Transitioning From Call Centers

I've been in call centers for about 20 years in different capacities. The bottom lines is, it just doesn't pay the bills. I also have come to hate it. I have yearned to get out from behind my desk and have adventure. I love driving out on the highway in my own car. I always enjoyed taking trips. I don't have children nor a wife. I'm approaching 45. I have been thinking about joining PAM because they pay for the license and I can get experience. I really like this forum, I'm seeking some advice from some of you veterans and novices. Is PAM a good way to go? I don't have six thousand lying around. What kind of dramatic shifts in lifestyle should I look for? Is it hard to make that 50k a year if I take a lot of runs, or is that up to your dispatcher. Currently after taxes I make about 1900.00 a month. I'm concerned if PAM pays for it, they will take too big a chunk out of my check, do you have suggestions on other companies that let novices earn their CDL through the company and pay it back through your pay?

I've been in call centers for about 20 years in different capacities. The bottom lines is, it just doesn't pay the bills. I also have come to hate it. I have yearned to get out from behind my desk and have adventure. I love driving out on the highway in my own car. I always enjoyed taking trips. I don't have children nor a wife. I'm approaching 45. I have been thinking about joining PAM because they pay for the license and I can get experience. I really like this forum, I'm seeking some advice from some of you veterans and novices. Is PAM a good way to go? I don't have six thousand lying around. What kind of dramatic shifts in lifestyle should I look for? Is it hard to make that 50k a year if I take a lot of runs, or is that up to your dispatcher. Currently after taxes I make about 1900.00 a month. I'm concerned if PAM pays for it, they will take too big a chunk out of my check, do you have suggestions on other companies that let novices earn their CDL through the company and pay it back through your pay?

Welcome to TT.

PAM is a decent company, and you shouldn't have a problem clearing at least that, each month. We have a couple PAM drivers here, who will probably chime in.

In my personal opinion, there are better choices out there, but that is completely subjective, due to my own needs and wants.

Vic, if you're looking for companies, have you seen our lists and reviews?

Trucking Company Reviews

• Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing Your First Truck Driving Job
• Article Category: Finding The Right Truck Driving Job
• Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Trucking Company"

Paid CDL Training Programs

And our "starter kit":

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

The High Road program will get you to to speed to take and pass the CDL written exam.

Vic, welcome to TT. People here come from many backgrounds. There is a thread in this forum asking people what they did before trucking. Good luck.

Just remember. If you are used to punching a clock and working a 40 hour week , there will be an adjustment. 60-70 hour weeks and crazy sleep schedules. If you can adapt, you will do just fine. Good Luck!

I went with Prime for 2 reasons... school is completely free as long as you stay 1 year. You pay nothing unless you leave before that. (Except 155 for fees and the permit/license).

The second reason is that they pay more during training once you have a license than most carriers... and they pay more per mile once you go solo.. than most. Not all.. but most.

The larger carriers all have pretty good equipment and newer. I can state that as a company driver I have yet to tell prime something is wrong with my truck and they refuse to fix it. They fix it immediately. I get home on time. ..sometimes early.

They make you pay for chains... load locks.. pad locks and some other stuff once you go solo. Because of this my average check was about 500 to 600 per week clear.. don't ask gross cause that isn't important to.me so I don't lnow. Hahahha. After 4 mons most of that stuff was paid pff.. including 1000 for my cat fees. Now I'm clearing between 750 to 1000 per week clear. But keep in mind that home time weeks are much lower cause you don't get paid when you don't run. So when going home I usually clear between 100 to 300 depending on how the week falls.

I started in sept got my license halloween... got done training in feb and went solo valentines day.

The company sponsored list on this site is excellent cause it helps you determine which is the best company for you. Many of us went that route and can answer most questions you might have. Good luck ;)

I had roughly 15 years in call centers when I started driving two years ago. I have replaced the money I was making there, and then some.

On bad days at the office, I used to say to myself, "At least I'm not mopping floors." (Nothing wrong with mopping floors, I just hated doing it when it was part of my job many years ago.)

On bad days trucking, I say to myself, "At least I'm not working in a call center." I don't have to deal with 200 emails or listen to escalated calls or figure out how to cover staffing. I just have to get this load there safely and on time, and if I can't do both, safely wins.

My favorite feeling now is getting empty. My favorite feeling then was leaving for the day. It's been quite an adjustment at times, but totally worth it, at least for me.

Vic C.

I was in a similar situation as you a number of years ago. Basically, working behind a desk and wondering if this will be how my life will end. I would drive by this large billboard on the way to work, advertising a truck driving school and it was engrained into my memory.

A number of years later, after quitting my job and traveling part of the world my funds dried up. So, here was the opportunity to persue truck driving and have been doing this for 1 1/2 years. There have been many office workers that arrived at the infamous fork in the road and have chosen the trucking path.

I'll give it to you straight from my prospective. It is not a job, but a lifestyle. It's a cliche, but is true. You travel the USA in every direction and more. You meet all kinds of people and drive through the most beautiful places in this country.

I personally think a good test for a potential driver is, do you like camping and RV trips? Think of truck driving as the worst RV trip imaginable. There is no bathroom, a small kitchen and tiny quarters. But one of the most rewarding lifestyle you will ever have. I am a minimalist, so the cab area has everything I need.

Let’s talk about money. Can you make 50k? You sure can and that's about what I am expecting this year. In fact, I have already contributed the max of 18k to my 401k and 5k to my IRA. The beauty is that in your situation, you can live in your truck and won't pay rent, electricity, etc. However, I hussel to make money as a second year company driver. WhIle others are eating and relaxing at truck stops, my main priority is to keep moving.

Could I do this job for 30 years straight? Honestly, no. But for 10 years, sure. Even, every other year, if possible.

For the lifestyle question you asked, the challenges for me has been the solitude. It has been days without talking more that a few words. I live by my XMSIRIUS radio. I call friends and family, read, etc.

I am never frustrated with traffic or weather, but shippers and receivers make me loose my patience.

I go a few days without showering and that is hard for me to adapt.

I drive so many hours, that I did not even think it was possible, but each mile pays. I focus on safety, but always can be safer.

The other question about reimbursement, I receive 150.00 per month from the company which is about average. My CDL school was not through a trucking company, but an independent school. It cost around 5k.

Listen to the posters here, because they have a lot more experience than me.

Good Luck on whichever direction you choose!