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After many years as a mechanic I am starting a career change into trucking.
Posted: 8 years, 4 months ago
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What did you do before becoming a truck driver?
Some people were chiming in on Laura T.'s "I hate Nursing" topic about what they did before they became interested in trucking. I put the question in the title for others to tell what they did "before".
I taught middle school math and science for eleven years. Finally I "had it" with both student attitude and administration pressure to get my students to pass the annual testing.
Also, rookie truckers make just about as much as rookie teachers do, without all that college!
So, what did you do in your "previous life"?
I was a mechanic before I entered trucking which helped because it was easier to go from a horrible job to just a bad job.lol
Posted: 8 years, 8 months ago
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Starting Company Training Next Week!
Finally got my start date for training. I start next week in Conyers, GA! I will be posting my experience starting from the first day on.
Posted: 8 years, 8 months ago
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As I plan for my second career, I continue to have a very strong desire to be a professional truck driver. However, I have a young family and struggle with a positive way I could negate the away time. I also have a strong desire to experience OTR and would need to get that "out of my system" before moving to a more family friendly routine. That said, as a happy medium, I have been thinking about getting trained as a diesel mechanic, getting my CDL, then working at a large truck service center. This might allow me to be a part of the industry in a way that is family friendly. Then when the time is right, I'll drive OTR. Any thoughts? Thanks.
I am just starting out in trucking after many years working as a mechanic. From my experience being a mechanic can not only get very boring over time, but it also is very hard on your body. The pay also varies greatly, Diesel tends to make more but it is harder on the body and the tools are very expensive. Diesel work is not easy everything is heavy and the exposure to toxic chemicals is higher. No job is fun but it just seems to me that truck driving or even holding a CDL is much more valuable over the long-term.
Posted: 8 years, 9 months ago
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I'm about to start my 3rd solo month with Roehl and have zero complaints about the company. They have been great to me since day 1. My issue is the lifestyle of this industry. I enjoy the challenges of this career and driving a big truck and I'm getting better at it everyday. unfortunately I do not enjoy all the things that also come with it. I miss going out with friends and family. I miss my girlfriend and my dog and being home. How do you guys cope with the lifestyle? I'm trying to adjust still and keep reminding myself I'll get more used to it, I'm finding it increasingly more difficult to keep a positive attitude. I greatly under estimated the lifestyle change I would experience. Any responses are greatly appreciated.
Thanks everyone, Joe
I just started the hiring process with Roehl and hope to start CDL training next week. I have the same worries that you do about being away from home for a long time.
Posted: 7 years, 7 months ago
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Need some advice on finding a job with a felony
I started with Roehl worked there for four months and after 1300 mile weeks I had to quit. I have been with PTL for almost 8 months now and love it here. They will hire you if you have a felony in your past and you will make great money during training and after training. Most of the trucks are new freightliner automatics. No forced dispatch to the northeast and a lot of runs to the west especially during training and if you drive team. I was ready to give up until I found them. Also very laid back good dispatchers that will not micromanage the he'll out of you. Good luck hope everything works out and congrats on your sobriety that is not an easy thing to overcome .