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Thread: Trucking Companies That Hire CDL School Grads

  1. #1
    SickRick is offline Board Regular SickRick is on the right path.  You could probably safely loan them a quarter.
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    Default Trucking Companies That Hire CDL School Grads

    Since most companies are looking for 1-2 years experience - which ones hire CDL School Graduates?

    I'll be attending school at the local County Votech here in South Florida (graduate in July), so I guess the focus of the question narrows to companies where you don't have to attend THEIR SCHOOL and become a slave to the student loan.

    I also noticed that most companies will NOT hire out of South Florida. Personally, once the bank takes my house (foreclosure/bankruptcy) I plan on putting "what's left" in storage and hitting the road for at least a year - so relocation/home time is not an issue. Since I'm "terminally single" I don't have a wife or g/f to come home to - so relocation to the "best area" for a better job after I've "paid my dues" is more important than where I'm living now - though for "tax purposes" I'd like to keep Florida my "legal residence" (no state income or personal property taxes).

    Informative board here. I'll appreciate all suggestions...

    Rick

  2. #2
    thbogle is offline Member thbogle is an unknown poster at this point.  Don't let him/her around power tools just yet.
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    No company comes to mind that is actually hiring Grads in south Florida although Im sure someone has to be. Check your local Truck stop and pick up a few of the employment rags (RPM is one that pops into my head first) and check them even start calling and seeing if they hire grads and seeing what their requirements are. Most will have a hiring map listed in the ad if not you can always find their website and check their. Remember there are some companies right now on a hiring freeze. Check with Covenant, Im not sure if they hire from Florida and they arent the greatest company but its a start and they dont make you go to their driving school. You can always get a year there and then move to someone who will treat you better

    It seems to me most companies will hire north of Orlando and in the Panhandle but you must stay out x number of weeks. I would say if you have a friend up there you can trust to recieve your mail and hold it for you, see if you can rent a room for say a 1$ a month so you can have an address up there to make it easier for you to get hired. Just watch it though some companies have quit hiring from Florida all together because freight is so cheap there.

    Hope this helps, Its not much but I'm sure someone will come along shortly thats more learned than I. Maybe they can help more than I have. Good luck in your venture.
    A job with a poor company and a little income is better than no job at all.

  3. #3
    Daytripper's Avatar
    Daytripper is offline Rookie Daytripper is an unknown poster at this point.  Don't let him/her around power tools just yet.
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    My situation is very similiar. I'm north of Orlando, and I've been considering having an "out-of-state" address as a "mailing address", while still maintaining my Florida citizenship.

    If I actually had to change my state of residency, Texas or Nevada might be good choices.h Good luck, I finish Mid-FL Tech on June 25th.

    In the meantime, Orlando and Orange County residents, if you see a tractor/trailer with Mid FL Tech on the doors, be very afraid!

    Tom

  4. #4
    blaster man is offline Rookie blaster man is an unknown poster at this point.  Don't let him/her around power tools just yet.
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    Hey Rick what school did you go to? I went to Mcfatter in davie. Just use a address north of orlando. Companies don't like to come down here.

  5. #5
    geargrinder is offline Member geargrinder is an unknown poster at this point.  Don't let him/her around power tools just yet.
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    It's kind of a shame that new CDL's are still being pumped out. The jobs just aren't out there for inexperienced drivers.

    Many of you are displaced workers eligible for government sponsored re-training. I strongly suggest you don't hop into the CDL school racket. You get one shot at free re-training.

    Use it wisely. Training for the medical field, higher tech blue collar - CNC, HVAC, etc. will serve you better in the long run.

    If you have a decent head on your shoulders you should consider fast food. It's easy to joke about burger flippers. But, you have a better chance at making
    $50 - $100k in fast food than trucking. You get the added benefit of being home and having friends and supportive relationships.

    This is a rotten industry. The government is out to make your life rotten. Shippers and receivers treat you like the scum of the earth (good or bad attitude, fat slob or adonis, wearing greasy sweats or dressed to the 9's - you are still a driver). You sleep in a can. You shower in pig styes. The Corporate Office is an army whose sole mission is cut your pay and make your life miserable. The motoring public generally hates you. You work irregular hours and are constantly tired. You eat garbage - because you are always in a hurry to get to the next place to "sit." You lose touch with family and friends.

