Question:
43 and leaving the electrical union, ( sick of being laid off 6 mo. out of the year ) I Love to drive, and was a second seat lumper for Allied in early eighties. I will be getting my CDL one way or another. One way is I'm scheduled to be at C1, in IN the beginning of March. PAM has some good deals that will save alot of $$, but is signing a years contract, something you can't get out of anyways? Having to forfeit my MA license for a IN one, doesn't sit well either. The other option is a school in Chicopee MA, 15 min from home,but it's going to cost me big $$. I was looking for any wisdom from somebody who's been in the industry for a while. I've done a mess of research online about getting into the Industry. Believe me that I know that trucking is WORK, and dangerous at times. Married for 20 years, wife could care less if I'm home or not, and my boys are teenagers now, exited at the prospect of filling the second seat.
Question #1 I spoke with Schneider recruiter, she told me if your from
CT,MA,RI,VT,NH, or ME they will only train you after you have your CDL license. why?
Question #2 any drawback to forfeiting a license you've had since 77 for one from another state?
Question #3 drivers don't come right out and say it, but they don't like new england area, whats up with that?
Question #4 what the opinion on PAM? and C1 truck school in Circle City?
Question #5 I've seen online something about having to retake your CDL in your home state?? what's up with that?
Thanks,
and I hope for alot of responses, there's usually two sides to any story.
I wanted toleave some sites here that impressed me, http://www.thetruckersreport.com and This couples page http://www.angelandcroc.com/ is got to be one of the best
TTYL8r

Answer:
Well, here's my view:
1)Forget about schneider,
2) no real drawback---you could always go back and exchange for a MA licence later.
3) I love new england and i love driving in new england area; The other drivers are wusses and are just not used to living in a congested area like us.
4)Forget about PAM
5) Bull$hit; Now, you WILL have to re-take the Haz-mat portion of the test (written) if you transfer the licence to another state if, in fact, you decide to even add the hazmat endorsement to your licence which, at this point, is debateable wether you should even bother w/ hazmat because of all the so-called "homeland insecurity" bullcrap.
Since you are/were and I.B.E.W. worker you can afford to and should go to a private school instead of the company sponsored school thing. Stay a free agent---don't get locked in with a company (especially a sub-standard company) for a year.
In fact, you should be looking at unionized companies (yes, they will hire new drivers) such as mine:
http://www.autotrucktransport.com/home.aspx
and Cassens
Also, i think there are alot of cars being moved in Framingham by Allied, but ask around about allied because i think they might be having finacial trouble(s).
Much, much more later.

Answer:

To say nothing about low pay and high BS quotient.

No idea.

Other than the costs, not really.

-Congestion.
-idiot drivers
-Everything is more expensive in NE than in the rest of the nation
-Winter 6 months out of the year
-crappy roads
-Lots of low bridges, length restrictions, width restirctions, weight restrictions, etc.
-You all talk funny up there.

No opinion.

When you transfer your CDL back to your home state, you may have to retake all the written endorsement exams. You WILL have to retake the haz-mat (if you desire haz mat) and go through the background check and the related expense again. You should not have to retake the road test.
Answer:
[quote="Chad Sexington"]Well, here's my view:
In fact, you should be looking at unionized companies (yes, they will hire new drivers) such as mine:
http://www.autotrucktransport.com/home.aspx
Chad, when are you gonna realize that in less than a year you are going to be out of work? You will be busy for the next 11 months and after that there won't be enough new trucks being sold to keep the guys with 20 years seniority busy. Everyone is buying NOW so that they don't have to take the '07 emission engines.
You might as well be like your half witted brother Diesel Ding A Ling and join Swift while they still have a chair open with your name on it.

Answer:
Since your union why not call the local teamsters in your area? In RI they have a teamster driving school in the Providence area. Mostly single axles/doubles but then ABF has a yard near by. Companies will want a year experience/48 state even if it's driving local, with your union background the teamsters should be easier.

Answer:
Question #1 I spoke with Schneider recruiter, she told me if your from
CT,MA,RI,VT,NH, or ME they will only train you after you have your CDL license. why?
==========================================================
If you do not wreck the truck driving schools truck running up in that area, Schneider will put you behind the wheel of their truck...."after" you have your CDL.
Wreck the schools truck?
No CDL.

Answer:
Because I'm a IBEW worker I can't afford the private school, the unemployement grant money for training won't be coming in until July 1st., I'm out of unemployment with my back to the wall at this point. I have to make the move now, hopefully as a investment in the future.
I stopped by our teamsters hall in Springfield, and the BM told me to get my CDL and stop back in (no help). The blogs from the union drivers (like roadway) seemed to hate the teamsters, I don't know if it's just plain hate and discontent, or true? Do union truckers get laid off like every other union? That's one of the reasons I'm planning on leaving.
Since the Teamsters left the AFL/CIO the building trades haven't been getting along with them to good. I don't want to go from one laid off half the year job to another one.
Hey, joerockhead you talk like you know whats going on, whats your opinion?

Answer:
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:59 am Post subject:
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3) I love new england and i love driving in new england area; The other drivers are wusses and are just not used to living in a congested area like us.
I've only driven in New England, l and hauled a 20' trailer around alot of miles, and used to go to Laval in Montreal once a month for 5 years and pick up satellite dishes on a special rig mounted on that 20' trailer, and deliver them all over New England. From what you say we NE drivers must be better drivers, since it sounds like the rest of the countrys drivers are used to large intersections,big yards, and few bridges.

Answer:
Question #1: No idea.
Question #2: I can't think of any, as long as you don't make it a habit.
Question #3: New England has too much traffic, too many old roads not designed for big trucks, too many old warehouses not designed for big trucks, too much bad weather in winter, too many toll booths, and too few truck stops. State regulations indicate that New Jersey and NYC hate big trucks; others are not much better with overall length regulations. Should I continue?
Question #4: PAM is the lower end, but probably not the bottom end. However, as a newbie, you usually cannot be picky.
Question #5 : Never heard of it.
Advice: Get your CDL as cheap as you can without signing a long term contract, and expect to be abused until you get 1 year experience. Then, if you still have a good driving and employment record, you can pick and choose.