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Posted: 1/31/2019 9:50:07 AM EDT
[#1]
I usually run 55-60.
Not this week; My truck is in the shop. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 9:53:59 AM EDT
[#2]
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Trucking is a long way from autonomous. We can't even get a driverless sedan operating correctly. Trucking is King when it comes to short distance on time delivery. By short distance I mean 600 miles or less. Longer distances make sense when you factor in on time demands and the relative rigidity of the railroads who still say "our way or the highway". Giving truckers more time in the cab, not necessarily behind the wheel, might make economic sense. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 9:56:25 AM EDT
[#3]
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I'm 100% behind the idea of autonomous trucks if they can be programmed to avoid blocking the fast lane for 30 min. at a stretch by trying to pass another truck going 1 mph slower. The out of work truckers can then be utilized to test diabetes medicine. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 10:28:20 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Finding someone with a work ethic who doesn't use drugs, has an IQ above room temperature, and isn't a raging asshole is challenging. We had to fire one methbilly genius for attempting (partially successfully!) to deadlift a 1500lb piece of scrap steel after being repeatedly told by multiple supervisors to wait until it was torched up into manageable pieces. Fucked up his back, obviously. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 10:40:19 AM EDT
[#5]
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I have tons of respect for the trades and feel that I would have been more fulfilled being a mechanic than an IT monkey. Hell, after 4 college degrees my plumber neighbor takes home more than I do. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 10:42:51 AM EDT
[#6]
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There are a lot of careers that should not require a 4 year degree. IT is one of them, speaking from experience. I really wish the apprenticeship system would come back in favor. In IT, hands on experience is the way to go over a four year degree that doesn't teach you what you need to know. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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I have tons of respect for the trades and feel that I would have been more fulfilled being a mechanic than an IT monkey. Hell, after 4 college degrees my plumber neighbor takes home more than I do. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 11:21:00 AM EDT
[#7]
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Posted: 1/31/2019 11:52:01 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Autonomous trucks on I-10  Attached File |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 12:31:55 PM EDT
[#9]
Never said they could. Several folks said it would be twenty years or more before they're in use. They'll be here in the next few years hauling terminal to terminal.
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Posted: 1/31/2019 12:35:58 PM EDT
[#10]
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Some Cold War era policy regulating freight. Don't know the details but saw a interview with the head of BNSF and he cited it as a limiting factor to rail freight Quote HistoryQuoted:
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What law is that? |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 12:43:46 PM EDT
[#11]
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When was truck driving ever middle class, seems solidly working class to me. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 12:48:44 PM EDT
[#12]
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isn’t walmart recruiting right now? I saw $90k in the ad. Today however third world trash is taking over the industry, driving down wages. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 12:53:26 PM EDT
[#13]
If not driverless trucks, then migrant drivers.
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Posted: 1/31/2019 12:59:08 PM EDT
[#14]
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He will if he works all year. Hauling solely to frac sites has its disadvantages too. They are not always fracking. People who dont drive, dont realize you can make more doing it than you would if you worked in some salaried office job 10 hours a day for 60-80k. I know a shit ton of white collar office people who think they are rollin in it and they make 50k. and thats laughable trucker money..... meanwhile they look down their noses at the truckers. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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A buddy of mine is hauling diesel to frac sites in the Permian and has sent me screen shots of his first 3 paychecks. I can't figure out how he's not going to break way over 100k. I might be joining him soon. Hauling solely to frac sites has its disadvantages too. They are not always fracking. People who dont drive, dont realize you can make more doing it than you would if you worked in some salaried office job 10 hours a day for 60-80k. I know a shit ton of white collar office people who think they are rollin in it and they make 50k. and thats laughable trucker money..... meanwhile they look down their noses at the truckers. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 1:05:17 PM EDT
[#15]
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Got a bunch of 5 year safe driving patches that I haven't sown on to anything yet, along with a $30k+ (before taxes) bonus. Was easy enough to get; do your job the way the company wants, no tickets, no violations, no write-ups, easy peasy. Working on getting my 10 year bonus which will be even bigger. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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It's precisely this reason why I don't introduce myself as a "truck driver.". I'm a Carhauler... For the best outfit in the industry. And I'm among the best where I am. 5 out of 5 rating- Quality, safety, productivity, everything. I just got my jacket this week. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/69748/IMG_20190128_142126_jpg-827875.JPG It's sitting on the floor, propped against the wall in his basement still. He missed his yearly safety bonus one time. I know that for certain because he spent the whole next year bitching about it nonstop. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 1:17:28 PM EDT
[#16]
Meh, you can get time off and good money at the right place. We run team so there’s time in the sleeper surfing arfcom and my codriver and I don’t fuck around so we get back at 1630 on Monday, 2000 on Wednesday, and 1300 on Friday instead of the times listed. We do leave earlier than scheduled on Sunday and later on Tuesday (full disclosure).
