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bentstrider
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Posts: 88
Location: Hesperia, CA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:05 am Post subject: Trucking in 2010. |
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Seeing as how I'm running into dead-ends as far as getting back into driving right now, what's everyones consensus on the driving picture for that particular year?
I'm using this as a pessimistic approximation of when most companies will usually consider hiring someone after having an accident as foolish as mine was.
It's already been six months, making that another 2.5 years to go.
If I don't find something else to do within that timeframe, I'll consider myself a bit, useless.
I've already decided upon finding some type of job in the San Bernardino-area in order to go to school for the Diesel-Tech certification they have at San Bernardino Valley College.
I tried looking for something equivalent at the local, community college where I'm at, but they seem to only care for people wanting to go for some academic, rather than technical, education.
So, I figure if I could get that Diesel-cert and wrench for the remainder of the time, I figure I would've gained, and also retained most of the knowledge of how to properly operate a semi-tractor unit.
In the end, I'm just thinking to myself; "I'll keep plugging away at getting back into this line of work, regardless. I'm not going to be told no, for all eternity." |
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GMAN
Joined: 13 Feb 2005
Posts: 9128
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:27 am Post subject: |
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| You may want to check with some of the local truck dealers. It could give you some exposure to the diesel mechanic side of the business and if you still have your CDL you could move trucks around the lot and perhaps even do some pickup and delivery for them. Companies are reluctant to give a careless driver a chance due to the high perceived risk with insurance claims. |
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bentstrider
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Posts: 88
Location: Hesperia, CA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:54 am Post subject: |
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GMAN wrote: Companies are reluctant to give a careless driver a chance due to the high perceived risk with insurance claims.
You could call it carelessness, but I also thought it was my rush to get back home and get some paperwork filled out that led to myself becoming fatigued.
Not to sound like a downer, but in the future I'll focus on the task at hand and throw the rest of the future-BS, on the back-burner.
Last time I try to set my sights high, that's for sure. |
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BigWheels
Joined: 26 Aug 2006
Posts: 428
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: Trucking in 2010. |
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bentstrider wrote: ...So, I figure if I could get that Diesel-cert and wrench for the remainder of the time, I figure I would've gained, and also retained most of the knowledge of how to properly operate a semi-tractor unit."
That's the kind of attitude that will take you far!
A CDL holder + Diesel mechanic smarts = a more valuable individual (both for himself and for a company).
Wishing the best for you! |
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bentstrider
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Posts: 88
Location: Hesperia, CA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Well, if I do have to end up waiting until then to drive again(let's hope not), I just want to be certain that truck-driving will still be going strong. |
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YoungZ.W.
Joined: 06 Jan 2007
Posts: 333
Location: Coshocton, OH
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:35 am Post subject: |
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| Best of luck to you! The best occupation in life is the one that makes you happy. |
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LeBron James
Joined: 22 Mar 2008
Posts: 62
Location: New England
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:56 am Post subject: |
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| You're better off taking a Spanish course if you wanna jam gears down the line. |
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bentstrider
Joined: 17 Aug 2006
Posts: 88
Location: Hesperia, CA
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:49 am Post subject: |
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LeBron James wrote: You're better off taking a Spanish course if you wanna jam gears down the line.
Maybe we'll get lucky and someone will market a "univeral translator" that could be worn like a Bluetooth.
Nah, that probably won't fly, because it will put too many college-professors out of work |
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Night Zombie
Joined: 12 Aug 2007
Posts: 35
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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<< You're better off taking a Spanish course if you wanna jam gears down the line. >>
10-4. Global Capitalism will never stop trying to drive wages down to survival levels, and profits up to infinity, therefore they will be pushing for cheap labor, and all we have to protect us is our politicians, which means we basically are at the mercy of the politicians. If the politicians decide that "the US has a severe shortage of truckers, and we need to import 300,000 foreign drivers on H1B work visas, for the good of the economy", we are screwed. So far it hasn't come to that, but ..... The idea seems to be to hold our wages down to around $18 an hour ( for local drivers anyway) by letting in just enough H1B workers from Eastern Europe, India, Middle East, etc. |
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GMAN
Joined: 13 Feb 2005
Posts: 9128
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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| There is nothing to stop you from buying your own truck and getting your authority and start your own trucking company. There have been many people who started at minimum wage jobs, saved their money, learned about business and made a fortune. There is nothing wrong with driving a company truck, either. If you don't like the current pay at your employer, you may want to seek employment at another company that pays more. A good way to earn more money with your current employer is to do an above average job. Most people only do what they must to get by. Those who excel find a way to do their job better than most other people. They go the extra mile. Under capitalism, performance is usually rewarded. Find an area of the business that pays a premium. There are many ways in which to give yourself a pay raise. Of course the simplest is to start your own business. Then you will have no one but yourself to blame if you don't make more money than if you drive someone else truck. |
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TomB985
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Columbus, OH
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| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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GMAN wrote: Then you will have no one but yourself to blame if you don't make more money than if you drive someone else truck.
Naaahhh...It is ALWAYS someone else's fault!
at least that's what I keep hearing... :? |
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zipy46
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 191
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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Life on Earth is gonna get messed up around 2012...
Something about an Alien invasion...
X-Files kinda stuff.... :P |
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TomB985
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Columbus, OH
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| Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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Naah, the real truth is much more mundane.
Global warming is going to kill us all.
Just ask Al Gore! :P |
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BigWheels
Joined: 26 Aug 2006
Posts: 428
Location: Milwaukee, WI
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| Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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| That's "climate change" to you bub! :lol: (the new and "improved" terminology) :lol: |
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zipy46
Joined: 28 May 2007
Posts: 191
Location: Georgia
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| Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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TomB985 wrote: Naah, the real truth is much more mundane.
Global warming is going to kill us all.
Just ask Al Gore! :P
I am working on this theory that Earth is actually beginning to lose its orbit
and is heading for the Sun anyways...
Its pretty wild stuff...alot of numbers involved
:lol: |
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