Considering a career change

[Deerhunter]

Well BA flatbedding requires load securement. Chaining or strapping down the loads and tarping. Sometimes in inclimate weather. Usualy Van work is MOSTLY done indoors. But usualy less backing is requierd in flatbeding. There is probably alot more to both but I am just getting started myself. Maybe some of the others may have more info that they would be willing to give. Maverick pays for tarping. And Like I said they pay for your training and it only takes 6 months to fullfill your obligation. While other companys require a year or more. and if you do leave early its only a pro rated amount of $1500.00. If you would like more info PM me or check the maverickusa.com site.

[BA]

Thanks for the encouragement, I want to do this so bad I can taste it already!! The desire is so strong, I know I'll succeed. Spent alot of time recently just reading about all the different topics here. Tons of real world info and a great site it is!!

Tonight I'm off to NETTTS to see if I qualify for any financial aid for their school. Gonna be tough to swallow $6895 and lose 20 weekends for training. I want to find ALL my options for training before I commit to anyone. No doubt...I'll be joining you guys soon enough.

I do have many questions still, some I've found answers here and some I haven't. As I explore more and more about this, the more I want to go for it. My schedule is quite busy currently, but as winter approaches I hope to spend more time here and post more.

Thanx everyone
BA

[BA]

What a major disappointment...last nights appt was mostly a waste of time. IMO $$$ is all their interested in. $7K just to teach me all the rules and how to drive a truck? Can't qualify for any grant money either...I made too much last year. Cripes...it's not like their teaching me how to fly the space shuttlle. Maybe the price is typical for the northeast, I don't know. But a friend of mine lives in Michigan and just graduated from a school that only cost him $4K.

Since this threads not intended to be about bashing schools, I'll just keep the negative comments to myself. I self taught myself how to turn wrenches and made a career out of it. Maybe that's the route I should go for a CDL. I know I could get the permit on my own, so maybe that might be the first step I'll take. But seeing how most companies want schooling on a rookies record, I'll probably have to keep looking. Too bad Maverick is not local around here.

Where there's a will, there's a way...and I'll find it too!!

$3,600 for a school in Mass and they will cater to whatever hours you want.
You would have to make arraignments to rent a truck and trailer back in your state to take the driving test though.

I called NETTTS in the beginning and they wanted me to come in for an interview. I said, what, are you kidding me, you'll take anyone that has money and breaths. They agreed and said I was approved over the phone.

[BA]

Steve
With this new passion consuming most of my thoughts, and getting caught up in NETTTS sales pitch , I forgot about the place you previously mentioned in MA. I'll have to give them a call. The price sounds a he!! of a lot better but why don't they assist/offer the testing for the CDL. NETTTS did, but then again at the kind of $$$ they are charging :shock: ...it should be

[GoldiesPlating]

if you dont mind flatbedding then you might want to consider Maverick they pay for school and you are only obligated for 6 months. 1500 bucks and that is pro rated so if you stay 3 months then you only owe half. and they get you home nearly every weekend. the pay isnt to bad either. They start you out at .35 a mile.

I wasn't aware that Maverick hires in BA's area. TMC does, especially with their new dedicated accounts springing up in the Northeast.

BA, if you want some insight into what I did (and do) at TMC check out my website below. Any questions feel free to PM me of call me at the 800- number below.

Best of Luck to you and WELCOME to CAD!

[dragracert99]

I was in your position.
I went to American truck driving school and had half paid for by WIA , the work force investment act.
I work for Falcon now and like it.
I average 1 k a week flatbedding and am home every weekend.
Falcon has a two week traing course after you get out of your own school and 4 weeks on thew road but they shorten it for those who do good.
I run a covered wagon and would never use jst a flatbed because to much work and time to tarp up loads,lol.
6 months and now have an 07 automatic and I love it.
It can be a lot of work and some times a lot of waiting at some places but it's not as hard as wrenching.
The work part don't last long loading and unloading but some places are very hot inside,lol.
The worst part to me is the crappy truck stos and bathrooms,lol.
I park at Walmarts a alot.
I got home Friday at 7pm and don't leave till Monday at 5 am.
It can get lonely at times but I stay busy driving alot and am tired when I stop so not much wasted time, no time for me to play games and watch movies etc., week goes by fairly fast.
Wife just bought me a laptop so I can do stuff while I set and places waitying,lol.
I talk to my wife and son and two daughters and a couple friends on the cell to pass time some.
I should have done this sooner but wanted to get my kids through school first.
This is alot nless stressful than wrenching.
Give Falcon a call, 6 months and I'm still happy with them.
Like anything else, it's what you make of it.
P.S., no matter how bitchy others are be nice, it goes a long ways and has gotten me unloaded and loaded quiker than any one who fusses.
Take this seriously as some can make you wait forever,lol.

