want to be a trucker, need advice

[corvairjunky]

hello. im trying to get info on trucking. im currently trying to get a better paying job, right now im tryign to be a seaman on merchant cargo ships. but very slow so looking at my other dream . yes trucking for some reason they fascinate me. anyways, the next rop class for trucking is late 07 for me and not much money i cant go to a school. I was wanting to know what companies that are decent pay, and will hire and train new people to get their cdl for semis. i dont care if i have a contract to get free schooling "IF" its a decent company that pays decent. i was wanting to know if anyone knew any companies that does this? any help would be much appreciated.

[just_froggy]

If your low income, try and go to your state's unemployment office. I did that here in Pennsylvania and they sent me to an agency, and since I was classified as an "underemployed adult", I went through the testing and the state paid for my training at an acredited (sp?) school. Try this before signing 6 months to a year of your life over to a trucking company.
There may be help for you if you look in the right place.

[corvairjunky]

i dont know if i would qualify. i am employed, but need a better paying job. right now im delivering pizza in my 43 yr old corvair :P i make with tips probly 1300-1600 monthly. i live in cali.

[just_froggy]

I was employed too when I got qualified to go. You have nothing to lose, just try it. You may be suprised.

[corvairjunky]

allright ill try it, but i hope i can find one that doesnt take 9 months to finish and watnot. altho i still would like to know what companies provide the training. incase that dont work out. ill go there monday.

[Uturn2001]

There are several companies that will send you to school in exchange for a 1 or 2 year contract. Swift and Schnieder are two that I know of that hire out of California and will train you from the ground up.

The first year will be the hardest, but if you keep your nose clean you will find a lot of doors open up after that.

[corvairjunky]

thanks uturn! along with frogs advice to see about fundin, ima contact both schnider and swift. btw what is the pay they give newbies? and what other companies besides them curious..

[Sealord]

Corvairjunky,
You don't state where in Cali you live, but go to your closest Employment Development Department office, you'll get the info about WIA funded driver training. You may have to jump thru some hoops, but if you're that determined, you'll make it.
What I am puzzled about is you stated you're wanting "to be a seaman on merchant cargo ships". The US Navy Military Sealift Command is always hiring people, have you tried that? I believe they have an offices in Oakland and San Diego, don't know if they have an office in Long Beach.
In either case you'll have to be able to routinely pass drug screening tests. BOL

[corvairjunky]

sealord ya i also contacted msc already. right now they were not looking for ordinary seamen "which im ordinary" they want able or higher right now, and they only give you work for 6 months. other 6 months your not getting paid and you got nothing. im trying to find one that will pay you while off and more work. i know of 2 more thats not union and thats it. if i go union they have a bid process and always highest seatime gets first dibs. so. thats why im looking into trucking. i wil look into the funding lie i said above but i cant garentee getting the funds so im looking into the companies that train too as backup to that. i will hopefully get to go tomorow.

[Mackman]

I just got my MMD ( Z Card )about 6 months ago. Try some Tug Boat company's. I know K sea and moran will take on OS. Then wants you get alittle time under your belt you can upgrade to a AB. If you want to make Money stick with the SEA jobs. You will in the long run make more with that then driving a truck.

[Doughboy70]

Hey Corvairjunky, I'm in the same boat you are. I can't afford or finance school either so it looks like I will go with company sponsored training. I tried the workforce center route and got turned down but I am thinking of trying again. Anyway, best of luck.

[One]

Avoid companies that train and make you sign contracts unless you enjoy indentured serviture.

[YoungZ.W.]

So basically you want training through the company? correct? In California you might want to try Swift, Schneider, Southern Cal transportation, and [/u]C.R. England :sad: if you are brave enough. Anymore it is hard to find companies that do their own schooling. If you can get a grant or a loan you will open your possiblities tremendously.

[Highwayman]

Avoid companies that train and make you sign contracts unless you enjoy indentured serviture.

I second this post.

[corvairjunky]

well it cant be any worse than when i was in the army :P sad to say i was medicly discharged over broken leg. i miss the good ol army. there is a million agencies and cant figure out who i should go to. i got too busy working on my corvair that i didnt have a chance to go to any of em. so i gotta try again wensday. but just like army i dont mind a contract as long as its steady and pays decent, so. i uno im going to try for funding first though. wish me luck.

[Highwayman]

I hope you are finished with the Corvair - you won't have much time to work on it if you go trucking.

I'd like to have a Corvair...

[Orangetxguy]

Corvair...have you got enough training to qualify as an ordinary seaman? if you do..Mack was right ...try starting with one of the Tug companies. Foss Maritine and Crowley Marine have had ads nationwide looking for OS's to be Bargemen. Pay is a heck of a lot better than truckin...but it is also harder work.


:moose:

[corvairjunky]

i love my corvair hehe best car i ever owned not joking. about the seaman job, im in process of getting my z card i got the stcw training done but. and if i go ship im not sure of tug boat but its like somewhat seasonal and i just want sumthing a lil more steady plus i love driving heck if i dont like driving after a yr or 2 i can still do ship im only 21 yrs old i have a lot ahead of me. so whil im still waiting i might as well give trucking a shot.

[Soldierontheroad]

This may not be true i am not sure. But i heard cali has some kind of laws that prevents a company from making you sign a contract for training. I know wih schnieder i have talked to 3 drivers from cali that said the did not have to sign 1. May be worth looking into as well.

Van pay is not great at all for new drivers. 27 cent start 29 after 6 months and 32 after first year.

Tanker pays alot better but need hazmat liscense friend of mine plls a tanker only been here 3 years and grosses 1500 a week. As a van driver on a dedicated account. (slightly less pay- All drop hook) I make about 850 gross a week on average. I am out 12 days off 3 and start a new run. I have only been here for 10 months though so it will go up a step when i hit that 1 year mark to what i am not sure.

They arnt to bad to work for but like every where there will be good days and bad days. But if you want to run the miles are here. They also do a gauranteed 500 week minimum for your first 6 months.

Damn i sound like a recruiter scratch everything i said and run the other way screaming.


( on a side note i will be quiting after my year. Not becuase of the company i get along fine with them but i got offered a better job local paying twice as much)

I enjoy being able to curl up with my girlfriend every nite to much to keep driving lol.

Anyway best of luck to you what ever road you take.