Going To Tractor Trailer Training....For Free!!!

[bockhold]

ah this makes sense now.

good luck with the new opportunity. and start listening to trucker radio and learn to talk on the cb.

10-4

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by bockhold

ah this makes sense now.

good luck with the new opportunity. and start listening to trucker radio and learn to talk on the cb.

10-4

Thanks, bockhold. I've had a couple of CBs in some of the other trucks I've owned & got started with what my trucker uncle had taught me. I picked up more from the locals on the highway channel, & some from local CB clubs from a few surrounding towns. My handle used to be 'Red Sled'.

[StarDriver]

Good luck with getting the CDL, always remember, if you have a CDL, you have a license to work. As far as it being a dead end job, it only is if you let it. I've been doing it for 22 years and for most of my career, I've been driving specialized equipment and not general freight. I've been lucky enough to get jobs that most only wish they had, the only thing I haven't done yet is drive for NASCAR. I did start my own business and hopefuly it will continue to grow.(Exotic, luxury, collector and TV/movie car transport.)

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by StarDriver

Good luck with getting the CDL, always remember, if you have a CDL, you have a license to work. As far as it being a dead end job, it only is if you let it. I've been doing it for 22 years and for most of my career, I've been driving specialized equipment and not general freight. I've been lucky enough to get jobs that most only wish they had, the only thing I haven't done yet is drive for NASCAR. I did start my own business and hopefuly it will continue to grow.(Exotic, luxury, collector and TV/movie car transport.)

That's what I had always thought about trucking being a dead-end job. I know many truckers from various different companies that absolutely love their work. I know a big equipment hauling company in NJ that the last company I worked for used for hauling drill rigs & they all said they wouldn't trade what they do for the world. The last job I had, I travelled all over the US(just not in a rig), so travelling isn't a problem for me. I've also got many miles logged on my PSD & also my former employer's F-550 from driving all up & down the east coast, so staying in the seat isn't a problem either.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by cheesehead

Great score!! Good Luck. I had to do the same thing. Computer analyst 15 years for the government (civil service contractor) and they closed my military base. Couldn't find a job did the same thing. Drove for a company for 2 years, then bought my own tractor. I am home every night and make way more money than what I was doing, and much happier. Be VERY CAREFUL what company you go drive for. They will tell you anything you want to hear. Schneider, JB Hunt, Swift, there all full of crap. Overnite is good if you can get in. If you have nothing going on the March 19through the 21st weekend. The Mid America Truck show is going on on Louisville. Its the largest all semi show in the worls and have tons of companies looking for drivers and even more vendors. I know it would be a hike, but it is weel worth it. I'll be there. Oh by the way it free. Heres the website for anyone interested.

The 2009 Mid-America Trucking Show

Hope this helps, if you need anything or have any questions, let me know, I have been there done that and have put on 1 million miles to prove it. If I can figure out how to post a picture I will post one of "my Office"

Dan

I didn't know that Overnite was still around. In these parts, UPS Freight bought them out or so I thought????

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by whitelongbed

I didn't know that Overnite was still around. In these parts, UPS Freight bought them out or so I thought????

Yeah they're still around, but now that you mention it, I think I've seen some of their rigs that say 'Operated/Leased by UPS'.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by RadarRider

Yeah they're still around, but now that you mention it, I think I've seen some of their rigs that say 'Operated/Leased by UPS'.

All the Overnite trucks (the ones that are left) have UPS Freight magnetic banners on them. Seems like UPS Freight is getting new trucks though, they look different than the regular UPS trucks

[Gear Jammer]

UPS Freight did by out overnite.

For all of you that think trucking is NOT a dead end job. Just look at their 110% Turn over rates. It is a fact that around 50% of new drivers will quit before 1 year of driving. I drive trucks now i do love my job but there are alot better ones out there. I have been looking but right now I'm just taking it day by day. Think of it this way for one min. No one is hiring right now and companys are laying off. But trucking company's are still hiring??? Cuz they cant keep drivers.

Give you some advice. When you get paid CPM (cents per mile) which is how 80% of companys pay.. You do alot of free work you don't get paid for. Sometimes you have to wait up to 20+ hours to get a load if your in a bad fright area. If you bump the dock and take 4-5hours to un-load. If you brake down some will pay you like 50 bucks for every 24hrs. Fueling the truck. All this stuff is free.

If you want to drive trucks try to find a local job that pays by the hour. Like fuel hauling, Food service etc. etc.

I'm not tryin to be a dick just want to give you another look at things thats all. You can making a living in trucking but it is a hard living.

[Gear Jammer]

Originally Posted by whitelongbed

All the Overnite trucks (the ones that are left) have UPS Freight magnetic banners on them. Seems like UPS Freight is getting new trucks though, they look different than the regular UPS trucks

That cuz they are 2 diff. companys. UPS is union drivers that are paid very well. UPS freight is non-union and pay the avg. wage.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Gear Jammer

That cuz they are 2 diff. companys. UPS is union drivers that are paid very well. UPS freight is non-union and pay the avg. wage.

Exactly right