1st time OTR...Is it worth the training?

roadranger · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 06:43 PM

Will I spend my time to learn the life of OTR, or should I keep my CDL-B? Is it really worth the time spent in school? Will there be difficult adjustments to Night Driving and sleeping in a cab during the day, while my partner drives? Should I take the chance to improve on my career with such an upgrade? Is driving across country or to the North, really worth it's weight? I do not have the experience, but desperately need the work!

Thayne · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 08:49 PM

If you are married, forget it. If you will miss being home every night, forget it.
You CAN make a lot of money, but you will really earn it most of the time; try to get obama or a workforce program to pay for the school, stay away from trucking Co's like Swift or Stevens that run their own schools--they will screw you for sure. Be sure you understand the DOT rules because you can screw up then all the work you have done will be for naught. It will take about 2 years of driving and keeping your nose clean before you can get hired for the really good jobs. Sorry to sound so pessimistic but if you are smart enough to see thru BS it can be a good job, but money isn't everything.

freqs · #3 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadranger

Will I spend my time to learn the life of OTR, or should I keep my CDL-B? Is it really worth the time spent in school? Will there be difficult adjustments to Night Driving and sleeping in a cab during the day, while my partner drives? Should I take the chance to improve on my career with such an upgrade? Is driving across country or to the North, really worth it's weight? I do not have the experience, but desperately need the work!

try local a company ive been in the trash hauling biz for 17 years and make great money some guys make btw 50 to 80 thousand a year .and once you get in you can upgrade to a cdl a take the test and use there truck .i never went to a driving school .on the job training only

JLM7424 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 10:36 AM

Well if your Going to Drive maybe start off by yourself Not Teaming unless thats what you really
want . Are you Married, Kids ? it's tuff being Gone from your loved ones .

I have Been a OTR driver since 95 I finnaly got married last year took on my wifes 8yr old
have 5 month old with her and a now another one on the way , But what do you do i tried
hauling Gas In sioux city,ia and got financially Raped it was supposed to be a local job but the only
way to make a decent paycheck was to be out 4 nights a week and it still was crap money
it's a tuff economy right now , i went back OTR recently and am making $1200 a week before
Taxes & $96 a week for medical coverage

The one thing i can tell you is theirs a small shortage of good drivers and theirs ALWAYS
Trucking jobs available when you need something to fall back on So maybe jump in the seat
For a year or two and Decide for yourslf .

kc4jgc · #5 (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 10:47 PM

If there is a community college that offers tractor-trailer training, go there! Will be much easier on your wallet for comparable or even better instruction. Commercial schools' tuition is generally $5000+. I paid only $1100 at my local CC for training in 2003.

On another point, freight now is generally rather slow for OTR. If you do get your CDL-A, try to get on a well paying dedicated account ASAP. Drivers on dedicated runs stay busier that OTR generally speaking. Many dedicated runs also have more home time. I have worked the same dedicated account for 6 years. I work as much as I want most weeks. I'm home on weekends.

roadranger · #6 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 06:02 AM

Okay,Men. I have decided to go through with it. My oldest brother encouraged my to apply with a local school, so that while both of us are currently unemployed, we may be a team for a particular company. We realize that we would train a while under someone else.

I have been accepted at CDL of GA., in the city of Winder. My brother has yet to receive his letter of acceptance. He may have great difficulty due to a 20 year-old criminal history. I have personally passed a state required "Work Readiness Course." This should aid in receiving government grants for my schooling. Three weeks of schooling, road tests, and HazMat endorsement test, will make me ready for hire by December of this year. I hope to be employed soon after (so does my Wife, and Landlord!)

Anyhow, thanks for the advice, and your encouragement. You men have been pretty helpful.

Nubz · #7 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 02:10 PM

if you want to do it then go for it
i really enjoyed driving otr myself
just remember its not the kind of job you do for the money it has to be something you truly enjoy doing or you wont be happy
"SEE THE COUNTRY"....just dont let them get you with this line for you will see the country but out the window of a truck lol

roadranger · #8 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 03:44 PM

I am scheduled for schooling in the end of this month. I should begin no later than Nov. 30th. Then upon graduation three weeks later, I'll begin employment with some company somewhere.

roadranger · #9 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009, 01:01 PM

I got a call from the school and they are willing to begin enrollment for me next Monday, the 23rd. I am excited of the news! I don't know how they well work around the holidays, but I'm sure they will let me know when I get there. Wish me luck!