    There is no glamor. The money isn't very good. And everyone is trying to get into your pocket.
    Last edited by geargrinder; 05-02-2009 at 08:44 AM.
    "this prisoner / Of the fine white lines / Of the white lines on the free, free way"

  6. #6
    matcat's Avatar
    matcat is offline Senior Board Member matcat is on the right path.  You could probably safely loan them a quarter.
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    It's kind of a shame that new CDL's are still being pumped out. The jobs just aren't out there for inexperienced drivers.

    Many of you are displaced workers eligible for government sponsored re-training. I strongly suggest you don't hop into the CDL school racket. You get one shot at free re-training.

    Use it wisely. Training for the medical field, higher tech blue collar - CNC, HVAC, etc. will serve you better in the long run.

    If you have a decent head on your shoulders you should consider fast food. It's easy to joke about burger flippers. But, you have a better chance at making
    $50 - $100k in fast food than trucking. You get the added benefit of being home and having friends and supportive relationships.

    This is a rotten industry. The government is out to make your life rotten. Shippers and receivers treat you like the scum of the earth (good or bad attitude, fat slob or adonis, wearing greasy sweats or dressed to the 9's - you are still a driver). You sleep in a can. You shower in pig styes. The Corporate Office is an army whose sole mission is cut your pay and make your life miserable. The motoring public generally hates you. You work irregular hours and are constantly tired. You eat garbage - because you are always in a hurry to get to the next place to "sit." You lose touch with family and friends.

    There is no glamor. The money isn't very good. And everyone is trying to get into your pocket.
    Sounds like you need to get away from whatever coolie carrier you are with!
    My Trucking Blog: http://matcattruckin.blogspot.com/
    Website I am making for drivers: http://www.4thedriver.com

    As I sit looking all around,
    Confusion and uncertainty is all I found.
    The answers are there,
    But I do not know where.
    Optimistic and hopeful dreams,
    Are all I have so it seems.
    The future I do not know,
    So all I can do is take it slow.
    But I do know it will work out,
    So I wait and watch without a doubt
    .

  7. #7
    Sealord is offline Senior Board Member Sealord is on the right path.  You could probably safely loan them a quarter.
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    Default 20/Taxes

    I've been considering having an "out-of-state" address as a "mailing address", while still maintaining my Florida citizenship." Trucking companies, insurers, DOT, and TSA like to have a driver's home address and address on the CDL match. Won't even get into the federal/state personal income tax angle. BOL

  8. #8
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    DDCavi is offline Member DDCavi has a checkered past and should take up chess.
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    Quote Originally Posted by matcat View Post
    Sounds like you need to get away from whatever coolie carrier you are with!
    HA, once again someone misusing the stupid CC comment. Hes far from working for a CC. I think he basically hits "trucking" dead on. Ive only had my CDL for 10 months, and it was the biggest mistake I made getting it so far. Of course no school is going to be upfront with newbies getting their CDLs and tell them there isnt **** for work. If I could go back to school itd probably be for HVAC. I now have a $6k loan to pay ($15k if I make minimal payments for 20 YEARS!) and dont have a job right now.
    Concrete Truck Driver

  9. #9
    SickRick is offline Board Regular SickRick is on the right path.  You could probably safely loan them a quarter.
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    Quote Originally Posted by DDCavi View Post
    HA, once again someone misusing the stupid CC comment. Hes far from working for a CC. I think he basically hits "trucking" dead on. Ive only had my CDL for 10 months, and it was the biggest mistake I made getting it so far. Of course no school is going to be upfront with newbies getting their CDLs and tell them there isnt **** for work. If I could go back to school itd probably be for HVAC. I now have a $6k loan to pay ($15k if I make minimal payments for 20 YEARS!) and dont have a job right now.
    Sorry to hear that...

    I'm going to a local county Vo-Tech. Very good course - 9 weeks/1,000 Road Miles - $1,875 with books. Paid for out of pocket already.