[BA]

I wasn't aware that Maverick hires in BA's area. TMC does, especially with their new dedicated accounts springing up in the Northeast.

BA, if you want some insight into what I did (and do) at TMC check out my website below. Any questions feel free to PM me of call me at the 800- number below.

Best of Luck to you and WELCOME to CAD!

Thanks for the welcome and the offer to answer any Q's on a personal level. I may just take you up on that if the need arises 8)

The first day I visited this forum, I saw your link and took a look around. I'll have to revisit and spend a little more time there.

[BA]

I was in your position.
I went to American truck driving school and had half paid for by WIA , the work force investment act.
I work for Falcon now and like it.
I average 1 k a week flatbedding and am home every weekend.
Falcon has a two week traing course after you get out of your own school and 4 weeks on thew road but they shorten it for those who do good.
I run a covered wagon and would never use jst a flatbed because to much work and time to tarp up loads,lol.
6 months and now have an 07 automatic and I love it.
It can be a lot of work and some times a lot of waiting at some places but it's not as hard as wrenching.
The work part don't last long loading and unloading but some places are very hot inside,lol.
The worst part to me is the crappy truck stos and bathrooms,lol.
I park at Walmarts a alot.
I got home Friday at 7pm and don't leave till Monday at 5 am.
It can get lonely at times but I stay busy driving alot and am tired when I stop so not much wasted time, no time for me to play games and watch movies etc., week goes by fairly fast.
Wife just bought me a laptop so I can do stuff while I set and places waitying,lol.
I talk to my wife and son and two daughters and a couple friends on the cell to pass time some.
I should have done this sooner but wanted to get my kids through school first.
This is alot nless stressful than wrenching.
Give Falcon a call, 6 months and I'm still happy with them.
Like anything else, it's what you make of it.
P.S., no matter how bitchy others are be nice, it goes a long ways and has gotten me unloaded and loaded quiker than any one who fusses.
Take this seriously as some can make you wait forever,lol.

Hey dragracer
I'd like to know more about this WIA program. First time I've heard of it. I just did a quick google for it and see that it's a federal program. But I'm not sure if I would qualify for any benefits. I've never been laid off and my current income might be an issue. I'll have to look into it more. Also, any chance you have a link for the American truck driving school you mentioned?

As for the stress...no doubt I need to eliminate it or reduce it at the minimum. My current job puts far more stress on me than I'm paid for...IMO, and in this trade it seems the more you know, the more you get ***** on. Hopefully trucking, particularly OTR isn't as bad.

If you average 1K a week at Falcon, I'll have to add them to my list of possible prospectives.

Thanks for the positive post, I still have a few concerns about making the change($$ & stress mostly), but posts like yours reaffirm my decision to go for it.

[EasyRolln]

BA,

Have you tried searching any of the community colleges in your surrounding area? I just finished up, and the program that I took was 5 weeks full time during the day and 9 weeks if you took the night class (4 hours). The cost was a little over $3,900 and was worth it. The added benefit for those who were paying out of pocket was the school was willing to work out a payment plan with the understanding that they would hold your paperwork once you passed until they got their money. I didn't see a difference in driving between the day or night class either (we all tested out together). Also, depending on the school that you attend, they have job placement. So, most likely you'll have a job lined up by the time you graduate from the program. I would suggest before attending any school, get your permit first. It will save you a lot of pressure and you can use the time in class to study for your endorsements if you don't get those before class starts as well. By the way, I had a couple of guys in my class that worked in the Ford plant. They're getting laid off on average 2 wks. out of the month, and Ford is still playing games with their lives. Good luck to you, I sincerely hope that everything works out in your favor.

[BA]

The only real obstacle that I can see regarding this career change is $$. I've seen the .25-.30 cpm rate for rookies and by doing the math...that raises a flag. Then I see what dragracer makes after 6 mos, and that is about what I would need to survive. Living in CT is wicked expensive!! Last year I made $60K and can live 'somewhat comfortably'(does that even exist anymore?) for the most part. After a year or so driving, I'm sure I'll earn enough, but until I get there I might be stuck feeding my family PB & jelly sandwiches...minus the PB & jelly :wink:


Here's what my problem is and I was wondering if any of you faced a similar challenge and what you did...

