Life Do we have any OTR drivers here? - Page 3

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 12-23-2012, 05:04 AM

There are trucking companies that will train you, and pay for your CDL licensing, they'll even give you just enough to live off of while you are training. You just have to work for them for a year, and it's totally free. That's what I did. I was lucky too, I lived local to the trucking company, so I was home every single night. Long ass day, but I was home and slept in my own bed. Problem is, the trainer I got was a **** up. And the guy who was my boss and controlled the routing was best friends with this guy. Yeah, luckily I'm a smart enough guy that I was able to muscle my way through it, but I'm telling you, go this route and you are STUCK with the guy who trains you, and you're pretty much his bitch.

So, you have more leverage if you come up with your own CDL, but if you don't feel like paying 4-5k, there are alternatives. If you want some, I'll list some companies that will train you.

R8RFAN · 12-23-2012, 05:14 AM

No to truck driving school, try to get on working the dock at Fedex Freight, tell them you are interested in the driver apprentice program.

There are many highly qualified drivers out of work so your chances of landing a decent job as a driver is slim at best, sure there are plenty of Swift Jobs but they pay peanuts.

Truckload pay Sucks LTL Freight is where the money is.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 12-23-2012, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R8ers

No to truck driving school, try to get on working the dock at Fedex Freight, tell them you are interested in the driver apprentice program.

There are many highly qualified drivers out of work so your chances of landing a decent job as a driver is slim at best, sure there are plenty of Swift Jobs but they pay peanuts.

Truckload pay Sucks LTL Freight is where the money is.

If I were to ever get back into trucking, this is the 1st guy I'd go too, and I probably wouldn't need to go any further.

R8RFAN · 12-23-2012, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

If I were to ever get back into trucking, this is the 1st guy I'd go too, and I probably wouldn't need to go any further.

Why thank you Mr Flopnuts, one more thing to add, do not believe anything a recruiter tells you, they are all liars....

Fedex Freight is not the only job out there by no means, your best bet in Florida is to become a city driver, lots goes into Fla but not much good paying freight goes out.

Check UPS Freight, Fedex freight, Estes, Con-way, Anywhere you can get your foot in the door...

It's very easy to get a shit job, about all you have to have is a pulse, we call it meat in the seat, so don't think you are special if you get lots of offers from the bottom feeders... If you decide to go to a bottom feeder you will basically live in that truck, you will wait at truck stops on your own time for loads that may not come for a couple of days, recruiters will not admit this, they are paid to get you in the door. All recruiters are liars, always remember this.

Work the dock until you get your shot in LTL, it's hard work sometimes but it will pay off bigtime in the long run... + no tickets or bs like that... If you ever had a DUI or a Felony, don't even waste your time.

If you are in good shape and young, Throwing Groceries is not a bad gig, the work is demanding but it pays good... Throwing groceries is delivering food and supplies to restaurants (sysco, pfg etc.)

**bevischief** · 12-23-2012, 08:21 AM

They don't have enough CDL truck drivers up here.

**Scorp** · 12-23-2012, 08:32 AM

This in my opinion is a terrible career path to take. Recruiters will lie to you about everything to get you to sign on.

#1 You wont make near what they say you will.
#2 You will be treated like shit from your employer.
#3 You will be treated like shit from the people you deliver to.
#4 You will be treated like shit from other drivers on the road.
#5 This career is really detrimental to your health. (You are sitting behind a wheel not getting any physical activity for 8 plus hours at a time damn near every day.)

My advice, avoid this career at all cost.

I am employed by the largest Trucking Company in the United States and I hate every minute of every day, but hey at least I have a job in this shitty economy right? That is what I have to tell myself every day to get up and go to work.

ROYC75 · 12-23-2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorp

This in my opinion is a terrible career path to take. Recruiters will lie to you about everything to get you to sign on.

#1 You wont make near what they say you will.
#2 You will be treated like shit from your employer.
#3 You will be treated like shit from the people you deliver to.
#4 You will be treated like shit from other drivers on the road.
#5 This career is really detrimental to your health. (You are sitting behind a wheel not getting any physical activity for 8 plus hours at a time damn near every day.)

My advice, avoid this career at all cost.

I am employed by the largest Trucking Company in the United States and I hate every minute of every day, but hey at least I have a job in this shitty economy right? That is what I have to tell myself every day to get up and go to work.

Not sure why you have this perception but not all trucking companies are the same dude. Just because you have / had a bad experience with one or said company does not make them all evil.