    Sorry that all these guys who just got into it, haven't found it to be what they expected - or had UNJUSTIFIABLY HIGH expectations.

    I'm going into it expecting the WORST for the first couple of years. Have NO HOME OR FAMILY to worry about - so I can concentrate on THE JOB, giving it my best shot and letting the chips fall where they may.

    $6K for a student loan is WAY OUT OF HAND. I guess going into a new profession IN DEBT can make anyone a little sour on it. PLEASE TELL ME you didn't LEASE A TRUCK TOO...

    Rick

  10. #10
    matcat's Avatar
    matcat is offline Senior Board Member matcat is on the right path.  You could probably safely loan them a quarter.
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    Quote Originally Posted by DDCavi View Post
    HA, once again someone misusing the stupid CC comment. Hes far from working for a CC. I think he basically hits "trucking" dead on. Ive only had my CDL for 10 months, and it was the biggest mistake I made getting it so far. Of course no school is going to be upfront with newbies getting their CDLs and tell them there isnt **** for work. If I could go back to school itd probably be for HVAC. I now have a $6k loan to pay ($15k if I make minimal payments for 20 YEARS!) and dont have a job right now.
    No, it is not dead on. I will break it down for you even.
    It's kind of a shame that new CDL's are still being pumped out. The jobs just aren't out there for inexperienced drivers.
    This I agree with
    Many of you are displaced workers eligible for government sponsored re-training. I strongly suggest you don't hop into the CDL school racket. You get one shot at free re-training.

    Use it wisely. Training for the medical field, higher tech blue collar - CNC, HVAC, etc. will serve you better in the long run.
    Yes there are a lot of re-training incentives out there, but the field you go in is up to you, if HVAC/Medical/Blue Collar etc was so wonderful, everyone would do it. Sorry but you will not catch me crawling around under peoples houses with all them nasty bugs trying to fix someones air vent, nor will you catch me in a hospital getting puked on.
    If you have a decent head on your shoulders you should consider fast food. It's easy to joke about burger flippers. But, you have a better chance at making
    $50 - $100k in fast food than trucking. You get the added benefit of being home and having friends and supportive relationships.
    That was the most ridiculousness thing I ever read on this board ever. I have a relative that worked for McD for 42 years! She worked her way up the management chain, all the way to regional manager, she only made 45k doing that. Sorry but if you think you are going to make a good living flippin burgers part time (they dont hire full time btw) at minium wage, then go ahead, have a nice happy home in that cardboard box of yours.
    This is a rotten industry.
    That is your opinion, certainly not mine.
    The government is out to make your life rotten.
    I cannot disagree with that.
    Shippers and receivers treat you like the scum of the earth (good or bad attitude, fat slob or adonis, wearing greasy sweats or dressed to the 9's - you are still a driver).
    Again I disagree, I have been to many shippers and recievers like that yes, but I have also been to a lot that where REALLY nice. Also please note this is not industry wide. Doing speciality freight it is quite the opposite, they WANT you to get loaded fast and quick, and the reciever WANTS you there and to get it off fast and quick because they need it, and they treat you good.
    You sleep in a can.
    My Volvo 780 is far from a can, and when I drove a Columbia, it was far from a can too. I will agree a truck is not a house, and it is not even an RV! But it is what you make it. If you didn't like the conditions in your truck, you should of done something about it.
    You shower in pig styes.
    Your choice for going to nasty truck stops instead of the clean ones.
    The Corporate Office is an army whose sole mission is cut your pay and make your life miserable.
    In a COOLIE CARRIER yes you are right, but guess what, not everyone drives for a big mega coolie carrier, I don't anymore, and probably never will again.
    The motoring public generally hates you.
    There are those that hate you, but most of them do not hate you, most of them just have no clue how to drive safely around a truck or understand a trucks limits.
    You work irregular hours and are constantly tired.
    Yes you drive irregular hours, it is a part of the job, should of realized that before you ever stepped foot into whatever building you did to get your CDL. Constantly tired? No, far from it.
    You eat garbage
    That is your choice. You have the choice to eat whatever you want.
    because you are always in a hurry to get to the next place to "sit." You lose touch with family and friends.
    Again, same thing as irregular hours, it is a part of the job, should of realized this when they told you you will be out 3+ weeks at a time.

