need a hammer. They are useful as tire thumpers, making some minor forceful adjustments where needed and help you unlock your trailer brakes. Nice thick 3-4 ft "cheater" pipe is also recommended if you flatbed. I always had one back in the days. Also handy is a flashlight (either headlamp, traditional with led bulbs, or both). Aside from that, you really don't need to carry around a huge inventory of tools. At least not as a company driver.

 

yes there are jobs for newbies out there,there is so much negetivity out there it's not even funny,yes you can make good money driving the big rig,it does take time but it's there,reaaly depends on what you want to do, tanker,flatbed,dry box,reefer......