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Post by nc_newbie326 on Aug 28, 2003 13:56:03 GMT -5
I just enrolled in Alliance truck driving school and my classes are going to begin on September 8. I am determined to make my living as a professional truck driver. I want the income and job security that comes with getting this training. I have had no luck in the textile industry. Every company I know is laying people off left and right. My question is, have any of you gone to Alliance truck driving school? I want to know what to expect after I graduate from this school. The recruiter didn't guarantee me a job, but he said that I am very likely to have a job soon after graduating from Alliance, because many companies want to hire Alliance graduates. He said that I should expect to make between $600 and $900 a week during the first year doing short line driving. I would just like to know how realistic this is. Will it be worth the money that I'm putting into this school? I just don't want to go into this with my eyes wide shut. I just want to know all I can before I plunge right into this. I really want to do it, and I am aware of the ups and downs of truck driving. I feel that this is a good decision for my family... I just want to hear about other people's experiences with Alliance. They will teach me how to drive all types of trucks, in all different types of situations. At the end of the four weeks, I will have my CDL class A license, my hazmat license, and D.O.T certification. The recruiter said that many companies want you to have 2 years driving experience before they will hire you, but if you have graduated from Alliance, some companies will hire you straight out of school. Is this realistic? Any replies will be greatly appreciated.
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Post by Mike on Aug 28, 2003 16:45:39 GMT -5
There are companys that hire right out of school. But you will not start out making that much money at first, because the companies are going to put you with a trainer for anywheres from 4 to 12 weeks at a flat rate of pay. Then you will make .24 cents to .26 cents a mile. Now the companies will tell you that you will get 2500 to 3000 miles a week, but I found that most of them get between 2300 to 2800. So once you start making milage it will vary on how many miles a week you drive. 2300 miles @ .24 is $552, now out of that you have to take care of yourself on the road as well as your family at home. So it can be hard at first but it does get better the longer you drive. Hope this helps.
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Post by SilverBullet on Aug 28, 2003 17:38:50 GMT -5
nc_newbie,
I always say, "If you are getting into the trucking profession for the money, you are making a mistake." Sure, there is money to be made, but as Mike said, you have to support yourself on the road, and support a family at home. When I was driving OTR, I was able to save some money. Only reason being is I had no bills other than a cell-phone. When I came in for hometime, I stayed with family. I had no rent/mortgage, car payment, utilites, etc. It will be hard on you just starting out. Stay with the company you sign on with for AT LEAST[/i][/u] a year. Then you will have a lot more opportunities available to you.
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Post by nc_newbie326 on Aug 28, 2003 19:00:18 GMT -5
I'm not doing it just for the money. I'm doing it because of job security, benefits, and because I have to do something to support my family, and there is a great need for truck drivers. I bet there aren't very many people who become truck drivers because they have always had a dream of living in a truck.... I know that is a "down side" to trucking. But, the job security is a great "up side" in a time when jobs are so scarce. I have been laid off 3 times from the textile industry in the past 5 months. There is no future there for me. I see a future in trucking. The only reason I ask about money, is because I have to pay off the schooling and the first payment will be due in October. I already gave them $250. I just want to know if I am going to be regretting this come November, ya know??? I have no income coming in at the moment, because jobs are scarce... been job hunting every day for 8 weeks, with NO luck. My wife's child support is all we are living on, and its no where near enough to pay even half the bills.... I ask about money because it is important... and I want to know what to expect before I go into 4,000 worth of debt doing this. I know the recruiters aren't always 100% truthful, and I thought someone who has experienced this already might be able to share some info with me.
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Post by glennw on Aug 28, 2003 23:58:29 GMT -5
If you've been laid off, can't you collect unemployment?
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Post by SilverBullet on Aug 29, 2003 5:10:13 GMT -5
nc,
the money will be there in time, just don't expect it til you have "paid your dues." I am sorry to hear of the struggle you and your family are going through. I surely hope that this new career will turn things around for you. I wish you the best of luck with it. ALOT of companies will hire you right out of school. You will have to go with a trainer for anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks before you are let loose on your own. Then you will make a little more money. Alot of co. give you a flat weekly rate while you're out with a trainer, then when you get your own truck, you will make the mileage rate. The one thing I would suggest is not turning down any loads. (New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc.) I was scared sh!tless the first time I had to Deliver to New York City, but once I was in and out of there and able to relax again, I realized it's not as bad as the horror stories you hear. There is job security in this industry for a "good driver." But unlike most other professions, one little mistake can cost you your career. Have you checked with Schneider National? I have no experience with them, but I have been told they have a top-notch training program, and are not that bad of a company to work for. And if you are interested in team driving, CRST is not a bad company. Also, stay away from that realdriver site. In my opinion it is a one sided site that gives disgruntled employees and ex-employees a place to vent. It will only bring you to doubt any companies you are considering. I hope tis helps you in some way.
