ot. truck driving school and career, member with knowledge please advise Options

[thelogo]

Is a class a or c d l

A good career to get into


How dangerous is it

What does truck drivers school cost

What should i expect to make


I drive a Ford ranger as a delivery drivery

I know it's far from a big rig but I do have a lot
Of driving experience


Advice and opinions please (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving-girl.gif)

[thelogo]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)

[SirAndy]

My ex-girlfriend used to be a truck driver. She owned her own big rig and drove on contract for several companies.

Thankless job, horrible hours, crappy pay ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon8.gif)

[Mueller]

Easiest is to find a place that has both Class B and Class A if they offer training.

I worked at one place years ago that trained me on Class B (bobtail delivery truck) so I was able to get that license and then work on my Class A.

I ended up leaving that company before I got my Class A (went back to school to get my A&P License)

Having the Class B was a good thing since at the time getting a job in the aircraft field was tough so I got a job as a cement truck driver, I just had to take a test to carry liquids and pass that at the DMV)

No idea about the schools, if anything like some of the other "job" training schools, they are great for taking your money and stringing you along for more money offering this and that...hopefully for a truck driver they are more honest.

I don't miss driving as a professional that much anymore, I like being home everyday and not being out in the elements as I had to deal with being the cement truck driver or delivery driver.

Good luck.

[Cap'n Krusty]

My nephew went to truck driving school locally. It may be a county or state affiliated deal here. He then joined the teamos and has passed a course in moving heavy equipment. Not a bad job, considering he came from the drywall trade. Better job choices, more jobs, less apt to lose out when light construction hits the skids.My dad was a tructee for the various union trade school programs in So Cal for a long time, and, as a contractor, he saw great value in those programs. Take a look at them ...

The Cap'n

[steuspeed]

Keep in mind that driverless trucks will be among the first implementations of driverless technology. Likely it will be airport to distribution centers for UPS and FedEx to start. Long haul trucking will be next, so the truck does not need to stop.

[Mark Henry]

I have friends and two nephews that drive or have driven trucks. Trucks are hard on the back, and if you are lazy you will get fat. I have one buddy who is skinny and it has racked his back. The other friend who is skinny is hard core martial arts and he practices every stop to keep in shape.
My nephews, one was driving to work in bad weather and another car spun in front of him and took out his legs. He's now the owner of a handicapped taxi in Moncton, NB.
My other nephew is huge, very poor shape indeed.

As for driving the truck it's much like a big car these days, not much to it, mostly common sense. My nephew (legs) was an instructor so he's let me drive a few times.
Backing up takes skill, but it's just part of the learning curve.

[r_towle]

Keep in mind that driverless trucks will be among the first implementations of driverless technology. Likely it will be airport to distribution centers for UPS and FedEx to start. Long haul trucking will be next, so the truck does not need to stop.

Trains do that.

[ConeDodger]

My ex-girlfriend used to be a truck driver. She owned her own big rig and drove on contract for several companies.

Thankless job, horrible hours, crappy pay ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon8.gif)

Hemmorhoids. He forgot to mention them... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[damesandhotrods]

Find A Truck Driving Job


Trade Schools are surprisingly expensive. Do you really want student loans hanging over you? If you’re hired by a trucking company and they cover your schooling expect to end up as an owner operator…

[Krieger]

I remember Debbie Dootsen on TV a lot as a kid in L.A. doing adds for Dootsen Truck Driving School. I'd check there she was pretty cute. Maybe she has a hot daughter?

[Elliot Cannon]

Going' down the road with a heavy load. Keep yo eyes on da road.... "Diesel smoke"! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[thelogo]

I remember Debbie Dootsen on TV a lot as a kid in L.A. doing adds for Dootsen Truck Driving School. I'd check there she was pretty cute. Maybe she has a hot daughter?

That s a coincidence

Because I live approx 4 miles from dootsen truck in school

That's why I'm considering truck driving

And thanks for all the honest feedback guysguys (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

[URY914]

At the absolute lowest point of my unemployment a few years ago I went to a local OTR truck driving school and asked some questions.