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Posted: 1/31/2019 2:15:54 PM EDT
[#17]
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They are and I think they are the only one. Maybe one other? Friend has driven for them for 20 years. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Is ABF still union? |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 8:45:41 PM EDT
[#18]
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I have an interview tomorrow for a local driver position with FedEx, so wish me luck. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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This exactly. The college for everyone push has hurt the country. Since then, I've taken two pay cuts (one 15%) and have had crappy raises for the last 10 years. In 2016, I had to start over in my field by taking a job that I could have gotten right after college if I had wanted to. My friend, who dropped out of college, has seen his salary steadily increase and now makes about $30K more than I do while driving a truck. I'm really starting to think that I was the chump for going to college..... |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 8:47:48 PM EDT
[#19]
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Working class is when you buy the wife a five year old Tahoe with a lift kit and 150k on it instead of a stock five year old Tahoe with 50k. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted: What's the difference? |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 8:49:07 PM EDT
[#20]
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Good luck, I'm going to apply there when I get my Haz-Mat Quote HistoryQuoted:
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This exactly. The college for everyone push has hurt the country. Since then, I've taken two pay cuts (one 15%) and have had crappy raises for the last 10 years. In 2016, I had to start over in my field by taking a job that I could have gotten right after college if I had wanted to. My friend, who dropped out of college, has seen his salary steadily increase and now makes about $30K more than I do while driving a truck. I'm really starting to think that I was the chump for going to college..... |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 8:51:35 PM EDT
[#21]
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Most drivers are 70hrs a week, 11hrs able to be on-duty drive status a day, 14hrs to be on-duty status a day. There is an special rule we can use, which allows us to go up to 16hrs one day, once per week. But that is only used if we get stuck somewhere because of an accident, weather, etc. But it doesn't add on to your 11hr drive time. So if I hit up central Wyoming (about 3.5hrs driving, and maybe 4.5hrs on-duty) and I-80 closes for a few hours. I could be sitting out there for about 8 hours then start driving back and once my clock hits 14hrs, the computer recalculates my drive and on-duty time, giving me enough time (as long as I didn't exceed 11hrs driving) to make it back home, or to a hotel (Day Cabs) For us (specifically my guys) to burn through 70 hours in a typical 5 day work work, something went way wrong. We usually work about 45-55 hours or so. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Walmart is starting to hire drivers at $90k a year, but if minimum wage is $15 an hr and you work 70 hrs a week, can you be a retard still? Yes you can. For us (specifically my guys) to burn through 70 hours in a typical 5 day work work, something went way wrong. We usually work about 45-55 hours or so. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 8:54:44 PM EDT
[#22]
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Anyone who works with robots and automation laughs at this idea. We can't even automate rail, they can't turn and don't share their lane with anyone. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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We're still a long way from driverless trucks. We can't even automate rail, they can't turn and don't share their lane with anyone. Doesn't seem like there is that much labor to save in the context of load weight as there is with trucks. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 9:11:02 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Autonomous trucks on I-10 
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Posted: 1/31/2019 9:21:28 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Anyone who works with robots and automation laughs at this idea. We can't even automate rail, they can't turn and don't share their lane with anyone. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 10:31:37 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
