Alliance Tractor Trailer Training Center, Arden, NC.
Topic 11549 | Page 1
You'll do great! Congrats on taking that first step.
I have no I formation about them, however; congratulations on your new adventure, and stay focused and work hard!
Jonathan, I went to Alliance in McDonough, GA but that was a long time ago - 1993. But they remain an excellent school. Go through our Truck Driver's Career Guide and read my book Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving (free online version!) and you'll learn a ton about what to expect from life in the trucking industry.
I am meeting with Billy Stuart, Director, at the Alliance Tractor Trailer Training Center here in Arden, NC. tomorrow morning at 10:30am. I am glad I finally overcame whatever was keeping me from taking the first move. I am 49 yrs old and have been a computer consultant for the last 16 yrs. I am tired of the up and down and lack of work here in Western North Carolina. It must be the most challenging place I have ever lived in terms of a job.
When I was a young man, I was NATOPS, (Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization) qualified in the Sikorski SH-3H and a winged Navy Aircrewman, and a Rescue Swimmer, so I know I have the drive, and the discipline to get through the training.
If anyone has any advice or information about Alliance or beginning a trucking career as a career change, that would be great!
I'll let everyone know how my meeting went.
Welcome Jonathan. I retired from a long career in technology, took the plunge to become a truck driver over 3 years ago. Never looked back. Like working with computers and software, safely operating a CMV and effective performance requires similar attention to details and repeatable process (like the pre-trip inspection). Good luck in your new journey. Let us know how we can assist.
Safe travels.
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Welcome to the club Jonathan! I'm from WNC, born and raised. And what you say about jobs there is absolutely true. I was an on air radio dj there for 10 years, worked as a supervisor in a metal shop, did car body work (mostly a hobby) and a ton of other things to make ends stretch. Finally took the plunge, went to prime in July, and now I'm proud to say I'm a rookie solo driver! It's a big change, but I think you'll really like it! Good luck!
Thank you all so much for all the warm replies. I am also recently (3 years, 5 ?) divorced , it is still hard. Sometimes, only the love of my son, and sweet Jesus himself is the only thing that helps me hold on. An old Dave Mason song comes to me, that was on the radio when my parents divorced when I was young:
" I'm going back to a place that's far away, How bout you, have you got a place to stay? Why should I care, when I'm just trying to get along? We were friends, but now it's the end of our love song
So let's leave it alone, 'cause we can't see eye to eye, There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy, There's only you and me and we just disagree Ooh-hoo-hoo, oh-oh-ho"
GUTWRENCHING!
I had been sleeping in my camper shell in my truck, but one of my !! yr old son's friends, parents, said, "NO, its too dam cold, come with us" I have been there a week!
SOOOOOOO! My meeting was GREAT! I will start 4 weeks training on Dec 7th. and the best part, my CDL test is at their facility! so it will be on the same course I train on!! Also, I needed $495.00 to cover some fees and wasn't sure how I was going to cover it, and I got a pre approved credit card offer from Wells Fargo in the mail today, filled it out online and BOOM! approved! so I've got the fee covered! Plus one of my ex wife's friends wants me to house sit, so I have at least some of my 4 week training period covered. Thank you Jesus!!! I can see everything working out. Like a Phoenix, I am going to rise out of the ashes! I am going to work hard , pay off the 4.5k of debt I have, save $$, and SMILE, SMILE, SMILE!
I am very grateful for this community. I look forward to being part of it and contributing to it! update soon!
-Jonathan 
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Happy for you. Best of luck!
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I am meeting with Billy Stuart, Director, at the Alliance Tractor Trailer Training Center here in Arden, NC. tomorrow morning at 10:30am. I am glad I finally overcame whatever was keeping me from taking the first move. I am 49 yrs old and have been a computer consultant for the last 16 yrs. I am tired of the up and down and lack of work here in Western North Carolina. It must be the most challenging place I have ever lived in terms of a job.
When I was a young man, I was NATOPS, (Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization) qualified in the Sikorski SH-3H and a winged Navy Aircrewman, and a Rescue Swimmer, so I know I have the drive, and the discipline to get through the training.
If anyone has any advice or information about Alliance or beginning a trucking career as a career change, that would be great!
I'll let everyone know how my meeting went.