want to be a trucker, need advice
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 7
hello. im trying to get info on trucking. im currently trying to get a better paying job, right now im tryign to be a seaman on merchant cargo ships. but very slow so looking at my other dream . yes trucking for some reason they fascinate me. anyways, the next rop class for trucking is late 07 for me and not much money i cant go to a school. I was wanting to know what companies that are decent pay, and will hire and train new people to get their cdl for semis. i dont care if i have a contract to get free schooling "IF" its a decent company that pays decent. i was wanting to know if anyone knew any companies that does this? any help would be much appreciated.
#2
Board Regular
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Armstrong County, Pa
Posts: 330
If your low income, try and go to your state's unemployment office. I did that here in Pennsylvania and they sent me to an agency, and since I was classified as an "underemployed adult", I went through the testing and the state paid for my training at an acredited (sp?) school. Try this before signing 6 months to a year of your life over to a trucking company.
There may be help for you if you look in the right place.
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Friends don't let friends get taken by "Fleece Purchase".
#6
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: East Central IL between the corn and the beans
Posts: 4,977
There are several companies that will send you to school in exchange for a 1 or 2 year contract. Swift and Schnieder are two that I know of that hire out of California and will train you from the ground up.
The first year will be the hardest, but if you keep your nose clean you will find a lot of doors open up after that.
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Finding the right trucking company is like finding the right person to marry. I really comes down to finding one whose BS you can put up with and who can put up wih yours.
#8
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,882
Corvairjunky,
You don't state where in Cali you live, but go to your closest Employment Development Department office, you'll get the info about WIA funded driver training. You may have to jump thru some hoops, but if you're that determined, you'll make it. What I am puzzled about is you stated you're wanting "to be a seaman on merchant cargo ships". The US Navy Military Sealift Command is always hiring people, have you tried that? I believe they have an offices in Oakland and San Diego, don't know if they have an office in Long Beach. In either case you'll have to be able to routinely pass drug screening tests. BOL
#9
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 7
sealord ya i also contacted msc already. right now they were not looking for ordinary seamen "which im ordinary" they want able or higher right now, and they only give you work for 6 months. other 6 months your not getting paid and you got nothing. im trying to find one that will pay you while off and more work. i know of 2 more thats not union and thats it. if i go union they have a bid process and always highest seatime gets first dibs. so. thats why im looking into trucking. i wil look into the funding lie i said above but i cant garentee getting the funds so im looking into the companies that train too as backup to that. i will hopefully get to go tomorow.
#10
I just got my MMD ( Z Card )about 6 months ago. Try some Tug Boat company's. I know K sea and moran will take on OS. Then wants you get alittle time under your belt you can upgrade to a AB. If you want to make Money stick with the SEA jobs. You will in the long run make more with that then driving a truck.
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