The classes take 6 weeks and you will be hired by a major OTR fleet. You have to sign a one year contract and they will pay for the school. From the photos in the office and the contracts I saw, I was guessing the school is owned by the trucking companies. During the one year contract period, the company OWNS you. You will not be home unless the route takes you down your street. The trucks have GPS and transmitters which record everything you do. Run time, idle time, speed, route, sleep time. If you don't fulfill the contract you have to pay them back for the cost of the school. After one year you can quit and go else where. You are a slave.

The guy walked me out the door of the building and told me "off the record" I wasn't the right candidate for this. He was being honest with me. I give him a lot of credit for that.

There are trucking forums out there. It ain't a pretty lifestyle.

[balljoint]

There's an awful lot of music written for you.

You'll also need a friend who looks like Burt Reynolds.

[thelogo]

At the absolute lowest point of my unemployment a few years ago I went to a local OTR truck driving school and asked some questions.

The classes take 6 weeks and you will be hired by a major OTR fleet. You have to sign a one year contract and they will pay for the school. From the photos in the office and the contracts I saw, I was guessing the school is owned by the trucking companies. During the one year contract period, the company OWNS you. You will not be home unless the route takes you down your street. The trucks have GPS and transmitters which record everything you do. Run time, idle time, speed, route, sleep time. If you don't fulfill the contract you have to pay them back for the cost of the school. After one year you can quit and go else where. You are a slave.

The guy walked me out the door of the building and told me "off the record" I wasn't the right candidate for this. He was being honest with me. I give him a lot of credit for that.

There are trucking forums out there. It ain't a pretty lifestyle

Really (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Thanks for giving it to me straight

Cause I'm not trying to do cross country

Should I just pay for my own school ing

And once I have my license I'm in good shape ?



I initially was going to go for a commercial pilot
License but was gonna cost 70 to 100 k
In training

And don't worry said the flight school , when you graduate
Your guaranteed a instructers job for

15 an hour . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

[Elliot Cannon]

$70 to$100k for flight training is a bit much. You can get what you need for way less. Do a little more research. The problem is gaining flight experience. Nowadays you need 2500 hours to be a co-pilot. Having said that, we are looking at a huge pilot shortage coming soon. All us old bastids are retiring. Trust me, flying is a better life than driving a truck (not that there is anything wrong with that) I have done both. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[thelogo]

$70 to$100k for flight training is a bit much. You can get what you need for way less. Do a little more research. The problem is gaining flight experience. Nowadays you need 2500 hours to be a co-pilot. Having said that, we are looking at a huge pilot shortage coming soon. All us old bastids are retiring. Trust me, flying is a better life than driving a truck (not that there is anything wrong with that) I have done both. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Do tell old bastard

I live 10 mins from el Monte aeroport but have only found
Private pilot school for 6 k

And

A t p in long beach , 70 k for commercial pilot course


Having trouble finding much else near or in so cal

Just point me in the right direction , I'll beat down the door




Im 33 , if I was 10 years younger and had a college degree
I'd join the aero force usaaf in a second and they could teach me but that ship has sailed so to speak .


"Don't give me a p-39 with a engine thats mounted behind"

[thelogo]

Bloch
Mcudden
Rictofen
Anderson
Yeager
Ball
Bader
Hoover
Voss
Tuck
Brown
Gunter raul
And king of kings
Bubi Hartman

All legend s that I look up too and inspire me to be a pilot but
I find myself unable to get started


Feel free to add anyone I left off .

Immelman

[DBCooper]

In my life I've never been depressed by a place and time as much as walking in to a truck stop outside Albuquerque at about 3AM. Lonely scattered truckers smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee and staring at the counters, not speaking a word to anyone. Waitresses tired and impatient, refilling coffee cups while trying to not make eye contact with anyone. Stale stinky air, boiled coffee, greasy food, and absolutely nothing good about anything. I can't imagine spending my working career tired, needing a shower, and looking forward to finally getting out of my cab and into that place. Ughh. Not something to look forward to.