    Sorry if this post seems rather blunt and hurts your feelings, I don't care. Life is what you make of it, you are responsable for your own actions, no one else is. If you want to eat crap for food, well that is your choice, you want to look at your truck as a can, again, that is your choice to look at it like that.

    I love what I do, I love this industry, and I love my 'can'! If you don't, that is fine, you are entitled to like or dislike what you want, but do not go bashing it just because it isn't for you after you found out it was nothing like you thought it would be.

    There is no glamor. The money isn't very good. And everyone is trying to get into your pocket.
    My Trucking Blog: http://matcattruckin.blogspot.com/
    Website I am making for drivers: http://www.4thedriver.com

    As I sit looking all around,
    Confusion and uncertainty is all I found.
    The answers are there,
    But I do not know where.
    Optimistic and hopeful dreams,
    Are all I have so it seems.
    The future I do not know,
    So all I can do is take it slow.
    But I do know it will work out,
    So I wait and watch without a doubt
    .

  11. #11
    DDCavi's Avatar
    DDCavi is offline Member DDCavi has a checkered past and should take up chess.
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    Quote Originally Posted by SickRick View Post

    $6K for a student loan is WAY OUT OF HAND. I guess going into a new profession IN DEBT can make anyone a little sour on it. PLEASE TELL ME you didn't LEASE A TRUCK TOO...

    Rick
    Yea $6k is unreasonable and thats just lowballing it, its actually more. Unfortunately I live in Maine and **** doesnt come cheap here. I went into it thinking the same as you but after 9 months Ive been laid off from Superior Carriers. Maybe Im being stubborn and unrealistic but Im not spending 2 months away from home at a pop with a **** company that doesnt give two ****s about me just to do my time.

    Trucking was a hard way of life, now its just a ****. Im trying to get a job in a dump truck where Id be home every night and happy as hell.
    Concrete Truck Driver

  12. #12
    SickRick is offline Board Regular SickRick is on the right path.  You could probably safely loan them a quarter.
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    Quote Originally Posted by DDCavi View Post
    Yea $6k is unreasonable and thats just lowballing it, its actually more. Unfortunately I live in Maine and **** doesnt come cheap here. I went into it thinking the same as you but after 9 months Ive been laid off from Superior Carriers. Maybe Im being stubborn and unrealistic but Im not spending 2 months away from home at a pop with a **** company that doesnt give two ****s about me just to do my time.

    Trucking was a hard way of life, now its just a ****. Im trying to get a job in a dump truck where Id be home every night and happy as hell.
    I can understand it would be a PITA in Maine. I too could have opted for a more expensive proposition for driving school - but I chose to go for a longer duration, at a local county school (were residence makes a difference in tuition), so I could live at home and not take a "forced placement". If I were forced to take a $6K hot for school, I may have reconsidered. Again, it sucks to start a new career, financially in the hold.

    South Florida is also a BAD PLACE to try and score an OTR gig from - hence, my having an Atlanta address I can use to apply from.

    Some peoples situations are different. Mine is similar to matcat - I won't (and don't) desire to have a "home" (that I'll never be in) to maintain, have no "family" to want/need to get home to - and the OTR lifestyle is one that fits my lifestyle/attitude quite well.

    As mat said - it is NOT FOR EVERYBODY - but just because it doesn't happen to be FOR YOU - doesn't make it BAD - just not for YOU.

    I find it highly unlikely that I'll be "flipping burgers", or doing ANYTHING that keeps me in one place for too long - that's WHY I've been self-employed for the last 20+ years. I probably COULD land a 40-60K a year gig, doing IT work - but I HATE IT. If I have to deal with ONE MORE LYING END USER (I don't know HOW that virus got onto my computer), I'll SLAP THEM IN THE F-IN FACE.

    I am SO LOOKING FORWARD to just pulling the damn plug, and getting out there where the only people that are WHINING, are ones I can ELIMINATE by just turning the damn CB off.