When was truck driving ever middle class, seems solidly working class to me. There seems to be a fork, in many instances those same jobs aren't getting people to the middle class, on the other some of those jobs such as electrician are absolutely still getting people to the middle class with ease but are looked down upon by may in the education system and people aren't being properly directed there. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 10:45:58 PM EDT
[#26]
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Most working class (also referred to as low class or poor) people in America falsely think they are actually middle class. An easy way I define it. Poor: has nothing. Working class: depends solely on work, and can't save. Middle class: depends on work and some assets, and can save. Upper class: doesn't depend on work due to large assets (passive income). Quote HistoryQuoted:
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When was truck driving ever middle class, seems solidly working class to me. An easy way I define it. Poor: has nothing. Working class: depends solely on work, and can't save. Middle class: depends on work and some assets, and can save. Upper class: doesn't depend on work due to large assets (passive income). Note in some areas cost of living is such that this equation may not paint an accurate picture. However, there are a lot of people who will falsely think this applies to their situation. Truth is across the country housing is very very expensive compared to 50 years ago. Places like San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Napa, New York, Honolulu run between 20 and 25% more expensive, so upper class for them might be cresting 150K. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 11:03:20 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
if your company delivers within 100 air miles to your office and you are home nightly there is a different set of regs. |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 11:06:16 PM EDT
[#28]
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if your company delivers within 100 air miles to your office and you are home nightly there is a different set of regs. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Walmart is starting to hire drivers at $90k a year, but if minimum wage is $15 an hr and you work 70 hrs a week, can you be a retard still? Yes you can. For us (specifically my guys) to burn through 70 hours in a typical 5 day work work, something went way wrong. We usually work about 45-55 hours or so. If it wasn't for the state lines thing, my guys would be ELD exempt. However, my office is about 8 air miles from the PA border. My other office is about 8 miles from the Michigan border. And my office in Indiana, is about 12 miles from the Illinois border... |
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Posted: 1/31/2019 11:36:25 PM EDT
[#29]
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Bears repeating,also a driving force for importing labor from south of the border  Quote HistoryQuoted:
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I think it's similar to other fields such as manufacturing, welding, etc. Beginning in the 1980's, "Society" deemed it to be an undesirable career for uneducated low achievers and it was represented as such. It was the dead-end hell that the movie protagonists were trying to escape. Everyone had to go to college so they could work in an office and not get their hands dirty. Fast forward a generation, and here we are. Baristas with PhD's and skilled trades desperate for anyone with a pulse. At one time this applied to fruit pickers and ditch diggers. Then it was taxi drivers and warehouse workers and construction. Now is it is even more jobs. The rich that make up the top 3% but not the top 0.1% are going to be in for a big surprise when their kids who get 'career jobs' like lawyer find out that programs can do 90% of the simple contracts, wills, and pretty much all novice lawyer work, and when imported doctors are filling up most of the medical openings. The true rich, those who can live on their capital alone, will have succeeded at getting us back to the same system as in the middle ages....no middle class just the true rich, the true poor, and the constant fall of a handful of true rich to poor every generation. |
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Posted: 2/1/2019 12:16:53 AM EDT
[#30]
I see these guys all the time on the roads in Washington.
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Posted: 2/1/2019 12:25:46 AM EDT
[#31]
I was talking about this to a friend of my son yesterday so this would be a good place to ask.
