From construction to trucking

[liteguy]

I've been reading alot of post about the trucking industry trying to get a fair perspective on the industry. I have been in the construction business for 25 years, I've worked in snow, sleet, rain, 110 + degree heat, 140 degree attics you name it I've been there over the last 25 years. I stuck to it because thats all I knew how to do, I also had a family to support. Well now I'm in my mid 40's and I need to do something different, the construction market is really bad, the old bod's not what it use to be. I've always wanted to drive trucks, I love to drive and to see the country. I started reading the posts on here and have a hard time getting a fair perspective on the industry. I here how bad some companies treat their employee's, how much some people hate the industry and have been lied to by recruiters. I want to be trained properly, [no cdl mills] money is not as inportant as getting into the right company. I live in the Boise area. I'm not sure if I should pay for my own schooling [sage is close] or sit down w/ a few of the local co. and see what they offer. I really want to be a well quallified driver, not just blow through schooling and get on the road. I guess what I'm asking is there a company or school that really seems to stand out above the others??? all the trucking co. ads seem to be the same old thing, weather there honostly trying to recruit good entry level drivers or run us through as fast as possible, I can't tell the difference. Thanks for the help

[Uturn2001]

IMHO you should go through school on your own dime. There are way too many what ifs that could keep you from completing and employment contract in exchange for your base schooling.

The best program, generally speaking, is one the is PTDI certified, which will give you the most options upon completion for employment. If you can not or do not go through a PTDI course the course you do go through should be at least 160 hours.

As far as companies go and how well you will be post school trained that is the luck of the draw for the most part. Every company has its good trainers and its bad ones. When it comes to companies you are going to find people who will praise them and find those who hate them. More often than not it usually comes down to what kind of person they have for a dispatcher than the company itself. IMHO the only companies I suggest staying away from would be CR England and Prime. Other than that I would try to talk to current drivers of any company you are interested in. Take a trip to area truck stops and talk to them as they are fueling up or ask if they have time to sit down for a while a talk in the cafe, whatever.

In the meantime sit down and decide what it is you want and need in an employer. Write it down and prioritize it and then go with the company you feel best meets your needs and wants.

[liteguy]

Thanks for the reply, Iwas told even after going to a private school you will still go through training at your first job as a newbie, sooooo I thought that at least you will be paid if you go through schooling w/a co. also a good chance to be hired on. I here you about the commitment though, would be a deal breaker if you could'nt finish your pay back time.

[Uturn2001]

While you are in school, either private or a company school, you don't get paid. When you enter on the job training with a company is when you start making money.

Company schools run 2-4 weeks, avg 3.
Private schools typically run 3-6 weeks, with 4 weeks being typical.

On the job training usually lasts around 6 weeks during which time most companies pay a weekly salary. Once you complete OTJ and are upgraded from trainee to driver you start being paid on a CPM or however that company pays its drivers.

[GMAN]

There are some recruiters who misrepresent or outright lie to prospective drivers. It is always good to get any important promises in writing. I prefer to think that most people are honest.

[golfhobo]

liteguy said:

I've been reading alot of post about the trucking industry trying to get a fair perspective on the industry. I have been in the construction business for 25 years, I've worked in snow, sleet, rain, 110 + degree heat, 140 degree attics you name it I've been there over the last 25 years. I stuck to it because thats all I knew how to do, I also had a family to support.

You have done everything right up to this point. Doing your research is a GOOD start. You realize that conditions of either job can be tough, and you seem to have what it takes. You're not a "Wuss!" You understand committment, whether to your family OR your job. That's GOOD!

Don't know if you know this or not, but the "employment pool" for both construction and trucking is pretty much made up of the same people. i.e: when construction is hurting, they turn to trucking, and vice versa.

Well now I'm in my mid 40's and I need to do something different, the construction market is really bad, the old bod's not what it use to be. I've always wanted to drive trucks, I love to drive and to see the country.

