Yet another new guy

Hey there,

Just created an account here but have been reading for the last week or so. Its career change time and I thought I'd introduce myself here.

I've been a systems administrator, working in the technical field for the last 14 years or so. Recently I was employed by the legal surveying arm for a large engineering firm based in British Columbia. But due to a lack of work in my field, and not being willing to move the family I have decided to pursue the trucking career.

Next weekend I'll get my airbrakes ticket and class 1 learners, from there I will be looking at going to Columbia Training and taking the 104 hour greenhorn class 1 course. Its 30 days, mostly behind the wheel, as far as I am aware they come pretty highly reccomended, although the course in its entirety will be setting me back almost 10k.

Out of the gate I am looking at hopefully getting on locally, preferably with DCT Chambers or Arrow doing chip truck haul for the next couple of years. I see there is plenty of work in the patch, but my life / family is here in the interior and I'd rather not uproot myself just yet for a couple weeks at a time, but of course am fully willing to go where the money is.

I have some northern experience, used to live in northern alberta as a kid, as well in my 20's i spent some time in the patch on a seismic crew.

I really appreciate anyones input, direction or assistance.. this is a 180' career change for me, and before I throw down 10k I'd like to know its the right thing.

Cheers,
Onetrack.

 

Its 9630.00 + hst (12%) and the airbrakes is 175.00

The test cost is 15.00 for airbrakes and 60.00 for the class 1 drivers exam, including road test..

 

This is the course I'm thinking of.

http://www.tru.ca/trades/constudies/drivertraining/courses/class1greenhorn.html

 

Thanks for the greets everyone..

about the school.. well there is this greenhorn course that I am probably going to end up taking -

http://www.tru.ca/trades/constudies/drivertraining/courses/class1greenhorn.html
Thats 9630+ tax

The other ' recognized course ' is about 13,000.00 at Mountain Training Institute
And they have this ' earning your wheels ' course - its well recognized, but its about 7 hours away from me, and its 3 months long - so it would be a big difference between the 10k here in my hometown or heading out there and living in another town for 3 months.

The thing is, the MTI course is only 70 hours in a truck, 30 hours on a simulator and the rest is class time - the TRU one is 104 hours in a truck, 30 hours in a class. It would seem to me that although they could throw more things at you in a simulator, you're actually getting more behind the wheel time. Also TRU is 1 on 1 instructor training, MTI puts 3 guys in the truck....?

The other options would be Valley Driving School in Abbotsford which is about a 3 hour drive, and they have a course as short as 20 hours.

Needless to say, I called up some companies yesterday, and unless I head up to the oil patch, getting local work might be tough - companies have hired directly out of the school here locally, but its certainly not a sure thing.

At least here locally they offer job placement assistance for life once you graduate, thats something

Yes, its expensive, but here in BC there sure isn't much choice.