    One of the guys at the TWIC application station, told me to get in touch with him when I'm near to graduation - he has leads for a number of LOCAL GIGS for newbies. I'm not even sure I would CONSIDER THEM, as the object for me, is to GET OUT ON THE ROAD. Not stay here in SoFla...

    Rick

  13. #13
    geargrinder is offline Member geargrinder is an unknown poster at this point.  Don't let him/her around power tools just yet.
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    Quote Originally Posted by matcat View Post
    Sorry if this post seems rather blunt and hurts your feelings, I don't care. Life is what you make of it, you are responsable for your own actions, no one else is. If you want to eat crap for food, well that is your choice, you want to look at your truck as a can, again, that is your choice to look at it like that.

    I love what I do, I love this industry, and I love my 'can'! If you don't, that is fine, you are entitled to like or dislike what you want, but do not go bashing it just because it isn't for you after you found out it was nothing like you thought it would be.

    You actually think you are hurting someone's feelings? Boy do you have warped opinion of your self importance.

    You and the other Mr. Low Expectations should become a team operation.

    The "love" ofyour truck indicates to me that it must be nicer than your single wide at the Lazy Dayz Trailer Park.

    A point by point rebuttal tells me you are again waiting somewhere and are whiling away your time. Must be one of them shippers or receivers that are so happy to see you that they don't want you to leave.

    I still haven't decided if I should pity you, or be happy for you. In any event, it seems you found your life's calling - BREAKER ONE NINE!
    Last edited by geargrinder; 05-04-2009 at 09:13 PM.
    "this prisoner / Of the fine white lines / Of the white lines on the free, free way"

  14. #14
    geargrinder is offline Member geargrinder is an unknown poster at this point.  Don't let him/her around power tools just yet.
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    Quote Originally Posted by SickRick View Post
    I can understand it would be a PITA in Maine. I too could have opted for a more expensive proposition for driving school - but I chose to go for a longer duration, at a local county school (were residence makes a difference in tuition), so I could live at home and not take a "forced placement". If I were forced to take a $6K hot for school, I may have reconsidered. Again, it sucks to start a new career, financially in the hold.

    South Florida is also a BAD PLACE to try and score an OTR gig from - hence, my having an Atlanta address I can use to apply from.

    Some peoples situations are different. Mine is similar to matcat - I won't (and don't) desire to have a "home" (that I'll never be in) to maintain, have no "family" to want/need to get home to - and the OTR lifestyle is one that fits my lifestyle/attitude quite well.

    As mat said - it is NOT FOR EVERYBODY - but just because it doesn't happen to be FOR YOU - doesn't make it BAD - just not for YOU.

    I find it highly unlikely that I'll be "flipping burgers", or doing ANYTHING that keeps me in one place for too long - that's WHY I've been self-employed for the last 20+ years. I probably COULD land a 40-60K a year gig, doing IT work - but I HATE IT. If I have to deal with ONE MORE LYING END USER (I don't know HOW that virus got onto my computer), I'll SLAP THEM IN THE F-IN FACE.

    I am SO LOOKING FORWARD to just pulling the damn plug, and getting out there where the only people that are WHINING, are ones I can ELIMINATE by just turning the damn CB off.

    One of the guys at the TWIC application station, told me to get in touch with him when I'm near to graduation - he has leads for a number of LOCAL GIGS for newbies. I'm not even sure I would CONSIDER THEM, as the object for me, is to GET OUT ON THE ROAD. Not stay here in SoFla...

    Rick
    Good luck dude. I can go months without turning my CB on. Something always intrudes on my endless trucking vacation that reminds it is a low-paying, thankless job. FWIW, I work for one of the better companies.

    Don't get me wrong, there are good days. They are mainly Saturdays and Sundays. Our offices are closed, the truck stops are thinned out, and there aren't as many low IQ truckers on the road. After a while you will realize the biggest jerks on the road are your fellow truckers.
    "this prisoner / Of the fine white lines / Of the white lines on the free, free way"

  15. #15
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    matcat is offline Senior Board Member matcat is on the right path.  You could probably safely loan them a quarter.
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    You actually think you are hurting someone's feelings? Boy do you have warped opinion of your self importance.

