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

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by 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.

I don't think you're being a dick @ all, Jammer. Any kind of reality check for the trucking world is the greatest advice I can get. I wasn't really thinking about getting a cross-country driving job. My son lives 150mi. from me round trip & I only get to see him twice a month, so a cross-country job is on the back burner. I was just saying I don't mind the traveling from my last job. I've found there are a few openings for some local companies that don't go outside New England, maybe New York for a few accounts. Fuel delivery was actually the job I really wanted to look into. I really appreciate the truth about trucking, & now I have more insight from you for what jobs I should look for.

[RRonning1984]

I would like to go back but I need the stability that trucking isnt offering for my family

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by RRonning1984

I would like to go back but I need the stability that trucking isnt offering for my family

I'm @ that point in my life where I don't have to worry so much about it. I've got a house I've gotta pay for, my son, & 2 thirsty diesel trucks. I'm going for it & I guess it's a matter of making my own analysis about it all. I just wanted to get into it against all odds.

[Gear Jammer]

Originally Posted by RadarRider

I don't think you're being a dick @ all, Jammer. Any kind of reality check for the trucking world is the greatest advice I can get. I wasn't really thinking about getting a cross-country driving job. My son lives 150mi. from me round trip & I only get to see him twice a month, so a cross-country job is on the back burner. I was just saying I don't mind the traveling from my last job. I've found there are a few openings for some local companies that don't go outside New England, maybe New York for a few accounts. Fuel delivery was actually the job I really wanted to look into. I really appreciate the truth about trucking, & now I have more insight from you for what jobs I should look for.

I think local is the way to go. If you have a family which i see you do. I would only do local and be home every night. I know your not into OTR trucking (Over The Road) But he is a post i copied from one of my trucking forums. This will be the last thing i say about OTR trucking.


Look, here's the real deal...

You're GONNA get screwed. Doesn't matter which OTR outfit you hire-on to or what they're hauling...you're GONNA get screwed. You won't get paid for all the miles you drive. You won't always get home when you request. You'll donate boatloads of your time for nothing to these motor carriers. You'll be lied to, taken advantage of, treated like a 3rd class citizen, etc. No matter how hard you run, you'll spend time sitting in the truckstop because of short freight or resetting your hours...especially in this economy.

The trick is to find the company/industry that will screw you the least. Union companies are ideal because the union has work rules that limit how much you can get screwed. Followed second are non-union companies operating in industires with a union presence...such as LTL. These companies are scared of you signing the card so they have to treat you good. Mail contractors are generally OK because the post office has prevailing rates and makes the contractor pay you hourly plus they will yank the contractor's run if there's any shenanigans. Private fleets like Wal-Mart, Supervalu, Crown Cork & Seal, etc would be next. Then the specialized carriers such as OD, hauling cars, boats, food service, etc and tankers. This usually takes a higher skill of driver and the companies are less apt to churn-and-burn...plus sometimes the union is involved. Last are the dime-a-dozen OTR van/reefer haulers...here you will be bent over and taken back behind the woodshed. The reason is that you're basically a steering-wheel holder who can easily be replaced and there's no threat of you organizing. So they will treat you/pay you like a chump and if you quit, who cares? They've got another trainee waiting to take your position for less pay and 1 week of vacation AFTER one year.

So most people start at the bottom (OTR van/reefer etc) because due to the low pay and poor treatment, these outfits are ALWAYS hiring. They then try to keep their nose clean and the left door closed and withstand all the BS until they can move up into the better jobs. The ones with mental problems or battered-wives syndrome stay in OTR.

But I'll close all this rambling by saying that the key to be successful in this biz is to have a goal. Just like quitting cigs (another bad habit like OTR) you've gotta have a plan.

So if you need any help or advice or have any questions about anything in trucking let me know. I am a 4th gen trucker in my family and my dad is a O/O. So i know a good bit about it.

You are right if you got a CDL you will always have work. It just may not be the best work. But when you got to put food on the table you have to do what you have to do.

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by Gear Jammer

I think local is the way to go. If you have a family which i see you do. I would only do local and be home every night. I know your not into OTR trucking (Over The Road) But he is a post i copied from one of my trucking forums. This will be the last thing i say about OTR trucking.


Look, here's the real deal...

