Tell Me About Being An Electrician And / Or Truck Driver
Topic 25953 | Page 2
The OP never stated he was the pilot or second seater. I did aviation for my entire USN career but was a fixer, not a flyer.
Hopefully, he’ll drop in and fill in some of the missing details.
What are your goals? What are your priorities?
There are lots of companies offering CDL training and there are more than enough diaries here for you to decide which is the best fit for you, if you decide to go this route. The common thread though all these diaries is dedication. You have to want to do it because if you don't, there's a chance you may decide it's not worth it.
With either one of these fields you can be happy and successful or miserable and a failure.
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.
As someone who used to watch drag racing waaaaaay back in the day, I interpreted "alcohol junkie" to be someone who is into alcohol dragsters, or top fuel racing. Maybe I'm wrong. Just saying.
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Richard, I'm assuming you are in your early 30's? Probably a wife and kids, or at least in your plans? If that is the case, I would recommend the electrician route. I spent the better part or 25 years in construction and related industries. There is a huge shortage of qualified people in the Trades these days. There is this huge myth that has been perpetrated on the last couple of generations, that you MUST go to College. Not true!!There are way to many people going to College and have absolutely no business being there. You can make a very good living as an electrician, plumber, HVAC Tech, etc. With half of marriages ending up in divorce as it is, I think Truck Driving raises that number up much higher. Many Contractors are offering OJT for most of the Trades just trying to fill the available slots with warm bodies, In the hopes of landing a few "live ones". Mike Rowe is one of the biggest and most vocal crusaders in this endeavor. Go to his website and get some great info. Good luck in whatever path you choose!
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.