Is It That Easy?

Hi Rick, Yeah, I get that about south of I4. My parents live about 15 miles south of the Florida/Georgia border, so well within their hiring range. The recruiter says that's not a problem if I want to claim that residency.

You mentioned the PanicDemic, and I did ask him how it's affecting freight. He said they are busier than ever since it hit, but of course that could be recruiter talk, too.

True that about the migrant invasion. Scary thought indeed.

DACA promises?

Hi all, thanks for your answers. Rick and Jammer, you are right about taking the time and READ EACH QUESTION SLOWLY! If anything, I found where I screwed up on practice tests were assuming the easy answer only to find out I got it wrong because of a word or phrase that was switched around. Confidence is one thing, but carelessness will cost you.

On an unrelated note, I spoke with a TMC recruiter yesterday about starting training in June after I retire from teaching here in Kalifornia. Since they don't hire in my area, I will have to claim residency at my parents' house in Florida in order to qualify. I failed to ask, but can anyone tell me if I should take the CDL in Cali, Florida, or wait and do it in S. Carolina at their training facility? I'm kinda in a strange place, because my wife will have to remain in Cali for my training and getting established on the road for a few months. Eventually, we want to move to Tennessee which is well within TMC's running area.

You are going to need to have a REGULAR DRIVERS LICENSE from wherever you "claim residency".

In many cases (depending on the company), you will trade your "regular license" for a CLP in the state the company operates their training out of - then get your CDL in THAT STATE - then go to your HOME STATE and transfer your CDL back into that state.

And this VARIES FROM COMPANY TO COMPANY - so make your decision when you get a little closer to your sign-on date (and obviously have decided on a company - or, THEY have decided on you).

Use some caution - ESPECIALLY WITH FLORIDA ADDRESSES. Most companies don't hire south of the I-4 region - and many, not south of the I-10 region.

VERY LITTLE FREIGHT comes out of SoFla - so the rates suck, and companies still have to get you home once in awhile - so they just don't hire from this area (like Fort Lauderdale - where I live).

Most of the tests have enough "generic questions", and the only state that has additional stuff is TEXAS. So even if you blow a "state specific" question - there are still enough you will get right - to pass the test.

Since you aren't planning to jump UNTIL JUNE - you have a bunch of time to figure out which way you want to go with this - and THINGS MAY CHANGE between now and June - with a new administration coming in - and how/where we are at with this PanicDemic.

Plus - with the new admins promises about DACA and other immigration policy - you may find yourself competing with 20 million NEWLY MINTED LEGAL ALIENS - who will now be able to work legally.

Rick

Hi Banks, Thanks for your input. I am bouncing around the idea about training here in Cali. I'm not too far from the Swift facility in Fontana, so that's a possibility. My reasons for TMC are many: pay structure, employee owned, training, flatbed (wish they did tanks), scheduling, reputation, and most important...really cool Peterbilts! ;-)

I know I can train locally and bail in a year, but to be honest, I really don't want to take that approach. At this stage in my life I'd rather jump into a company I like and stay there. Plus-and this is really important-we gotta get out of California. We just can't stand it any longer.

My thought at this point is if for some reason I don't cut it in trucking, I can still stay in teaching. I don't have to inform my district until August which is plenty of time for me to find out if it's working for me. Sure would hate to commit to Tennessee only to get there and things don't work out.

On an unrelated note, I spoke with a TMC recruiter yesterday about starting training in June after I retire from teaching here in Kalifornia. Since they don't hire in my area, I will have to claim residency at my parents' house in Florida in order to qualify. I failed to ask, but can anyone tell me if I should take the CDL in Cali, Florida, or wait and do it in S. Carolina at their training facility? I'm kinda in a strange place, because my wife will have to remain in Cali for my training and getting established on the road for a few months. Eventually, we want to move to Tennessee which is well within TMC's running area.

I would get hired with a company that hires in your area if you're wife is going to remain in California for the time being. The reason TMC doesn't hire in your area is because they don't have any freight going to or coming out of that area, meaning you're not going to be able to get home to your wife during training or when you're solo. TMC will pair with a trainer that lives relatively close to you, which means your home time during training will be at your parents house.

I'd advise waiting until you're in Tennessee before going to TMC. They aren't going anywhere and you don't what the future holds. Your plans to go to Tennessee may have to be put on hold until later date for unforeseen reasons, then when will you get home to your wife?

I understand all of that and TMC is a great company, but training is stressful enough without the added frustration of knowing you won't get be able to go home and you have no idea when you'll be able to go home. That isn't something to be overlooked because while it may not bother you as much, your wife may feel differently. Issues at home deflate this career fast, I see it on this forum regularly. I want you to go to TMC, be happy and kick ass, but I don't want you to do it at the expenses of your home life. If you decide to go to TMC, you need to have a conversation with you wife so she understands that you're not sure when you'll be able to come home. It sounds dramatic, but it's the truth. Good luck.

