Got The CDL... What Now?

Always great stuff to learn, Old School. Thank you.

Richie, if you still need more schooling but don't have the cash, check out your state workforce. They should have a website. I didn't have a dime for school but I was able to get funded through them. However, this was not a quick process. It's a lot of paperwork and documentation, etc., but for me, was totally worth the effort. It took about 4 months from my first meeting there to the first day in school but I did it. This may not be an option for you if time is of the essence but it's worth checking out.

Good luck, push hard for what you want, and let us know how you're doing. Post as many questions as you need answers for. We all can benefit from learning what others have to offer, so just ask.

-mountain girl

Always great stuff to learn, Old School. Thank you.

Richie, if you still need more schooling but don't have the cash, check out your state workforce. They should have a website. I didn't have a dime for school but I was able to get funded through them. However, this was not a quick process. It's a lot of paperwork and documentation, etc., but for me, was totally worth the effort. It took about 4 months from my first meeting there to the first day in school but I did it. This may not be an option for you if time is of the essence but it's worth checking out.

Good luck, push hard for what you want, and let us know how you're doing. Post as many questions as you need answers for. We all can benefit from learning what others have to offer, so just ask.

-mountain girl

yea i dont have much time because of the fact return to college / studying stuff i have no thought or pursuit my dream of being a trucker.. really having a rough time debating this topic could my state which is n.carolina help me pay for trucking school??? i will contuine asking questions m.g. to get the answers im looking for. ty m.g. for the encouragement words really means alot to me

Yeah, no problem at all. It's like what Brett says: in relative terms, the investment into CDL school isn't too expensive in terms of time and money. I would hunt for a company that trains its new drivers and if you have the ability to do so, go OTR. If you do like it, you might be able to squeeze in some self-paced, online classes while you're a driver but at least you'll have a paycheck. Your choices might actually open up for you, once you have a little money coming in. It's late, out East. Don't forget to get some "crew rest." It makes decision-making easier.

-mountain girl

Thank u m.g. i will look into that more .and i can both of everything: a soild career that pays / do online classes as well. just wanna go back to work / put myplan into motion

First, I guess I should apologize. My comment wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but to be honest, I've spoken with a few drivers recently and the info I have received was not encouraging. So when there were no replies here, it seemed to go along with what I have been told.

Now, when I say "a job with the city", I'm not referring to a local driving job. What I mean is, a friend of mine was convinced that a city near where I live was going to be hiring. According to him, applicants with a CDL license where given priority, so the CDL along with his willingness to put a word in for me was my best bet at landing the job. The purpose of the CDL was not even to drive semi's but instead was because they want all city maintenance staff to be able to drive any vehicle the city owns. I studied my tail off and got the permit. Took a class with a school here in Florida and got my CDL license. I did not take a class that included months of road training because I never expected to be driving semi's OTR. Problem is, the city has not hired as my friend thought they would so now I'm sitting here with a CDL that cost me a lot of money to get, no job with the city, and no driving experience that most companies require.

When I say "I'm not what these schools are looking for..." I'm referring to the fact that the truck driving schools (recruiters and such) are looking for people to come in and pay for training to get the CDL, or do the training and contract to drive for them thing for a year or whatever. Since I already have it, I'm not who they are looking for. As for the job, since I am now considering actually driving, OTR does not bother me at all, but there are a few things that do bother me. Drivers I have approached have all pretty much said the same thing. Long hours, few days off, and don't expect to make any money for your first year. I realize I need to find a company who is willing to put me with a trainer to get the road hours and experience I need. Not a problem. What I need to know is which companies can I trust to be fair with me? I have heard so many horror stories and I really don't want to end up with a bad company and find myself in a bigger mess than I am already in. I don't have a problem with "paying my dues" so to speak, but I do need to be able to pay a few bills along the way as well. If minimum wage or less for my first 6 months to a year is the best I can do, then this is a waste of time for me to pursue, and I will have to cut my losses here and move in another direction. It doesn't matter what kind of money I can make two years from now if I end up in bankruptcy court before I can get there.

I truly do appreciate the feed back. I know my situation is not an easy one, but I am happy for any suggestions you all may have.

That was a whole lot more clarifying. I felt the same way when a friend of mine told me he had both of us a job on a NASCAR team do I picked up and moved 1100 miles to NC only to find out there wasn't a job there for me. It really sucks when that happens and I feel your pain. Now about your question. First off it won't be minimum wage really no matter what kind of CDL job you get. It also won't be making you rich either. Daniel has an excellent post on here breaking down his first years pay exactly down to the penny. I would say that is a reasonable expectation for what you could make year one doing OTR. I myself got a local gig and I'm probably going to land around 40k got my first year. If you are ok with those figures then you'll be fine in this business. At this point I would just apply, apply, apply. I can't really recommend any national companies because I never went that route but what I've heard is you can make any of them a good company because it's all on how hard you're ready to work. I only hope I was able to help a little, and maybe someone can post a link to Daniels post so you don't have to search for days. Good luck for whatever happens

James, you really just have to ignore what ever things you've heard from truck drivers. The fact is that this is a tough job, it requires a special person to not only handle it, but to do well at it. It is long hours - for me it is long hours of doing something I really enjoy. There is no overtime pay, and if you want to break down your pay and calculate it out to see what you are making per hour you will probably be disappointed. But there are very few careers that you can just jump into as a complete newbie with no experience and still make 35,000 dollars your first year. Some of the people here in this forum have made upwards of 45,000 dollars their rookie year.

Life on the road is neither easy or inexpensive, but a good truck driver manages to make it seem that way. I can't answer the question of whether you've got the makings of a successful truck driver, but I do know that it takes a good strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a willingness to be flexible and sacrificial. You may just have to jump in with both feet and see if you can swim. I say make the leap - the waters good!

I wanna take that leap into a soild future ...... i need a better way of living

Check out Trucking Truth's link to companies Trucking Companies, How To Choose A Company, and Truck Driving Jobs. Those are a great start. Also, the company I just got an offer from, Con-way seems to have been very straight forward with me, so far. They have Con-way Freight (LTL), which is relatively local and Con-way Truckload (OTR). I like 'em, so far. I mean, I've only gone so far as an interview, an offer, and physical, etc, but they seem really solid and everyone at the terminal seems very content (a sign I always look for). Check them out.

-mountain girl

Okay m.g. just feel a question coming on ima post it & see what advice i get .ty