Cory
Gold Certificate Member
Life's a pair of pants, and I'm just shitting in em baby!
Posts: 1,229
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Post by Cory on Dec 16, 2013 2:03:23 GMT -6
Alright this is really set out to reach out to the guys that are full time/part time truck drivers in USA. I've been thinking about becoming a truck driver, And I was planning on going to Roadmaster CDL Training school, What my main question is, Is going to Roadmaster worth it? Or should I just try to get in touch with a current truck driver locally and try to see if he can spare some time and teach me some stuff. I'd like to know the best way to get started in the career
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 6:35:39 GMT -6
Id go look at TheTruckersreport.com they have a ton of threads discussing roadmaster trucking school. its a very useful forum for real truck drivers getting started. I suggest go taking a look at it!
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Cory
Gold Certificate Member
Life's a pair of pants, and I'm just shitting in em baby!
Posts: 1,229
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Post by Cory on Dec 16, 2013 7:01:47 GMT -6
Thanks for the reply Hillbilly! I'll be sure to check that site out. You're a trucker yourself correct?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 8:08:21 GMT -6
I half to agree with Hillbilly man. There are several ways to go about getting into the career trucking industry but its a good idea to do your homework first. I got into it becaise my dad has driven a truck all my life and when I joined the military thats what I decided I wanted to do that way when I got out I had something to fall back on that I knew would pay decent so thats how I got in but trucking schools are sketchy. Some just push you through to get you on the road under a contract with a company for year and some actually are decent and take the time to teach you something so ultimately its your choice in the end but Hillbilly is right as rain man. Do some searching.
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Post by Colonel on Dec 16, 2013 9:33:55 GMT -6
I would definitely try to find someone to let you ride with. Preferably someone that owns their own truck, or a guy that owns a company. Study your Safety manual, ride with someone that knows what the're doing, and get your permit to start learning to drive, and then find a good school that can teach you what you haven't learned already. Some companies will help pay for your schooling if you get a job with them after graduation. I know that TMC could pay you up to $6,000 for your driving school tuition. That's my 2c. My dad is trying to get his boss to let me ride in the truck to learn. If that happens, I probably won't go to a driving school, but if he can't take me then I'll have to go to a school. Not sure where I'll work once I get out, but I'll find something. There's no shortage of driving jobs, just a shortage of really good ones. lol
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Cory
Gold Certificate Member
Life's a pair of pants, and I'm just shitting in em baby!
Posts: 1,229
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Post by Cory on Dec 16, 2013 10:02:01 GMT -6
Thanks for y'all's input, I was really planning on searching around a bit, I might ride around alittle bit and see If I can find someone that's willing to pass on the trade. There's a few local guys that have trucks at their house, Just gotta find the time to talk to them! And the TMC thing ain't a bad idea, I don't really care who I work for at the start.
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359er
Gold Certificate Member
The TMS Bed Bug
#RadOutGranma
Posts: 3,177
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Post by 359er on Dec 16, 2013 11:20:04 GMT -6
I would hire on to a company that will help. Like me with Estes, when I turn 21 they'll get me my CDL. Their trucks, their course. They send you to a week long camp type thing and you take the test to get your practice CDL then you drive with a local guy until you're ready to take the real test.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2013 12:47:28 GMT -6
TMC will pay for your schooling but you half to do it a theor facility and they also have a flatbed course you half to take. I knew a few fellad that worked for them when I was driving for my dad. Colonel is right there is no shortage of jobs out there just a shortage of good ones so dont shoot yourself in the damn foot. Some companies like Covenant here where I live will pay for your schooling but when you complete it they will put with a driver trainer for OJT and stick your ass out on the road for months at a time with layovers up to the last few minutes the miraculously find you a load right when your getting ready to get your layover pay and they make you sign a contract for one year so that if you quit you half to reimburse them for your schooling and they screw with your pay so dont fall for none of that contract crap unless you know 100% that they aint gonna give you the shaft man. Good luck with it.
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Kyle
Gold Certificate Member
Posts: 2,440
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Post by Kyle on Dec 16, 2013 13:45:38 GMT -6
There was someone here that did the a driving school. Lormand did school 2. I think it can work either. Just gotta work hard for it.
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Post by harleyoutlaw on Dec 18, 2013 0:58:08 GMT -6
In todays world, the riding with a guy getting the CDL is going to end up screwing you up more then helping out. I would suggest going to a technical training program, or hiring on with a company that does training ie: Roehl Transport, Swift Transport, Central Refridgerated, CRST, CR England, Etc. That would be the best route hands down.
The only reason I would ride with someone is to make sure it's something you really want to do and your heart is in it. This job is not easy. It's a pretty dangerous job really.
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bhfanatik
Diesel Jockey
Random forum troll
Posts: 1,517
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Post by bhfanatik on Dec 18, 2013 13:13:48 GMT -6
In todays world, the riding with a guy getting the CDL is going to end up screwing you up more then helping out. I would suggest going to a technical training program, or hiring on with a company that does training ie: Roehl Transport, Swift Transport, Central Refridgerated, CRST, CR England, Etc. That would be the best route hands down. The only reason I would ride with someone is to make sure it's something you really want to do and your heart is in it. This job is not easy. It's a pretty dangerous job really. WAIT! You mean to tell me it's nothing like me sitting at my computer and driving a truck down a virtual highway with my virtual load?!
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Sam
OTR Trucker
Posts: 397
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Post by Sam on Dec 30, 2013 15:30:48 GMT -6
If you didn't grow up in trucks go to road master. Then drive for some one like TMC. If someone grew up in trucks I would suggest just going and getting a CDL. I got mine at 18 with one of my dads old junky ass Pete's. Then I bought the one in my sig from him and pulled his trailers..but you probably couldn't do that now..
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Taz
Company Driver
Posts: 135
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Post by Taz on Dec 30, 2013 16:34:07 GMT -6
I got mine thru a local community college the instructors had over 90 years of experience combined and taught well
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