Everyone "likes to drive" and see the country. But, that is a good start. But, there will be downsides. It takes alot of patience to be a truck driver. And alot of sacrifice. I will be the first to tell you that you WILL have opportunities to see country you have never seen, and even to have experiences that you would never otherwise have.... IF you get lucky, and IF you make an effort to DO so. But, it is not a given.

I started reading the posts on here and have a hard time getting a fair perspective on the industry. I here how bad some companies treat their employee's, how much some people hate the industry and have been lied to by recruiters.

Much of it is true. You must look out for yourself. But, much of it is perspective. Many don't like this phrase.... but, it IS what you make of it! Much will be up to how YOU handle the situation you find yourself in.

I want to be trained properly, [no cdl mills] money is not as inportant as getting into the right company. I live in the Boise area. I'm not sure if I should pay for my own schooling [sage is close] or sit down w/ a few of the local co. and see what they offer. I really want to be a well quallified driver, not just blow through schooling and get on the road.

SOME CDL mills are not so bad. As long as you get 160 hours, you are probably good. But, of course, a PTDI school could help make things easier for you. Sage has a good reputation. IF you get laid off from your job, the WIA might pay for your retraining into truck driving. Check with your local unemployment office. Getting your school on your own is always a better option. As for "blowing through school," what do you think of your ability to drive? MANY, MANY on here are scared to death of a big rig. Are you? Personally, without growing up on a farm like so many on here did, I NEVER doubted that I could drive a rig! All I needed was someone to explain the airbrakes, and what all the knobs did, etc. I can drive anything on wheels. I'm still relatively new to the business, but I have never so much as scraped something. But, that's just me.... and consistent with my confidence.

I guess what I'm asking is there a company or school that really seems to stand out above the others??? all the trucking co. ads seem to be the same old thing, weather there honostly trying to recruit good entry level drivers or run us through as fast as possible, I can't tell the difference.

This, indeed, is a problem with this industry. WAY too many lies being told! Sometimes, the best thing is just to take your chances, get INTO the industry, then prove yourself and move up! Personally, I think getting your CDL on your own, and then finding a smaller company to start with is best. I also happen to believe that "teaming" is a good way to start! You learn so much more, with less pressure on you, and have less chance of making a career ending mistake!

Everything Uturn said was true and good advice! I wish you the best, if this is what you have decided to do. Do you have young children at home? What does your wife (if you have one) have to say about this decision?

BTW, I was born just outside of Boise, in Caldwell. From there, the easiest way to get into trucking, and make good money, is to find a company that has shipping lanes to the East Coast and back. Western States regional will be difficult for a newbie (because of the mountains and snow.) Idaho potatoes to the east coast, and ?whatever? back is the safest and most profitable thing you can do. We Southerners love our OreIda french fries!

48 state, irregular routes and freight is not ALL that bad, but a company that bases their operation on east coast delivery will guarantee that you get the miles! Smaller companies are more likely to be based on such "expected" operations.

Good luck, Liteguy! I already KNOW that you have what it takes... as long as you aren't afraid of a truck! I understand how all the info and opinions make it hard to see your path, but it is not that bad. Just make a plan, then WORK the plan!

Start small, and be patient. Keep your nose clean, and make NO mistakes! After that for a few years, the world is your oyster!

[liteguy]

Great to here from all you guy's, it really help's to here from someone thats out there rather than some trucking co. ad. I do have kid's and a wife, 14year old [boy] 11year old[girl] married 23 years. My plan was to wait until my kid's were out of high school to pursue my new career, but things have changed a bit w/ the economy, 401k account, and the lack of building. My wife supports me in this, she know's that I can't keep working construction all my life, her step dad, who pasted away, was a truck driver so she knows what she's in for. I am studing the Idaho CDL hand book right now, I plan to read it several times to get the basic's. I really did'nt want to start school just before winter and start driving right in the middle of it. I will seriuosly start to look at the local co. here and see what driver training programs they offer, the big ones are Swift and Knight, and a few smaller ones, Cargo Express and I think Wills Shaw. The only school I have considered is Sage in Caldwell, I've been out there and have seen what they have to offer, they are a PTDI certified school, but are around $4,000. As I said I really want to become a well qualified driver, and what I am hearing from most of you is a private school is probably the way to go, and also not have the commitment issue.