Are you a company driver or are you an owner operator? If you have the experience, you can be very selective with who you work for. With the shortage of drivers in the country, if you are not a seat jumper you can find a job anywhere. Bigger companies do let you get lost within the numbers but smaller companies are more personal and family oriented.

Crap, for that matter I have a truck that is empty and can be put on the road within a week.

If you are worth your weight in salt, the pay will be there.

Unsmooth-Moment · 12-23-2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

Not sure why you have this perception but not all trucking companies are the same dude. Just because you have / had a bad experience with one or said company does not make them all evil.

Are you a company driver or are you an owner operator? If you have the experience, you can be very selective with who you work for. With the shortage of drivers in the country, if you are not a seat jumper you can find a job anywhere. Bigger companies do let you get lost within the numbers but smaller companies are more personal and family oriented.

Crap, for that matter I have a truck that is empty and can be put on the road within a week.

If you are worth your weight in salt, the pay will be there.

This, all of this.

**BigMeatballDave** · 12-23-2012, 09:12 AM

Well, shit.

Some of this is very disappointing.

I'm currently sponging unemployment. If I go to this local school, it will be funded by the state. Polk Co. in Florida, "Polk Works", has a program for unemployed people that pay for this. I'll find out more about it Wednesday.

headsnap · 12-23-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Well, shit.

Some of this is very disappointing.

I'm currently sponging unemployment. If I go to this local school, it will be funded by the state. Polk Co. in Florida, "Polk Works", has a program for unemployed people that pay for this. I'll find out more about it Wednesday.

this might cheer you up a bit though, a slice of life on the road...

ROYC75 · 12-23-2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Well, shit.

Some of this is very disappointing.

I'm currently sponging unemployment. If I go to this local school, it will be funded by the state. Polk Co. in Florida, "Polk Works", has a program for unemployed people that pay for this. I'll find out more about it Wednesday.

Dave, you mentioned you had some previous experience but not a lot ?

Flatbed or van ?

**BigMeatballDave** · 12-23-2012, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

Dave, you mentioned you had some previous experience but not a lot ?

Flatbed or van ?

None. I was driving my buddy's truck. Without a CDL. I just drove it a little while on the road with him.

ROYC75 · 12-23-2012, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

None. I was driving my buddy's truck. Without a CDL. I just drove it a little while on the road with him.

You willing to ride with a guy for 6 months to train ? If so, I'll ask my partner if he is willing to train you and put you to work.

R8RFAN · 12-23-2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

You willing to ride with a guy for 6 months to train ? If so, I'll ask my partner if he is willing to train you and put you to work.

There ya go....

**BigMeatballDave** · 12-23-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

You willing to ride with a guy for 6 months to train ? If so, I'll ask my partner if he is willing to train you and put you to work.

After obtaining my CDL, I'm assuming?

12-23-2012, 08:32 AM	#6
Scorp Whiskey Tango Foxtrot OVER! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hell Casino cash: $6629000	This in my opinion is a terrible career path to take. Recruiters will lie to you about everything to get you to sign on. #1 You wont make near what they say you will. #2 You will be treated like shit from your employer. #3 You will be treated like shit from the people you deliver to. #4 You will be treated like shit from other drivers on the road. #5 This career is really detrimental to your health. (You are sitting behind a wheel not getting any physical activity for 8 plus hours at a time damn near every day.) My advice, avoid this career at all cost. I am employed by the largest Trucking Company in the United States and I hate every minute of every day, but hey at least I have a job in this shitty economy right? That is what I have to tell myself every day to get up and go to work. __________________
Posts: 4,507

12-23-2012, 09:12 AM	#9
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Well, shit. Some of this is very disappointing. I'm currently sponging unemployment. If I go to this local school, it will be funded by the state. Polk Co. in Florida, "Polk Works", has a program for unemployed people that pay for this. I'll find out more about it Wednesday.
Posts: 59,997

12-23-2012, 05:14 AM	#2
R8RFAN Molôn Labé Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: North Carolina Casino cash: $8566872	No to truck driving school, try to get on working the dock at Fedex Freight, tell them you are interested in the driver apprentice program. There are many highly qualified drivers out of work so your chances of landing a decent job as a driver is slim at best, sure there are plenty of Swift Jobs but they pay peanuts. Truckload pay Sucks LTL Freight is where the money is.
Posts: 23,164

12-23-2012, 08:21 AM	#5
bevischief .... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere Kansas Casino cash: $8659352 VARSITY	They don't have enough CDL truck drivers up here.
Posts: 27,731