    You and the other Mr. Low Expectations should become a team operation.

    The "love" or your truck indicates to me that it must be nicer than your single wide at the Lazy Dayz Trailer Park.

    A point by point rebuttal tells me you are again waiting somewhere and are whiling away your time. Must be one of them shippers or receivers that are so happy to see you that they don't want you to leave.

    I still haven't decided if I should pity you, or be happy for you. In any event, it seems you found your life's calling - BREAKER ONE NINE!
    I don't have low expectations, quite the contrary. I came into the industry with the same thoughts and ideas everyone else has when they come on here asking questions. However I listened to what everyone said, and I set realistic expectations, I didn't set myself up for false hopes, and guess what? I did better then my own lowered expectations even with the largest and evilest of all carriers in North America! Also if you had ever read any of my other posts, you would find that I think one can make good money in the first couple years of this industry, however you have to play your cards right. But you will never know how to play them if you are too stubborn to listen to those that do it every day, day in and day out.

    Also if you ever bothered to read any of my other posts, including the post just before yours, you would of gotten the clue that I DO NOT MAINTAIN A HOME! My truck is my home, I use a relatives address for my license, but I certainly don't live there. And what is wrong with double wide trailers, you like to stereotype people for the type of home they do live in?

    Also if you had followed one of my threads, you would know I am in a 'transition' right now. Actually I need to post an update there... but basically I go back OTR next week, I am doing some local work for someone right now while I wait for the small 3 truck company I am going to be driving for get's his 4th truck, and even then, I don't go crazy trying to burn myself out doing 3000+ miles a week because I get paid .26cpm and can't afford to live unless the truck is moving 11 hours a day, no, I drive for companies that actually pay me what I am worth and treat me like a human being, and I drive smarter not harder.

    And you know what, I drove for SWIFT for 6 months OTR, I had a preventable, was put out of the game for almost a year, and managed to get back in with an O/O, drove for him for the last 3 months. He couldn't afford to run the truck anymore so he leased it out to someone. The person he leased it too is an agent for a larger company, that was not able to qualify me because of my preventable, so I am doing some local work for him under HIS authority until this other guy gets the truck ready for me so I can go back OTR. That right there is 9 months verifable OTR experience. When I had that preventable, everyone on here told me I was screwed, it would be years before I would be able to drive for anyone again, most of the small companies want 2+ years experince, etc etc etc. But I worked my arse off to get back into the business, took me a year, but I did it. I say all this because I want to show people that it is not impossible to advance and suceed in this industry because of a mistake or lack of time put in. It certainly isn't easy, and quite honestly I am one of the few to beat some of the odds. But I will tell you this, I learned more in the last few months then I would of ever learned driving for a mega carrier.

    NOW with ALL of that said... There are people popping in ALL of the time on this forum with no knowaldge or understanding of this industry, and all they have are preconcieved notions that it pays good, and have this wierd idea that it is some amazing, enchanted job to have. Those of us with any experience will try to explain to them the realities of it, and see a picture painted so different then what they thought, and it makes it look so negative, then you get those that have been in the industry, and get screwed usually because of their own mistakes, and try to paint and even more negative picture. Hey, I had an accident, it was my own damn fault, I learned from it, got back on the horse and now when I ride I am a hell of a lot more careful.

    I love what I do, but IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE!!! Plain and simple.

    Now I will get off of my soap box
    My Trucking Blog: http://matcattruckin.blogspot.com/
    Website I am making for drivers: http://www.4thedriver.com

    As I sit looking all around,
    Confusion and uncertainty is all I found.
    The answers are there,
    But I do not know where.
    Optimistic and hopeful dreams,
    Are all I have so it seems.
    The future I do not know,
    So all I can do is take it slow.
    But I do know it will work out,
    So I wait and watch without a doubt
    .

  16. #16
    matcat's Avatar
    matcat is offline Senior Board Member matcat is on the right path.  You could probably safely loan them a quarter.
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    Good luck dude. I can go months without turning my CB on. Something always intrudes on my endless trucking vacation that reminds it is a low-paying, thankless job. FWIW, I work for one of the better companies.

