I'm Getting Started
Topic 5799 | Page 1
I'm sure glad you found us! Maybe I can talk some of this nonsense out of you! 
I would seriously pursue that financial aid because that loan will come back to bite you hard. But that'll be a life lesson.
As for your schooling, dude I say go for your Class A! In terms of schooling, it'll take you just as long. You'll still be studying Air Brakes and General Knowledge anyways. If you just add Combination Vehicles in there you will have that Class A. It's hardly any extra work but the difference between an A and B is huge.
Having that Class A, with very little extra effort, is going to make you look a whole lot better as a potential employee. It'll look better on your resume and increase your chances of getting that job you want.
You're going to be in school anyways so why not go for the Class A? What if you want to drive a real truck in a few years? You'll already have that license and be ready to go! But if you don't get it back to school you go just because you were being lazy when you were at school.
That loan is up to you, but I seriously encourage you to reconsider getting that Class A while you're there. It will only benefit you and for hardly any extra effort. 
Combination Vehicle:
A vehicle with two separate parts - the power unit (tractor) and the trailer. Tractor-trailers are considered combination vehicles.
Hahaha, thank you for the welcome and I totally saw that coming! ;)
I fully understand what you are saying about the class A license and I still have a bit over a month or so to consider what size of a loan I might try to take out. the Class B license only costs just under $3,000 while the Class A is just a tad over $5,500. I am already paying $300 a month on my car alone so the new $150 a month payment that the bank quoted me would be more than manageable so I cannot say I'm too worried about the loan coming back to bite me in the butt ;)
I will certainly give your advice consideration tho.
Come OTR , we need more young people on the road! I never see anyone from my generation, just a whole lot of old people.
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 have to say I think I would get pretty homesick doing OTR. How many days in a row are you usually away ?
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 have to say I think I would get pretty homesick doing OTR. How many days in a row are you usually away ?
Three weeks, and then 3 days home. I used to do more than three weeks but I'm burnt out of doing that. The money is very good though.
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.
Come OTR , we need more young people on the road! I never see anyone from my generation, just a whole lot of old people.
Oh I'm not offended at all. Ya big poopy butt lol
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.
Come OTR , we need more young people on the road! I never see anyone from my generation, just a whole lot of old people.
Oh I'm not offended at all. Ya big poopy butt lol
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.
Come OTR , we need more young people on the road! I never see anyone from my generation, just a whole lot of old people.
Good news Daniel. My fiance and I should be out there training by December, in our own truck by January/February. We're both 22, I turn 23 on the 31st of this month. Hopefully we'll cross paths!
Oh and Josh, I would also recommend going for your Class A, even if you are not going OTR. Depending on what area you live in, there are a multitude of local jobs that require a Class A. It will be easier to find local work, and you can drive anything a Class B can drive except a bus. You could always add passenger endorsement to an A as well. I'm going through school now, and we've already had many recruiters for local companies come through. They are mostly looking for Class A drivers. Then again, I'm in the CA right next to a huge seaport. Your location could be different.
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.
Just so u know class a us better you can do both. Don't have to drive otr
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.
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Hello everyone, I just found this site yesterday but after several hours of perusing I honestly have to say that this is a great place! I have always had a fascination with driving and enjoy it immensely...and all of a sudden I realized "what the hell? I'm 23 and I can do it if that is what I actually want!" now, I can also say that I have read enough topics to know that what I'm about to say is sort of looked down upon but that is okay I understand why I'm doing what I'm doing and that is all that matters. I am going to be taking out a personal loan in November (I'm blessed with an uncle who will cosign with me) to 1 pay off my car and 2 pay for CDL driving school. The CDL class I am going to be going to is at an actual technical school and so I could actually qualify for financial aid etc but I just think it will be easier to take out the loan. I am only going for my class B CDL and not the class A, I honestly have no interest at this moment in the work that I could obtain through a class A license and it just so happens that class B is also cheaper (which is always nice) I'm more interested in doing local trucking jobs or otherwise. Driving a straight truck, dump truck, garbage truck, bus etc just sounds really appealing to me. Now am I saying that I am against getting my CDL A? not really...perhaps after a while I will suddenly get a hankering for OTR...but at this juncture in my life it is not on my radar.
I understand that this goal probably wouldn't really make me a truck driver but...I figure the support group and that snazzy looking CDL course is well worth it!
Anyways hello and I look forward to getting to know you all and share my experiences as I work my way out of this dead end retail job :)
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.