You're GONNA get screwed. Doesn't matter which OTR outfit you hire-on to or what they're hauling...you're GONNA get screwed. You won't get paid for all the miles you drive. You won't always get home when you request. You'll donate boatloads of your time for nothing to these motor carriers. You'll be lied to, taken advantage of, treated like a 3rd class citizen, etc. No matter how hard you run, you'll spend time sitting in the truckstop because of short freight or resetting your hours...especially in this economy.

The trick is to find the company/industry that will screw you the least. Union companies are ideal because the union has work rules that limit how much you can get screwed. Followed second are non-union companies operating in industires with a union presence...such as LTL. These companies are scared of you signing the card so they have to treat you good. Mail contractors are generally OK because the post office has prevailing rates and makes the contractor pay you hourly plus they will yank the contractor's run if there's any shenanigans. Private fleets like Wal-Mart, Supervalu, Crown Cork & Seal, etc would be next. Then the specialized carriers such as OD, hauling cars, boats, food service, etc and tankers. This usually takes a higher skill of driver and the companies are less apt to churn-and-burn...plus sometimes the union is involved. Last are the dime-a-dozen OTR van/reefer haulers...here you will be bent over and taken back behind the woodshed. The reason is that you're basically a steering-wheel holder who can easily be replaced and there's no threat of you organizing. So they will treat you/pay you like a chump and if you quit, who cares? They've got another trainee waiting to take your position for less pay and 1 week of vacation AFTER one year.

So most people start at the bottom (OTR van/reefer etc) because due to the low pay and poor treatment, these outfits are ALWAYS hiring. They then try to keep their nose clean and the left door closed and withstand all the BS until they can move up into the better jobs. The ones with mental problems or battered-wives syndrome stay in OTR.

But I'll close all this rambling by saying that the key to be successful in this biz is to have a goal. Just like quitting cigs (another bad habit like OTR) you've gotta have a plan.

So if you need any help or advice or have any questions about anything in trucking let me know. I am a 4th gen trucker in my family and my dad is a O/O. So i know a good bit about it.

You are right if you got a CDL you will always have work. It just may not be the best work. But when you got to put food on the table you have to do what you have to do.

I appreciate this, Jammer. I'll most certainly keep you in mind.

[Leeville Outlaw]

I have been driving since 88 and I can tell you from experience that it is NOT good for a marriage. Especially if your spouse is gonna stay home when she has had you at home at the other job. I have been an owner operator for the past 13 years and that got me home a little more but the away time was worse than when I was in the army. you really need to make sure this is what you want before you sign on with an OTR company. On the other hand if you can find a local at home every night job that would be the ticket. But no matter what if you can get the training for free hit it wide open. Good luck in what ever you do but dont expect to much from the over the road life style and nobody lookin over your shoulder pitch they are goin to give you

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by Leeville Outlaw

I have been driving since 88 and I can tell you from experience that it is NOT good for a marriage. Especially if your spouse is gonna stay home when she has had you at home at the other job. I have been an owner operator for the past 13 years and that got me home a little more but the away time was worse than when I was in the army. you really need to make sure this is what you want before you sign on with an OTR company. On the other hand if you can find a local at home every night job that would be the ticket. But no matter what if you can get the training for free hit it wide open. Good luck in what ever you do but dont expect to much from the over the road life style and nobody lookin over your shoulder pitch they are goin to give you

My wife is very used to me being on the road. She was the wife of a big drill rig company owner & when it comes to anything dealing with drill rigs, you're on the road a lot. When I was working on drill rigs, I was travelling quite a bit through the year, & my wife works 3 jobs, so she's busy all throughout the week except for Sundays. All we've done to keep the house is work & we both completely understand the nature of the beast. I'm really into looking for something local like you said, though. That's really the type of trucking job I've been looking for & have done the most research in the availability of jobs.

[StarDriver]

Originally Posted by 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.

The problem is, alot of people get into it thinking their going to make big bucks, end up with a crappy company and quit. Also, alot can't handle being on the road, it's not a 9 to 5 job. Some are also poorly trained and get in accidents or are fired.

[OneBigDoofus]

You get tired of not being able to take crap in private,.....Always sum rotten, stank-a$$ truck driver in the next stall trying to eject a turd that is riddled with air pockets (farts) from another state.

Unfortunately it's not fresh air.

[RadarRider]

Originally Posted by OneBigDoofus

You get tired of not being able to take crap in private,.....Always sum rotten, stank-a$$ truck driver in the next stall trying to eject a turd that is riddled with air pockets (farts) from another state.

Unfortunately it's not fresh air.

Well, besides being an OTR, there's other proffesions I can get into with my CDL.