    Don't get me wrong, there are good days. They are mainly Saturdays and Sundays. Our offices are closed, the truck stops are thinned out, and there aren't as many low IQ truckers on the road. After a while you will realize the biggest jerks on the road are your fellow truckers.
    Perhaps you should socialize with them more often in PERSON. I keep my CB on 100% of the time, I NEVER turn it off. Yeah I like to mess around on the radio, get all up in any conversation that goes on, have a few CB fights, BS, but I also am the first to get on there and offer any help I can when someone asks. How many other trucks have you stepped up to and just talked with the driver? Even better, how many have you ever actually gotten into and hung out? How many drivers have you invited into your truck to hang out? I find myself doing this at least once a week. I have made a few good friends from drivers I just casually met at the T/S.

    The CB is a LOT like an internet forum, people get all silly on it, behind the anonymity of it, but actually talk to them in person, and you will find they are just like you.

    There are idiots and jerks everywhere, it is a part of life. Last time I was at the I80 T/S, I got a flat drive, I was over at the air hose trying to get it re-inflated, but the bead was broken, so I couldn't get it to inflate. Now the O/O I was driving for did not have the money to get it fixed, and I had to drive it all the way to NC to deliver it to where he was leasing it to. I got on the CB, explained my prob, and another driver came over to try to help. First he tried to use some either to blow it back on, but it was pointless, so he ended up actually PAYING to get the shop to fix it, I didn't want him to and protested, but he insisted. So I faxed the invoice to my boss with his # and address so he would get paid back. Just that same morning there at the I80, another driver got on the radio because he couldn't get his truck started, his batteries died. I happened to have jumpers, so I dropped my trailer, and went over there and jumped it for him, and we got it started.

    Sorry but I don't agree with you, yeah there are some morons out there, but get to know your fellow drivers, you will find they are a lot more like you then you think.

    You keep making me get on my soap box :P
    My Trucking Blog: http://matcattruckin.blogspot.com/
    Website I am making for drivers: http://www.4thedriver.com

    As I sit looking all around,
    Confusion and uncertainty is all I found.
    The answers are there,
    But I do not know where.
    Optimistic and hopeful dreams,
    Are all I have so it seems.
    The future I do not know,
    So all I can do is take it slow.
    But I do know it will work out,
    So I wait and watch without a doubt
    .

  17. #17
    geargrinder is offline Member geargrinder is an unknown poster at this point.  Don't let him/her around power tools just yet.
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    Quote Originally Posted by matcat View Post
    Perhaps you should socialize with them more often in PERSON. I keep my CB on 100% of the time, I NEVER turn it off. Yeah I like to mess around on the radio, get all up in any conversation that goes on, have a few CB fights, BS, but I also am the first to get on there and offer any help I can when someone asks. How many other trucks have you stepped up to and just talked with the driver? Even better, how many have you ever actually gotten into and hung out? How many drivers have you invited into your truck to hang out? I find myself doing this at least once a week. I have made a few good friends from drivers I just casually met at the T/S.

    The CB is a LOT like an internet forum, people get all silly on it, behind the anonymity of it, but actually talk to them in person, and you will find they are just like you.

    There are idiots and jerks everywhere, it is a part of life. Last time I was at the I80 T/S, I got a flat drive, I was over at the air hose trying to get it re-inflated, but the bead was broken, so I couldn't get it to inflate. Now the O/O I was driving for did not have the money to get it fixed, and I had to drive it all the way to NC to deliver it to where he was leasing it to. I got on the CB, explained my prob, and another driver came over to try to help. First he tried to use some either to blow it back on, but it was pointless, so he ended up actually PAYING to get the shop to fix it, I didn't want him to and protested, but he insisted. So I faxed the invoice to my boss with his # and address so he would get paid back. Just that same morning there at the I80, another driver got on the radio because he couldn't get his truck started, his batteries died. I happened to have jumpers, so I dropped my trailer, and went over there and jumped it for him, and we got it started.

