Quit The 9-5 Desk Job?
Topic 16251 | Page 1
Check out these two great links...
List Of Trucking Companies That Allow Pets
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Most of the companies are going to be about the same. Just make sure you do the research and find one that fits your needs and make the commitment for at least a year of employment to that company.
Also take the time to do some reflecting. Make sure that the OTR life is what you want. There are articles here on what the life of a trucker is like. It can be hard if you have a family or an active social life.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
I highly recommend reviewing these links before going too much further:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
Good luck!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Make sure you read the fine print on the pet policies. Most companies don't allow large dogs and some even have breed restrictions so make sure before you sing the contract that you can bring your buddy along.
Try to imagine goinh to your 9-5 job twice a day. I'm not trying to be a smartass. When you are running good miles, you will Drive, Eat and Sleep(at times irregularly at best). You may not get a shower everyday. I have read it many times on this forum and elsewhere. Truck Driving is not a job, it is a lifestyle. I'm not sure where you live or the cost of living, but you will not be making $1000.00+ per week right out of the gate as you are with your desk job. You will have to work almost twice that many hours to achieve that pay. Good Luck!
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Mitch, there are many, thousands, of people who wouldn't trade trucking for any other job. When Sambo, Jakebrake and Tractor Man seem to be a bit down on the idea, it's because so many people also come here dreamy eyed looking for the adventure, but not taking into account all the sweat, both real and figurative that is involved with trucking.
We all really want to help new truckers adjust to the realities of trucking and get a lifestyle of real adventure. Read the two books on G-town's list. The High Road Training Program will get you ready for your first step: the CDL learner permit.
Welcome to the "club", Mitch!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Mitch, there are many, thousands, of people who wouldn't trade trucking for any other job. When Sambo, Jakebrake and Tractor Man seem to be a bit down on the idea, it's because so many people also come here dreamy eyed looking for the adventure, but not taking into account all the sweat, both real and figurative that is involved with trucking.
We all really want to help new truckers adjust to the realities of trucking and get a lifestyle of real adventure. Read the two books on G-town's list. The High Road Training Program will get you ready for your first step: the CDL learner permit.
Welcome to the "club", Mitch!
I'm not down on the idea. I really love trucking and think it's a great career choice. I was just warning because while there are more and more companies that allow pets very few allow pets as big as a great Dane.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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I could use some advice or opinions. I turned down the chance to go to a local technical college for a CDL because while I was waiting for the semester to start I got an offer for a local desk job for $26/hr and accepted it. Now I'm sitting in a cubicle surrounded by hundreds of other cubicles, a micro manager boss and have lousy high deductible health insurance. So now I'm having second thoughts about my decision. Since it's too late to get into the tech college this year I'm thinking about finding a trucking company that will get me my CDL in return for time in service and allow me to bring my dog once training is over. Can anyone recommend a reputable company for me to approach? I realize I'll have to do OTR for a year or longer. BTW, the dog is the size of a Great Dane but is very low energy. Thanks.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices