Best Area/Region for Trucking Jobs?

[smashburn]

Hi Folks,

I am looking at Trucking (OTR) as my next career path, as my previous two careers are doing poorly .. Construction (which I'm getting too old to want to do) and Tech Support (which is all being sent to India these days). I need something a little more dependable that still pays a 'decent' wage. At 53 there are not a lot of options for career change paying $40K or so. My current tech job will end in Jan, their closing the company, so I will have to do something soon.

I am single with no kids so am a lot more 'open' to when I work. I am selling my house and considering just storing everything and working for a few years and getting 'somewhat' out of debt. (c.c.'s and such). I can stay with family/friends for my short off times and hotel it for my vacations .. w/o a mortgage I should have 'some' money available.

While I am in ATL now, I can move anywhere since I don't really intend to live anywhere .. if you know what I mean. So the question is, are there parts of the country where there are more/better jobs and/or better pay? Would it be worth relocating my base?

I have friends in the Raleigh NC and Denver CO areas and family in South Fla.

Also, how do you other 'single' drivers handle mail, etc when you're out so long? Anyone else doing this 'homeless' thing and just using a P.O. Box or UPS Store as a 'home'.

Lastly, I have one snag in my plan .. that I know of. I have a dog .. and a fairly big one. She is more or less my family and after 2 years I would hate to get rid of her. I can put her somewhere for the 2 months or so I'm in training with a Company, but really want to take her along after that. If it looks like she's not diggin' it, I'll have to make other arrangements for her then.

I have lived in small places with a dog before. I did 3 years on a boat in the keys with a dalmation .. it was awesome. This one is a lab/border collie mix and she loves to ride. We travel a lot and she's happy as long as she's w/ me.

I am not jumping into this totally unaware, I've thought about driving a lot over the years. Drove local in South Fla for a few years when I was young before my 'personal' driving issues forced them to let me go .. tickets etc.. Insurance would not cover me. I delivered base and doors to job sites for one (ass busting unloads) and oil (cases and drums) for another .. I loved it.

Sorry for the long spiel .. but you can't advise me if you don't know my story.

Thanks, Steve

[Orangetxguy]

Trucking is tough right now. Lot's of sitting happening because of the economy. Your in a good area though for a job, whether it be OTR or "Local". If you went through a reputable CDL program in a Community College, you could get into a local gig fairly easily, and keep your house, or get an apartment. Fuel hauling is still a good job that is hiring in your area. There area couple decent regional carriers that are based out of Atlanta that may give you a chance too. KIA is building their new plant down in LaGrange and that will require a ton of truck drivers to service it.

[smashburn]

Trucking is tough right now. Lot's of sitting happening because of the economy. Your in a good area though for a job, whether it be OTR or "Local". If you went through a reputable CDL program in a Community College, you could get into a local gig fairly easily, and keep your house, or get an apartment. Fuel hauling is still a good job that is hiring in your area. There area couple decent regional carriers that are based out of Atlanta that may give you a chance too. KIA is building their new plant down in LaGrange and that will require a ton of truck drivers to service it.

Thanks .. I will definately go to school, there are quite a few in the area here. Once I get closer to choosing one I'll check here for any background on my choices. I'm going to try to pay for the school so I don't get caught in the 'contract' deal, but will have to see how cash is by then .. and if my Company is going to come through with some severans pay as promised. I've been here 2.5 years so would 'expect' a month or so pay plus any unused vacation .. but who knows.

I'd still rather not have the house or an apt for now, if I can make that work. Why pay $600/mo or so ($1500/mo for the house I'm in) for a place I see 3 days a month. I'd rather put the money towards paying off debt .. I have a lot. Of couse, I may not sell anyway .. in this market. I have a nice place though and in the $170K range .. which are the houses that are still moving .. or so they say.

I can't start my CDL training until after Jan 1st, so won't be hitting the market until Feb. Hopefully things will loosen up a bit by then. You never know.

Of course, if my house sells before the job ends, I might buy something small .. condo or townhouse (while I still have good credit/job history) .. and can rent it out later if I go OTR. It's all a cr**shoot!

Thanks!

[GMAN]

Pay is pretty much the same no matter where you live. If you wanted to get home frequently Atlanta would be about as good of a choice as anywhere. There is a lot of freight that travels through the region. Freight is off right now and most people are doing more sitting than usual. The time of year coupled with the economy makes it a little more challenging to find decent paying loads. Since it has been some time since you have driven you will likely need to start with one of the larger carriers. The Southeast, Northeast or Midwest are generally the better places to base for freight. Almost anywhere there are major interstates can be good for a driver. I would stay out of the West. Since you don't need to get home frequently it may not be an issue. Some have mentioned Millis having a training facility in Cartersville. That might work for you since you are so close. Names that come up frequently are Swift, Schneider, Roehl, US Xpress, Covenant, CRST among others.