Hi Zap,

Here’s some CDL gouge:

Four weeks and $3k (took me six weeks with a two week Covid break, all is fine now). I went to Trans-Tech in NC. The training was similar to aviation training.

Starts with a week of ground school and the written tests at the DMV. Then one week on the yard backing up; straight, off-set and ninety degrees. After that one week on the road getting increasingly difficult, and the last week is basically practicing the road test and finally the test.

The test is pre-trip inspection (similar to an originating check), backing, and driving the road course, about 1.5 hours altogether.

Two or three recruiters come in each week and you can have a cjo with a class date immediately when you do the online app, which can actually be texted to you. At a new company you’ll go through 2-6 weeks of indoc, load securement if it’s flatbeds, and OE.

Unlike the airlines, the large national companies are the starter jobs and with some experience you can go to smaller niche companies that pay some more.

Starting pay is generally $55-65k with all the typical benefits and experienced drivers earn $75-90k. I know of one flatbed driver who’s on track for $95k his first year, but he’s single and lives in his truck picking up as much work as he can. You can work 7 days a week perpetually as long as your look back is good (70 hours duty in 7 days). Driving options are OTR which are 21on and 7off (yuck), regional or daily. Daily pays the least because they know most
drivers will take a pay cut to be home every night. Regional pays well and has various options of home time. The bummer is the really good companies give you weekends off which is 20 days away per month.

The selling point to drivers is well-equipped trucks with bunks, fridges, microwaves, satellite TV, etc. You could call it STS, shiny truck syndrome. But the trucks are sweet and most companies allow you to bring riders and/or pets. There’s lots of freedom and flex on the road as long as you make your delivery appointments.

All in all I don’t think we’ll furlough, but if we do our expenses are low and the money is doable in our area, and driving for awhile would be a nice change.