I still have about 12 yrs left on my mortgage, but I do have some serious equity. I've been at my current employer for about 14yrs and have a decent 401K, but no pension. I also have about 8 or 9 yrs left on 2 student loans for my daughters college education. That cost me almost as much as what I paid for my house :shock:

So...those 2 debts alone run about 2K a month. Glad I don't have any CC or car payments any more. I have a little in savings, but it takes a hit twice a year when I pay my property taxes. With the high energy costs currently in place, $$ doesn't go as far as it used too. The way I see it is I might have to take as much as a 50% pay cut to make the career change. That's the only concern I face. I think it would be foolish if I hit up my equity to help make ends meet, and I'd also have another payment to make. I could always tap into my 401 after I leave my current employer, but the tax and penality hit are going to take a hefty chunk out of it. And since I have no pension, it too would be another foolish mistake.

I really want to change careers...so bad that it seems 24/7 all I think about is driving a rig OTR. There has to be a way I can make this work, but I'm not about to jeopardize what I've achieved so far in life.

Any thoughts or suggestions? I'm sure there must be a few folks here that were in a similar position at one time or another...

TIA

[BA]

BA,

Have you tried searching any of the community colleges in your surrounding area? I just finished up, and the program that I took was 5 weeks full time during the day and 9 weeks if you took the night class (4 hours). The cost was a little over $3,900 and was worth it. The added benefit for those who were paying out of pocket was the school was willing to work out a payment plan with the understanding that they would hold your paperwork once you passed until they got their money. I didn't see a difference in driving between the day or night class either (we all tested out together). Also, depending on the school that you attend, they have job placement. So, most likely you'll have a job lined up by the time you graduate from the program. I would suggest before attending any school, get your permit first. It will save you a lot of pressure and you can use the time in class to study for your endorsements if you don't get those before class starts as well. By the way, I had a couple of guys in my class that worked in the Ford plant. They're getting laid off on average 2 wks. out of the month, and Ford is still playing games with their lives. Good luck to you, I sincerely hope that everything works out in your favor.

Yes I did check with a local school...they don't offer anything. There are a couple more I can check with, but they are about an hour+ away. I'll have to see what they offer. I also plan to contact the place in MA that steve suggested.

Thanks

[syl77dar]

goodluck

[GoldiesPlating]

no trucker makes $60k the first year, never. you will probably have 2 move and relocate your home if you are going 2 drive or else your wife will have to work too? 60k a year to live that is ridiculous!

Oh really? This is my first year with TMC and I'm on track to make OVER $60,000. Maverick drivers too routinely make close to $60,000 their first year. It is EASILY "do-able".

[BA]

60k a year to live that is ridiculous!

Not if you live in the northeast, like in CT, MA or NY and want to own a home. Take a look at CA...how far will $60K get you?

I'm not saying I need $60K to start...$40-50 would probably work. But based on what I've read, many rookies start off around $30K. I may just have to set aside away about 6 months or so of my current income before I make the switch to driving. The problem there is I DON"T want to wait that long. I'd like to start training right after the holidays.

[BA]

Oh really? This is my first year with TMC and I'm on track to make OVER $60,000. Maverick drivers too routinely make close to $60,000 their first year. It is EASILY "do-able".

That sounds more like it...but you've been driving for quite awhile, correct?
I just looked at your site again...I'll HAVE to find some time tonight when I get home to check it completely. It sounds like TMC might be the ticket for me. Maverick also sounds good, but it sounds like you got to bust a nut everyday.

Anyone have any comments about CFI and their training program?

[GoldiesPlating]

Oh really? This is my first year with TMC and I'm on track to make OVER $60,000. Maverick drivers too routinely make close to $60,000 their first year. It is EASILY "do-able".

That sounds more like it...but you've been driving for quite awhile, correct?
I just looked at your site again...I'll HAVE to find some time tonight when I get home to check it completely. It sounds like TMC might be the ticket for me. Maverick also sounds good, but it sounds like you got to bust a nut everyday.

Anyone have any comments about CFI and their training program?

Nope, I've been driving for just 7 months. TMC offers cpm pay or percentage pay. Percentage pays on percentage of the load. Rookies can (and do) make as much as veteran drivers.
Yes you DO have to bust your butt. But only for an hour to and hour and a half per day.
Call or write if you have any questions.