I am not scared to drive a truck, I have driven lots of large vehicles and towed many as well. I'm not saying I'm ready to jump into a truck. I know that I must be trained properly and get many miles of road time to consider myself a commercial truck driver. I respect you guy's and gal's out there and believe you are not given the respect and pay you deserve. I will keep on working toward my goal, a little sooner than planed, and try like hell to find a co. that I can trust to do what they say they will do.

[Back on the Road]

Lite-Guy,

Here is/was my situation regarding schooling and landing a job. Recieved my TT license (Now Class A) back in 1978 when I was 18. I was working for a moving & storage company since the age of 13 so as soon as I turned 18 I got my license and on the road I went. (approx 4/5 yrs) I got out of trucking completely for 26 years.

When I decided to go back into trucking I was treated as a complete newbie, so I had to take a refresher course (actually it was longer than a refresher, I think 2-3 weeks)

Then when I applied to TMC Transportation and got accepted, I went to there training for 2-3 weeks, then out with a trainer for 5 weeks. Then I got cut loose on my own.

All in all, I felt I had some real decent training, especially on load securement both in classroom and on the road with my trainer. ( And by the way, had a real good trainer )

This was my experience, others may have totally different scenarios. GOOD LUCK !!!

[liteguy]

Hey back on the road, just wondering were you forced back into the business or did it because you missed it. I realize that its all about the people in any business, just trying to avoid the real bad ones. I know by reading all the post that there are co's to stay away from, i'm trying to find the better ones to start with. I've worked for the same people for over 15 years, i'm trying to get into a co. that I have a decent chance of staying with.

[Back on the Road]

Hey back on the road, just wondering were you forced back into the business or did it because you missed it. I realize that its all about the people in any business, just trying to avoid the real bad ones. I know by reading all the post that there are co's to stay away from, i'm trying to find the better ones to start with. I've worked for the same people for over 15 years, i'm trying to get into a co. that I have a decent chance of staying with.

Lteguy,

I enjoyed trucking during my earlier years, gained lots of valuable experience with the Company (Mayflower) that I had worked for. I left them and started working for the Dep of Defense as an Electrician Helper on Submarines, eventually working my way to Journeyman status then into Management. I always had a yearning to get back in the saddle and decided that I was going to do it when I retired.

I was offered an early retirement in 2006 (26 yrs serv) at age 46 and I grabbed it. I then took a few months off and when I started calling and looking for work as a Driver, I was told I needed a refresher due to the fact that I had been out of the seat for so long. I started calling around and found Cypress Truck Lines out of Jacksonville was offering classes and also with Grant money. So I signed up, paid 2,000 out of pocket as I received a grant for 2500 through them. (Grant was based on clean record)

Once I finished the school, I was accepted by TMC (I wanted to haul Flat-bed) so I went to there training in Columbia South Carolina. After finishing there training I was hooked-up with a Guy from Temple Ga where-by I drove from Fernandina Bch to his neck of the woods to meet him with his Truck. Gone M-F and would normally return Friday late night, sometimes before dark but rarely.

It was suppose to be 6 weeks but I got cut loose in 5 weeks. I then had to go to Des moines Iowa (Main Yard for Tmc) and tested out before getting assigned my own Truck. From there I banged the road from North-east(New York) out Mid-West down to the South east and round in round. I will say honestly that although it was a good experience, I missed my Family quite a bit. There were the occasional 14 days out. I then ended with a dedicated lane out of Florida that still kept me out Mon thru Fri. The money was ok however my expectations were higher. I ended up coming off the road to obtain working shift work for the Steel Workes Union.

They are cutting back the work-force so I am entertaining trucking again with the hopes of becoming an O/O with more control of my destiny than as a Company Driver. As you can see from my previous threads I have been looking into Container hauling. I know its not the best paying but it will get me home a whole lot more than the norm.

I hope this helps !
Joe

[GMAN]

There are a fair amount of loads originating and delivering in Florida and south Georgia. Since you want to get home frequently, it might be something you should consider.