Any truck drivers out there tell me if its a good deal to do the school
and go streight into driving is the money good and how often are you
home?

Hey Alpine,
Can't tell you about the school thing but I been driving for 30 years. I
work for a nation wide local freight company and it tops out at 20.60 an
hour. Pertty good for a hick town. I am home every night and off
weekends. Line haul is overnight work and home in the am. It's a good
living, but so is whatever you decide to do. It's all a matter of how
you want to live.
Nerves

I've been an automotive tech. all my life I always wanted to drive
trucks I was told I would have to start out on long hauls which would be
ok for a little while if the money is good. Thanks

Check out some of the local freight carriers in your neck of the woods.
In Ca. the pay should be a lot higher!

Ya I will I just wanted to get some real world opinions before I go to
the school, they say they will have me on the road in 3 weeks I
currently make 25 hr is it worth changing careers is what I'm trying to
decide.

Probably not unless you want to drive, I am sure they will over charge
you!

I benn worken on trucks for three years an only make 16.00
where can i go to work for that kind of money

Well they said my first couple runs will pay the tuition they will be
long hauls with a partner I definatly like to drive I know I would like
it I'm wondering how long it will take to do local stuff and I dont
think they will be truthfull on that I also got a DUI IN 1999 its the
only thing on my record I dont Know if that will effect anything or not.

it may or may not to some.if you work in trucking end of things or a
dealer start with them,an see if you can drive for them.it makes getting
in the door alot easer

I think they only go back 5 years, but you do have to have a FBI
background check for the hazmat endorsement. My license was about 150
bucks this year, good for 5 years. I have double triples endorsements
also. They are required where I work. And eash, if you got good record
and endorsements, you got your choice for jobs over there. I been to
Fort Smith, shurly there are some big freight companys over there.

Alpine, the road is where the money is. You can make big bucks on the
road if they keep you rollin. If you have a bunch of lay overs, well
that sucks because the pay is not good for layovers. But if you get in
with a big company like Averet or something, they could keep you on the
road a while or until you have the senority to bump some one.

Ecash I live in California and to make 25 hr you must have ASE
Certification the cost of living is alot higher here also I used to live
in Poteau ,Ok. which is close to you I also worked for Didion Steel in
Fort Smith your wage is good.

Thanks Nerves I'll look in to it "keep on truckin" LOL

Hello alpineRocks,and Hervesgone,eash.
I've been driving about 28 years and talking about school on driving
sounds like a schnieder deal? My son-in-law just went through that about
8 months ago and left after two months to go local on a coke run. The
company like so many out here was bad with getting him home? If you are
making 25.00 an hour now my advise is stay with it and your time in
there? Hervesgone is making what he's making because of the years of
good driving under his belt? For you to get into driving and making a
good living at it or like what Hervesgone makes, it would take you at
least two years or three years of alot of dispatcher bull-shit and gone
from home alot. I would guess that Hervesgone has a union job? but now
there are alot of good companies out here that are non-union? If you
could get in with ups local delivery
that would be the best pay out here, but few opening's and it would
still take a year and your pay would be Still less than you are making
now at25 an hour? Trucking has changed and is still changing alot with
whole companies being bought out or consoldating into others? If you
want to see the country? I would take extra time off from your current
job and do a couple of vacations each year? Cause from school on with
driving is a very, VERY, long road to making good money AND seeing home
alot?

Thanks, that was some good advice and sound like what I've herd from
some other people I may still look into it its something I've always
wanted to do but I do need to look into it farther. Thanks if anyone
knows the best driving school for placement let me know just in case.

I would say... stay with the $25 an hour gig...
You can make good money in trucking but you give up a lot to do it. If
you go to school, you'll still probably have to have a years experience
before you could get any kind of local driving gig.
I drove for about 8 years... at best I made a bit over 50 grand a year
as a company driver, but I pretty much lived in my truck. It ended with
a heart attack on the road 2 years ago and now I can't pass DOT.
If you are determined to do it, I would recommend US Xpress for school.
You give them a year and the schooling is virtually free. Plus they have
nice equipment and not too bad as far as mileage goes.
I last worked for American Eagle (dry van div. of FFE) and would
recommend them to anyone. Nice equipment, lots of miles and great people
to work with. I ran a lot of coast to coast stuff for them. Used to run
out of hours in Vegas a lot!!!!!
Good luck.

Thanks I'll look into US Express I'm really considering the change I I
would like to drive for awile I can always come back to automotive as a
shop owner I waould like to drive a truck atleast 5years or so. thanks
for you input.

ive been trucking for 28 years and if you want to become a driver there
are lots of good companies,i was leased to CFI out of Joplin MO and they
were top notch with very good equipment,i wouldnt have left but went
threw a divorce and had to sell my equipment,now if you want to become a
O/O buying a truck threw a company,i cant help you there,its good
money,but lots of hours and your gone for weeks at a time with most
companies,i wouldnt trade it for anything,but its not for everyone,good
luck

SOun ds familiar, I was an auto tech for years, college degree in auto
yechnology and all, but always looked to the open road just never had
the balls (I guess( to leave my kids and go. I just turned 50 last week
and I still want to go. Kids are all grown and gone so here I sit,
mostly typing away at this puter, spend a few days trying to make a sale
or two and watch tv (which I really hate but guess I'm addicted). I have
talked with w recruiter from Lisa Lines and know a driver with them and
take a deep breath every few daysas I debate whether to make the call. I
am on one last ditch quest for a new job (been on the first interview
and supposed to be called back in next week)if this falls through, look
for me on the highway! My mind is made up. I've had the desire in my
blood and it hasn't gone away, you're younger so if it feels like
there's something missing in your life and you have a lingering want to
roll down the highway, ,the worst thing wwill be in two years, you
decide you don't want that life anymore.
One more thing on me, I really hate heigths since I got older and the
thought of some of the bridges I'd travel over kind of gives me the
willies!!!

Yes I agree you HAVE to go to school. But my ex hubby had my dad teach
him forst. Your friends are the best teachers. B4 you go to school. A
friend will show you the thjings a school wont. My ex still went to
school. He told me that the school shows you just the mainn thing you
need to know. Thats great.
I would love to be opn th3 road. Not only is the money good but ohhh
the feeling of being free roaming around is great also. Good luck to all
you guys or gals that want to learn to drive.