Profile For MAC

Thanks Old school, maybe indeed "his statement was devoid of reality", I'll be careful of trusting what I hear from working drivers from now on. I've just taken to heart some of the comments I've read on this sight about the value of speaking with real life, working drivers for advise on entering the profession.

But he claimed it has happened twice to him in his 13 years of driving, so now he always takes per diem when it offered.

An average of once every six years is more often than I would have thought, as I was under the impression that the industry was a solid place to work. Maybe he's just been unlucky.

I get the message that it is rare, and a lot more of a possibility when working for a small company, and probably non-existant when working for a major carrier.

That's why I love this forum, I can get my misimpressions of the job cleared up.

For what it's worth......

I was chatting up a driver the other day for advise and he suggested that if a company offers per diem pay then take it! But for a odd reason that I did not expect.

He said it is really annoying to be out on the road somewhere and suddenly get a phone call telling you that the trucking company that you work for has just gone out of business!

Then, apparently, sometimes you won't get paid for those last days that you drove since your last paycheck.

It seems to happen more often than you would think.

He said if you're getting per diem pay, at least you'll have a little something in your pocket to help you get thru that last week when you might not get a check.

Even though I'm a brand new member, I too can state that this site is indeed a fantastic learning tool and provides great usable information.

The high road cdl training, Bret's book, the various blogs and articles, the glossary, the company reviews, the ability to ask specific questions....it's all GOLD!

I don't even bother with other sites now.

I may not be posting much....but I'm a daily reader!

Thank you all, as this site is the single most important part of my researching the industry.

Hi Ryan, while company sponsored school is indeed a good option as you will probably have a job waiting for you, you usually will have to contract to stay with the company for a year. If you want the freedom to choose from any company to work for, with no year commitment, go with a private school, and do consider looking at your local community colleges' CDL program.

If I take the plunge, I'll be attending Aims Community College in Greeley Colorado.

The month long CDL school only costs $3500......half of what your school's tuition seems to be.

State community colleges are not focused on the higher profit margins that the private cdl schools are after.

Because of your troubles there..........666

10,000lbs

Hi Brian,

First of all, thank you for your service to our Country!

I have recently retired and I am also considering truck driving as a second career, if it happens, I too might be starting CDL school after the first of the year.

So far, Schneider is my first choice for a job, but I'm studying Western Express as well, as they seem to be the primary recruiter of graduates of the Community College CDL school I would be attending.

So I am definitely looking forward to following your posts!

Any way, I just wanted to say hi, and even though I am brand new here myself, to welcome you to the forum, and wish you the best of luck on your new adventure!

Thanks ChickieMonster, good tip! I had not considered that drivers can sometimes stop at will, (HOS permitting) and check out something they see by the side of the road. I just thought that once you got a load, you had to drive straight to the receiver without any unscheduled personal stops or delays. Good to know! Truck driving as a working retirement job is looking better all the time!

Yes, Errol, I have, it was very informative.

Thank you Old School for your thoughtful reply, I appreciate your comments. Although now I regret using the word Babysitting.

It just seemed better topic heading than something like:

"Is a company driver allowed to lock up and leave his truck parked somewhere unattended in order to participate in personal recreational activities when he knows he will not be driving for a significant amount of time?"

And I got my answer: YES!

Which is great news to me, as my primary motivation to possibly take up truck driving is for the opportunity to travel the country. But I wanted to confirm that I would be able to slip away from the truck every now and then, for some local exploring during an extended down time.

And thank you for those who commented about how you don't really sit idle all that much. This too is great news. It's great to hear that down time could well be not be such a major concern.