Which Is The Best Path?

Hello again forum, I had something I wanted to run by you all:

After lurking for years I am looking to take the plunge here around March/April 2024.

I am currently in the Central Florida area. I am planning to go into Cypress trucking’s company CDL program. My ultimate plan is to use my mom’s house in TX as my residency and be out OTR as long as I can do it. My question is: Would it be best to start trucking here in FL and then transition out to TX after I am established in the company or would it be best to move out to TX, establish residency, then go into Cypress there?

You can train with Cypress in TX and FL and there is an academy over in Tampa which is about 70 mi from where I am. Starting in Florida would be easier in the near term, I could just put my stuff in storage and use a domicile service as I am not going to keep paying $1600 in rent for a place I will never see. I am single with no kids.

Of course I would have to eventually take time off and move everything over to TX, which is where moving out to TX and getting everything done now would put me ahead. I guess a lot of my trepidation comes from any potential pitfalls that could come with getting established in another state and starting in the trucking school/industry. What do you guys think would be the best path?

DJ, this is a good question for you to figure out now ahead of time. Good thinking.

I can’t weigh all the factors that might Influence your decision, but I’ll throw you some considerations.

First, you will find that when you go OTR and are out there for extended periods of time, that it is difficult to get stuff done from the truck. Hard to get the time off, hard to get to places with your truck, even hard to find a place to park your truck near where you need to go. Getting all that moving process done ahead of time will be a big advantage to you. You would have all those headaches out of the way and be better able to focus on your job and driving. Trust me, you don’t need any unnecessary matters to deal with when you first start driving.

I recently changed my state of residency from WI to SD and it was a hassle to accomplish that while still working and not taking vacation time.

Also, it might in some way be an advantage to you in the future to have TX as your residency state rather than FL. More trucking opportunities in TX than FL, from what I have been told.

Good luck with the process!

BK, thanks for the input. I agree that it would probably be best to have everything squared away before starting trucking. I would imagine, like you said, that it would be very difficult to get things done from the truck and would be a distraction to have to take time off.

I know that companies don't look too favorably on frequent moves but I imagine one move and a few weeks of unemployment while getting established in TX would not be that big of a deal?

Since it sounds like the company has operations in both states, I'd highly recommend that confirm you are hired and successfully graduate their program before moving. In the trucking industry right now, jobs can be difficult to come by.

Also, given failure rate of applicants in the first year, combined with the surplus of available drivers, if you have the opportunity confirmed, I'd recommend making it a success your top priority. Get the career and lifestyle started first, and make sure it's a successful launch, then change stuff.

Since it sounds like the company has operations in both states, I'd highly recommend that confirm you are hired and successfully graduate their program before moving. In the trucking industry right now, jobs can be difficult to come by.

Also, given failure rate of applicants in the first year, combined with the surplus of available drivers, if you have the opportunity confirmed, I'd recommend making it a success your top priority. Get the career and lifestyle started first, and make sure it's a successful launch, then change stuff.

Davy, Another good point. This was the sort of thing I was thinking about with the potential pitfalls involved with moving and going into a company. I did apply back in 2020 and was approved and given a conditional pre hire....but that was 2020 and like you mentioned there is a surplus of drivers now and it would be a completely different ball game.

As I am only supported by myself failure would not be an option and I would give this decision the dedication, attention and effort it deserves.

Let me ask you this: Given that my current job is stable and the current state of the freight market would you recommend waiting it out a bit longer?

Let me ask you this: Given that my current job is stable and the current state of the freight market would you recommend waiting it out a bit longer?

Welcome back! I’ll jump in here too.. You said that conditional hire or pre hire was back in 2020 so you’ll need to get back in touch with them and see if they’re still looking. I know things aren’t fantastic in trucking right now but if a reputable trucking company is willing to hire you and put you through training I see no reason to delay if trucking is what you want to do. Things are generally a bit slower out here but there are still plenty of us making money. I just did 14,000 miles last month working for a small carrier. My buddy works for Walmart and has grossed $106k this year and he even had 10 weeks off for health reasons. I have another buddy working for a smaller carrier also pulling approximately 3000 miles a week.

Obviously these are just anecdotal examples that don’t carry much weight but I have personally done just fine since things have really gone downhill the last year or so specifically. I’ve found that if you come in with a good attitude and work ethic and prove yourself to be a productive and safe driver, you will stand out wherever you go.

As far as the moving thing, Davy and BK both have very good points. Personally I’d be a little nervous to move to Texas before I’d fully secured and started a new job in a new field. You can always take a week off later and move yourself to Texas. My two cents

Davy makes a very valid point. If you don’t have a commitment from the company yet, it could be a big mistake to move to TX just on the hope you will be accepted in their training program.

The waters seem to be very muddy right now for those wanting to start a driving career. There is still hiring, but it’s not as easy as it was when I got started back in 2018.

Let me ask you this: Given that my current job is stable and the current state of the freight market would you recommend waiting it out a bit longer?

Welcome back! I’ll jump in here too.. You said that conditional hire or pre hire was back in 2020 so you’ll need to get back in touch with them and see if they’re still looking. I know things aren’t fantastic in trucking right now but if a reputable trucking company is willing to hire you and put you through training I see no reason to delay if trucking is what you want to do. Things are generally a bit slower out here but there are still plenty of us making money. I just did 14,000 miles last month working for a small carrier. My buddy works for Walmart and has grossed $106k this year and he even had 10 weeks off for health reasons. I have another buddy working for a smaller carrier also pulling approximately 3000 miles a week.

Yeah, if i were to stay in florida I would not give notice at the current job until I had an orientation date set. That's another thing I would need to ask them: Would I be able to apply to go into their facility in TX without having moved there.....just contingent upon moving out there?

Davy makes a very valid point. If you don’t have a commitment from the company yet, it could be a big mistake to move to TX just on the hope you will be accepted in their training program.

That's another thing that I would need to run by them...would it be possible to apply and get an orientation date contingent upon moving out to TX

Welcome back! I’ll jump in here too.. I just did 14,000 miles last month working for a small carrier. My buddy works for Walmart and has grossed $106k this year and he even had 10 weeks off for health reasons. I have another buddy working for a smaller carrier also pulling approximately 3000 miles a week.

Congrats on those miles....that is something!