CDL A, or B, or find another job

[fogshat]

I quit drinking years ago but i'm guessing its a moot point.

The school recruiter had no problem with my driver history, but he's just gonna take my money and train me, not hire me.

I am 40. I have a stable work history.

HOWEVER< I have DWI #1 in 1988, #2 in 1991, and #3 in 1995. I have (1) one clean year of driving (10 year loss of auto license) since restoration this past January. Up until reading this board I had intended to take the written Class A this week, then jump into a CDL Training for the skills part, this month, school picked out and ready to sign.

Now I wonder if I should just give up entirely on the idea? Are the odds stacked mightily against me?

I decided to make this poll, and let the majority decide. Thank you all for your input.

[4roses]

fogshat .... before paying to go to school .... please call several big companys and be honest with them about your history ... see if they would consider hiring you .... since you've been without a license for so many years ,... it may be doubtful you'll find a job driving ... but then too ... you won't know for sure until you make the calls and ask...... good luck in the future. Everyone deserves the chance to make a change in their life and start over ,.... go for it :!:

[Uturn2001]

What you need to do is get on the phone and start calling companies that hire newbies and talk to them about all this.

What is going to hurt you the most right now I think is the 10 year lisc suspension, and then only showing 1 year of a clean driving record. It will make little or no difference in job hunting looking for a Class A or B job.

Like I said you need to make some calls and get things directly from the horses mouth.

[Malaki86]

Ditto

Start calling companies and see what they have to say about it.

[Trapper]

Don't spend any money on school until you find out if you're employable. It doesn't look very good to me. That 10 year suspension will really hurt you. The DUIs are over 10 years ago but there is 3 of them. The state pulled your license for 10 years because they thought you were a danger to society being an habitual offender. Insurance companies are probably not any different.

I wish you the best of luck, I just don't want you to spend money on trucking school if you can't drive for anyone.

[ColtsFan]

I think you can get a decent job with either the A or B. It depends on what you want to do. The class A is the popular answer. But, getting in will be harder and the training will either cost more or you will have to commit yourself to a contract with a carrier like Schneider or Roehl.

Or...you can get a class B almost on your own for about $750 w/hazmat and do expediting. Companies like Landstar Express America, Panther II, and Express 1 do a lot of work with what they call "D" units. That is a 22' - 24' straight truck w/sleeper added. Check out http://www.expeditersonline.com to get more info. What you would do is work for a fleet owner or buy your own truck and be an o/o. They deal with priority freight which is time sensitive. Sometimes you get freight that has other special handling requirements. You can make good money doing that. You have to crunch the numbers though. You dont typically get as many miles in expediting, but...from what they say you get more $'s per mile. The pay off is less work for = money, or close. Less time, effort, and money to get your CDL. Plus, its easier to drive a straight truck than it is an 18 wheeler.

But, it comes down to what will make you happy. IMO

[fogshat]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I Contacted some companies, who were kind enough to actually respond.

Me get a trucking job?

better chance of winning the lottery.

Yep.

Pretty much.

Bummer.

[silvan]

Plus, its easier to drive a straight truck than it is an 18 wheeler.

Tell that to my trainer at the cement company who couldn't stop laughing at me for doing everything backwards.

[Trapper]

You were smart to see if you're hireable before you went to school. I figured your chances weren't going to be very good. There's no use spending the money for school if you can't get hired.

I wish you the best of luck in whatever you do.