    Sorry but I don't agree with you, yeah there are some morons out there, but get to know your fellow drivers, you will find they are a lot more like you then you think.

    You keep making me get on my soap box :P
    MATCAT: I apologize for getting snippy. I am glad this is working out for you. Live frugally on the road and you should be able to build-up a bit of nest egg/bankroll. You are sacrificing a lot, and in a position to build up some savings.

    Peace/truce.
    "this prisoner / Of the fine white lines / Of the white lines on the free, free way"

  18. #18
    belpre122's Avatar
    belpre122 is offline Local Advocate Senior Board Member belpre122 is a distinguished poster and probably helps little old ladies across the street. belpre122 is a distinguished poster and probably helps little old ladies across the street. belpre122 is a distinguished poster and probably helps little old ladies across the street. belpre122 is a distinguished poster and probably helps little old ladies across the street.
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    Quote Originally Posted by DDCavi View Post
    Yea $6k is unreasonable and thats just lowballing it, its actually more. Unfortunately I live in Maine and **** doesnt come cheap here. I went into it thinking the same as you but after 9 months Ive been laid off from Superior Carriers. Maybe Im being stubborn and unrealistic but Im not spending 2 months away from home at a pop with a **** company that doesnt give two ****s about me just to do my time.

    Trucking was a hard way of life, now its just a ****. Im trying to get a job in a dump truck where Id be home every night and happy as hell.

    Hey Cavi, I've thought quite a bit about this post since viewing it yesterday. Ya know, you sure have been quite insistent upon pointing out how full of **** I am in the past year or so about trucking in general and particularly the hardships faced by the OTR community.

    Nope, this is not an "I told you so" post. Consider it more of a wake up call. Your first trucking job lays you off. So you are throwing in the towel?

    Typical defeatist/apologist/'woe is me' thinking on your part. I'm sad to see that you have been overtaken so easily. You should have just let that training company pick your pocket and be done with it.

    I gave some thought last night as to what I would do if I were faced with your particular situation. There really are a lot of positives on your side. You can't see any of these positives because you don't want to. I won't waste your time with any of my suggestions, as I don't know ****.
    ..........Swift has had to add to drivers' paychecks to ensure they are paid at least $7.25 an hour, the federal minimum wage........... ~dailybreeze.com

  19. #19
    Hawkjr's Avatar
    Hawkjr is offline Senior Board Member Hawkjr is a trusted source of information and would probably pick up your dry cleaning. Hawkjr is a trusted source of information and would probably pick up your dry cleaning.
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    People just won't learn... Everybody want's the perfect job right out of school! No one can be patient and wait for brighter things, sad, just sad..

  20. #20
    DDCavi's Avatar
    DDCavi is offline Member DDCavi has a checkered past and should take up chess.
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    Quote Originally Posted by belpre122 View Post
    Hey Cavi, I've thought quite a bit about this post since viewing it yesterday. Ya know, you sure have been quite insistent upon pointing out how full of **** I am in the past year or so about trucking in general and particularly the hardships faced by the OTR community.

    Nope, this is not an "I told you so" post. Consider it more of a wake up call. Your first trucking job lays you off. So you are throwing in the towel?

    Typical defeatist/apologist/'woe is me' thinking on your part. I'm sad to see that you have been overtaken so easily. You should have just let that training company pick your pocket and be done with it.

    I gave some thought last night as to what I would do if I were faced with your particular situation. There really are a lot of positives on your side. You can't see any of these positives because you don't want to. I won't waste your time with any of my suggestions, as I don't know ****.

    And once again, you decide to have the know-it-all attitude. Who says Im throwing in the towel? You obviously have YOUR opinions of what I am thinking, but theyre YOUR opinions and they are wrong.

    Im far from defeated and that was not a feel bad for me post. I was simply stating what has happened to me. Also I didnt go to a training company, it was a school. And I fully intend on using my CDL, but im not signing my life away to a bull**** company just to use it.

    And I dont know where all your "i dont know ****" comments are coming from?! I have never ONCE said that to you. Also its been months and months since you and I have even had any kind of spats... Time to let it go big boy.
    Concrete Truck Driver

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