Whats at the cost of training and how long? whats the first and second year income? He wanted to go into computer engineering and was asking me how I did it, but I'm the complete exception to the rule.. I was trying to tell him to get a trade job but didn't have any info on OTR driving. |
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Posted: 2/1/2019 4:59:53 AM EDT
[#32]
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Or hoping over state lines... If it wasn't for the state lines thing, my guys would be ELD exempt. However, my office is about 8 air miles from the PA border. My other office is about 8 miles from the Michigan border. And my office in Indiana, is about 12 miles from the Illinois border... Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Walmart is starting to hire drivers at $90k a year, but if minimum wage is $15 an hr and you work 70 hrs a week, can you be a retard still? Yes you can. For us (specifically my guys) to burn through 70 hours in a typical 5 day work work, something went way wrong. We usually work about 45-55 hours or so. If it wasn't for the state lines thing, my guys would be ELD exempt. However, my office is about 8 air miles from the PA border. My other office is about 8 miles from the Michigan border. And my office in Indiana, is about 12 miles from the Illinois border... 
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Posted: 2/1/2019 6:16:13 AM EDT
[#33]
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A common definition of middle class is someone who is making from 75% of median household income to 200% of median household income. Median household is 60K. That means a lot of of people making 120K are actually 'upper class' but don't label themselves as that. They like to think only the top 1% or even top 0.1% as upper class. It allows them to not take any blame. Note in some areas cost of living is such that this equation may not paint an accurate picture. However, there are a lot of people who will falsely think this applies to their situation. Truth is across the country housing is very very expensive compared to 50 years ago. Places like San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Napa, New York, Honolulu run between 20 and 25% more expensive, so upper class for them might be cresting 150K. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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When was truck driving ever middle class, seems solidly working class to me. An easy way I define it. Poor: has nothing. Working class: depends solely on work, and can't save. Middle class: depends on work and some assets, and can save. Upper class: doesn't depend on work due to large assets (passive income). Note in some areas cost of living is such that this equation may not paint an accurate picture. However, there are a lot of people who will falsely think this applies to their situation. Truth is across the country housing is very very expensive compared to 50 years ago. Places like San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Napa, New York, Honolulu run between 20 and 25% more expensive, so upper class for them might be cresting 150K. |
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Posted: 2/1/2019 7:51:11 AM EDT
[#34]
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I was talking about this to a friend of my son yesterday so this would be a good place to ask. Whats at the cost of training and how long? whats the first and second year income? He wanted to go into computer engineering and was asking me how I did it, but I'm the complete exception to the rule.. I was trying to tell him to get a trade job but didn't have any info on OTR driving. The school was 5-6 weeks if I remember correctly. Mine was a little shorter since I didn't have to test out at the DOT Port. Second day of class we went to get our permits, but I walked out with a full license with all endorsements minus Hazmat. Wyoming waves the port test if you have tractor/trailer on your Military drivers license. Started hauling water in the Oilfield, then Propane, then Frac heating. Seven months in, I got a call from a guy I met at Sage, and was asked if I would be interested in hauling fuel, and that's it. See you're in Texas, Oilfield driving might be a good way to get started. |
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Posted: 2/1/2019 11:10:18 AM EDT
[#35]
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I was talking about this to a friend of my son yesterday so this would be a good place to ask. Whats at the cost of training and how long? whats the first and second year income? Good companies won't hire CDL Mill (Get your CDL in TWO WEEKS!) graduates. Many companies that hire from "accredited" training schools like community colleges will reimburse tuition. Five-six (?) week course and he can have a job waiting for him. Get an entry level job, get experience, and move on up. First year $60k+ with a good company, probably regional. Avoid OTR. Specialize. Flatbed, food service, etc. The last driver I trained to haul cars at my company was 25, had a wife and two kids, two cars and owned a house. He started at Pepsi then worked for Sysco (foodservice). He was making +/-$85k there but came to my company to make more. I've got a few years and a million+ safe miles under my belt. I work for the best company in my industry and I made the most money of my life in 2018. Life is good. I choose my own loads and run my own schedule (like all of our drivers). As long as I work and haul cars and don't tear shit up I'm rewarded handsimely. 