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Post by Mike on Aug 29, 2003 8:01:42 GMT -5
Also there are a lot of companies that will repay you for your school if you stay with them. So when signing on with a company that would be one question to ask them.
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Post by nc_newbie326 on Aug 29, 2003 9:29:28 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for the replies. I needed to hear the truth from people who have done what I am about to do. Its given me more to think about and a more realistic idea of what to expect. Also, to answer GlennW who asked about me drawing unemployment since I am laid off. I applied for it as soon as I got laid off, and when they contacted my last employer, a temp agency, they were told that I was fired from my last job. And that is NOT true. When my job ended, the temp agency just called me and told me that the assignment ended because of lay off, and not to go back to work the next day. But, when the employment office called them, they said I was fired. I did nothing to be fired, and was never told that I was fired. So, thats why I'm not getting my unemployment. If I could get it, things wouldn't be so bad. We are fighting it, by the way. But the lady at the employment office said that it takes 5 weeks to do all the paper work. If I can prove I wasn't fired, then I should get a pretty good check when its all over with. But, I know that this board is not a place meant for me to come and complain about unemployment. Thanks again for the replies.
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Post by kernel on Aug 29, 2003 16:34:03 GMT -5
I don't know the laws in your state, but if you were fired the agency should have a record that you were warned of whatever you supposedly did. This record should be signed by you as proof you actually received the warning. Should the offense be bad enough that the company could fire you on the spot, they should still have on file a written report, signed by your supervisor, in your employment file.
If it were me, I would have an uninterested third party ask for copies of these records in person so the company doesn't have time to fabricate them. You will probably have to go with them, as employment records of that type should be confidential and not given without authorization.
I would also contact the last place you temped and let them know this company is doing this to their employees.
Hope this helps.
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Post by SilverBullet on Aug 30, 2003 8:20:14 GMT -5
nc
there are also alot of companies who train you to drive. You have to sign a 1 year contract with them to repay the loan. After a year, you are free to go to another company. Otherwise you will get a bill in the mail for the cost of the schooling.
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Post by truckertom on Aug 31, 2003 18:38:38 GMT -5
Newbie;
One thing you have to watch out for are schools that promise you a job over the phone. You cannot promise a student that you have never personally met a job with a carrier that the schools recruiter doesn't even work for. So any school the makes that promise is one you should run from!
You need to schedule a hearing and fight this claim of being fired. If you were laid off, then you need to have a notice to fight it with, if it is fly-by-night company it will be your word against theirs. Find some of your fellow workers that were laid off with you and qualified for unemployment with you. You will have to build a case to win a claim but that check will go a long way toward supporting you through driving school. But if you were fired, and were not there to hear it, then you may be well out of luck. I have seen drivers that came back a week late after their days off and were fired....only to try to claim unemployment. Ha ha ha....it did not work.
Many companies offer tuition reimbursement over a years employment. But after a year of experience, go back and talk to them. You may find they will offer you better mileage pay, and newer truck and a different plan (regional, line drive, dedicated or trainer) that will make it worth your while to stay where you are.
Getting your Class A CDL is not the end of the education, it is just the beginning of it. This license says you are legal.....not talented. One year experience with no wreaks, no tickets and nothing on your company record speaks volumes. Then you can expect better money. But you will also have to ask for it.
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Post by SilverBullet on Aug 31, 2003 19:38:14 GMT -5
I don't know the specifics, but I read on another board today that Alliance in NC. closed it's doors. nc_newbie, do you know anything about this?
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Post by truckertom on Sept 1, 2003 9:05:03 GMT -5
I wonder if they had a website? Another one bites the dust!
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Post by Pelicn on Sept 3, 2003 20:08:49 GMT -5
NC,
I know I'm late in responding, but I noticed that your profile says "Statesville, NC" We are in Raleigh, NC Have you looked at Millis Transfer? We've been with them a year, and so far the company has treated us great! My hubby went through their training at Cartersville, GA.
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Post by nc_newbie326 on Sept 3, 2003 21:12:19 GMT -5
First off, I would like to thank everyone for responding to my posts. I think that all of you are great. I have had a change in my employment situation. I have cancelled my enrollment with Alliance, and I am taking a sales position with a Ford Co. car/truck dealership here in Statesville. I'm excited about this position, and pray I do well in sales. I really wanted this job alot more than driving a truck. I just want all of you to know that I have very much respect for what you do and realize the sacrifices you all must make doing your job. I have learned alot about the trucking industry and I wont look at a semi the same way anymore. I know I wont pull in front of one, knowing that they are judging there stoping distance from the vehicle that just went by me at the intersection. I didnt realize it. You people stay safe out there. Thanks again.
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