I understand you wanting out of cali. I got out 8 years ago myself. Banks makes some very good points about getting home. Take a look at Roehl. They have a flatbed yard in Fontana and they run all over. They have some very good equipment. Type of truck you want is a reliable one!!!

The recruiter telling you they are busy is true. Alot of companies have been busier this year I know mine and several others have been.

Merry Christmas, Banks and PJ!

I do understand there will be an adjustment, especially at the beginning. I do get that the first step for any married man or woman who is considering getting into the industry is to discuss it with his/her spouse. It really is a lifestyle change for both. However, for my wife and I, we are already mentally prepared.

My wife is a legal assistant/paralegal. About five years ago she landed a gig at a firm in Orange County which is about a three-hour commute from our house. No way she could do that daily, so she rented a room from her sister in the area and came home on the weekends. Often she would have to do weekend office work and couldn't come home for a few weeks. We got through it just fine. I just spent extra riding time on my Harley ;-)

The training/separation situation would only be for a couple of months. Military folks have deployments that last a heckuva lot more than that. My dad is retired Navy, and I remember him being gone for more than a year during the Vietnam era, so again I get it.

Another thing that fuels my sense of urgency to move now is housing. People who escape Cali go to Texas. People who escape New York go to Florida or Tennessee. Housing is sharply increasing, so I feel the need to get out asap before real estate skyrockets.

Merry Christmas too you as well. I left cali and moved to Ga. Depending where you go property is still very reasonable. I bought a place on 12 acres and a cute 1500 sq ft three bedroom for 115k.

My Harley sad to say sits in the shop more than on the road. Very nice riding back here.

I lived in the San Joaquin valley for 40 years. I know all too well the makeup of cali, plus the kids and grandkids still live there. I come for a visit and leave promptly afterward.

Howdy, Xnihilo ~!

Yep, I'm one of those born in NY, moved to FL with the family, as a young lass. Got married, and moved to Ohio .. kinda like the song .. 'What leads you to Ohio? I said danged if I know' LoL, courtesy of Billy Currington!!

God is Great ... People are Crazy! (Merry Christmas!)

Seriously . . . on a lighter note, lanes in Ohio are really good as well . . if you're still contemplating a 'where to' on your move!

Best of luck, either way~

~ Anne ~

ps: Nice pic, PJ~!

Hiya PJ, Beautiful Glide! What year? I have a '20 E-Glide Standard. If you haven't tried the Milwaukee 8, you gotta get on one. This is my third Harley and it's by far the best. This past July I rode it to Florida and back for its 'break-in' ride. Absolute dream on the highway. I figure if I can do over 5k miles on a bike, a truck is a cake walk. Yes, you have some backroads that rival southern Cali's which is one of the reasons I'm thinking Tennessee. I used to ride BMW's up around Suches back in the day. Really look forward to getting back. Motorcycles are a big part that defines me. I just gotta ride.

Merry Christmas too you as well. I left cali and moved to Ga. Depending where you go property is still very reasonable. I bought a place on 12 acres and a cute 1500 sq ft three bedroom for 115k.

My Harley sad to say sits in the shop more than on the road. Very nice riding back here.

I lived in the San Joaquin valley for 40 years. I know all too well the makeup of cali, plus the kids and grandkids still live there. I come for a visit and leave promptly afterward.

Hiya, Anne! Merry Christmas! Ya know, I'm not ruling out other areas. As you know I'm from Florida, and The Wife is a Southern California girl. We have talked about trying something completely different like Iowa...another heavy lane state (and TMC headquarters). Problem is, I get flipped out when the temp drops below 50. Ha! ;-) On a positive, we are faithful Lutherans, so anywhere in the Midwest would be a good thing. Who knows!

Howdy, Xnihilo ~!

Yep, I'm one of those born in NY, moved to FL with the family, as a young lass. Got married, and moved to Ohio .. kinda like the song .. 'What leads you to Ohio? I said danged if I know' LoL, courtesy of Billy Currington!!

God is Great ... People are Crazy! (Merry Christmas!)

Seriously . . . on a lighter note, lanes in Ohio are really good as well . . if you're still contemplating a 'where to' on your move!

Best of luck, either way~

~ Anne ~

ps: Nice pic, PJ~!

It’s a 17, and has the 108 engine. Smooth as butter on the highway. Riding used to be my therapy. When I lived out there alot of times I would ride over to Pismo or Morro Bay just to have lunch and unwind a bit.

This is the first Harley, my old bike is a 06 vstar 1100 custom, and yes it is all chromed out. Last year of the 1100 engine. It is like the old small block chevy’s. Alot of reasonable ways to modify it and still reliable. I still have it, keeps the Harley company in the shop, lol.

Keep in mind Fl, Tx and Tn have no personal state income tax. That may be important or not to you. Also looking into the politics I think is telling of each state. This year has sure shown a light on each state’s character.