5 out of 5 driver rating last year. This gives me a bump in my mileage pay and a much larger bonus. My trainer pay is just more gravy for my meat and potatoes. Those that don't work don't last. In fact, the trainee I just mentioned just got a good, newer truck because the guy that was in it is now pursuing other opportunities. He was a 2 out of 5 two years in a row. He's gone.  Attached File |
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Posted: 2/1/2019 11:44:32 AM EDT
[#36]
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He can go to the Worksource (Texas Workforce Commission) and get a grant or loan and get a CDL at a community college. HCC's course is $3,500. Good companies won't hire CDL Mill (Get your CDL in TWO WEEKS!) graduates. Many companies that hire from "accredited" training schools like community colleges will reimburse tuition. Five-six (?) week course and he can have a job waiting for him. Get an entry level job, get experience, and move on up. First year $60k+ with a good company, probably regional. Avoid OTR. Specialize. Flatbed, food service, etc. The last driver I trained to haul cars at my company was 25, had a wife and two kids, two cars and owned a house. He started at Pepsi then worked for Sysco (foodservice). He was making +/-$85k there but came to my company to make more. I've got a few years and a million+ safe miles under my belt. I work for the best company in my industry and I made the most money of my life in 2018. Life is good. I choose my own loads and run my own schedule (like all of our drivers). As long as I work and haul cars and don't tear shit up I'm rewarded handsimely. 5 out of 5 driver rating last year. This gives me a bump in my mileage pay and a much larger bonus. My trainer pay is just more gravy for my meat and potatoes. Those that don't work don't last. In fact, the trainee I just mentioned just got a good, newer truck because the guy that was in it is now pursuing other opportunities. He was a 2 out of 5 two years in a row. He's gone. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/69748/image000000_03_jpg-829156.JPG I’d love to do it for the experience and $$, but like everything else, the first step is a doozy. |
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Posted: 2/1/2019 11:59:06 AM EDT
[#37]
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When I retired from the .mil, Sage Truck Driving School was about $4k. Military tuition assistance paid for half of mine since I was still active duty on terminal leave. A lot of folks seem to be able to get grant money from the state workforce centers. The school was 5-6 weeks if I remember correctly. Mine was a little shorter since I didn't have to test out at the DOT Port. Second day of class we went to get our permits, but I walked out with a full license with all endorsements minus Hazmat. Wyoming waves the port test if you have tractor/trailer on your Military drivers license. Started hauling water in the Oilfield, then Propane, then Frac heating. Seven months in, I got a call from a guy I met at Sage, and was asked if I would be interested in hauling fuel, and that's it. See you're in Texas, Oilfield driving might be a good way to get started. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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I was talking about this to a friend of my son yesterday so this would be a good place to ask. Whats at the cost of training and how long? whats the first and second year income? He wanted to go into computer engineering and was asking me how I did it, but I'm the complete exception to the rule.. I was trying to tell him to get a trade job but didn't have any info on OTR driving. The school was 5-6 weeks if I remember correctly. Mine was a little shorter since I didn't have to test out at the DOT Port. Second day of class we went to get our permits, but I walked out with a full license with all endorsements minus Hazmat. Wyoming waves the port test if you have tractor/trailer on your Military drivers license. Started hauling water in the Oilfield, then Propane, then Frac heating. Seven months in, I got a call from a guy I met at Sage, and was asked if I would be interested in hauling fuel, and that's it. See you're in Texas, Oilfield driving might be a good way to get started. Paid the $86 and took the test. The driving aspect was a cake walk compared to an f250 with a 35 foot gooseneck through cities. Pre-trip was the only thing I got points knocked off on. 2 points total down. |
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Posted: 2/2/2019 3:35:24 PM EDT
[#38]
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We're still a long way from driverless trucks. 
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