Considering The Switch

Hi everybody. I hope this is the correct place to submit these questions. If I'm in the wrong place, please accept my apologies.

Basically, I have some general questions. I'm considering a career change and know someone who enjoyed driving. I come from a LONG background in Social Work working with homeless kids and decided a few years back it was time for a change. I went to school and became a nationally certified massage therapist. As you can imagine, neither of these careers have me rolling in cash or even able to save much after the bills are paid.

--I know what your thinking, a massage therapist who wants to be a truck driver?--

Anyhow, my questions are:

1. I'm living in Southern Florida currently. Upon reviewing the list here of company sponsored driver training, it seems most don't hire from Florida. Am I mistaken, or are there those that do?

2. I could be wrong - please correct me if I am - but it seems like it could be possible to be able to save some serious money as a driver since much of the time would be spent on the road or spending the night in your truck. I'm trying to establish a bit of a nest egg and was hoping a job as a driver might make it easier than working in social work or as a massage therapist.

3. I keep hearing about team driving. Is that required? I'm kind of looking forward to some solitude. I've spent enough time dealing with people. If you know what I mean. ; )

Thanks in advance!

Welcome aboard Salvatore! You're definitely in the right place.

1) Correct. Most companies don't hire out of Florida because there is very little freight coming out of Florida. There is also a ton of crime against trucks south of I-10 so that doesn't help. But mostly it's the freight thing. So a lot of companies won't run down there, therefore they don't hire from down there. I think Prime does in limited quantities and a couple of others but I can't remember which.

2) You can save a lot of money if you live in the truck. I started driving when I was 21 (in '93) and I lived in the truck for the better part of 15 years. I would just visit family and friends when I wanted some time off. I didn't have a home or a vehicle or anything. I was usually able to save around $1200/month or so after all expenses. I didn't live frugally, but I didn't blow money needlessly either.

3) Some team driving will be required. Everyone runs team with a mentor when they first go out on the road. That's part of your initial training. That time could vary from two weeks to three months depending on the company. Then, some companies like Celadon and CRST, amongst others, are requiring new drivers to run team with another new driver for anywhere from a couple of months to almost a year. This trend seems to be picking up because recently I'm hearing about it from more companies these days. So you'll have to do some teaming regardless of the training you get ( Company-Sponsored Training versus private Truck Driving School) or what company you start out with. Whether or not you have to continue running team after your initial training period on the road depends on company policy.

Thanks Brett. I figured there would be team driving for awhile. I was really wondering if solo driving was something that was possible.

The money thing is great news. Glad to hear that it's possible to build up some bank doing this.

As for the training thing, any ideas how to work around that without having to move?

Also, have you ever heard of a driver letting someone ride along to get an idea of what it's like out there? I'd be interested in trying that.

I didn't do any team driving when training with Schneider. After the 2 weeks of classroom instruction and driving around the training facility town/interstate I did 10 days with a "Training Engineer." I drove, he sat in the passenger seat answering my questions, telling jokes, etc. He was OTR so at night he slept in the bottom bunk and I slept on top. We got along fine, but that's not always the case with trainers. Some Schneider trainees get "lucky" and their Training Engineer is a local driver so they stay with him/her for ~10 days but get to sleep at home or in a hotel every night. Just depends who is available and your area.

The companies that make you team drive, like REALLY team drive (you drive, trainer sleeps) totally boggle me. How can they throw you behind the wheel and let the trainer sleep. Seems like a recipe for disaster. Financially for the company it makes sense, they keep the truck moving. Make sure you inquire to whatever companies you apply about EXACTLY how their training is structured, that way you have no surprises.

As for the training thing, any ideas how to work around that without having to move?

No. Unfortunately every company has hiring zones based on where you live. You would simply have to move to get opportunities with companies that don't hire out of Florida.

Also, have you ever heard of a driver letting someone ride along to get an idea of what it's like out there? I'd be interested in trying that.

Very rarely. One time there was a lady that came through here and Schneider gave her an opportunity to ride along with one of their drivers for a division she was considering signing up with. Usually people who get that opportunity know someone in the industry.

Thanks Brett. You've been a big help. I guess I'll have to look around some more. What did you mean by crimes against trucks?

On a side note, I'm a veteran and just learned about a program called VRAP (Veterans Retraining Assistance Program). Truck Driving is considered a in demand profession. They'll pay for schooling in it's entirety if I can find a school that is recognized by them.

Crimes against trucks could be theft of the truck and trailer or theft of parts. Anyone can open my hood, anyone can take my spare tire, anyone can take my chains, anyone can take my load locks, anyone can pop my tires. Anyone can break my seal and go into my trailer and steal the cargo. Anyone can buy a powertool and cut off my lock and then break seal and steal the cargo. There's lots of ways someone can commit a crime on a truck.

Yap, Daniel nailed it. There are a lot of loads and equipment stolen in Southern Florida relative to the rest of the country. I don't want to make it out to be the Wild West, but relatively speaking Southern Florida is one of the worst crime areas for trucks.

Thanks, for the feedback. That makes a lot of sense to me now. I never considered all of those instances.

The Wild West. That sound like fun! I'd attach some big 'ole antlers on the front grill.

I discovered that I qualify for VRAP (Veterans Retraining Assistance Program. They'll pay for the whole school. There's a technical school not far from where I am and it's approved by Werner. Also, it seems Werner hires out of Florida. Does anyone have any insights or personal experience into Werner and the program there?