Nightflight
Expert Expediter
Howdy do to all,
I'll try and keep this as brief as possible, but detailed. I'm
retired from aviation at 47. Not necessarily by choice, but I think
it's the only facet of transportation that is in complete freefall.
Trucking still has some opportunities, I believe. Keeping the eyes
on the road, as well as expenses seems key, as well as not making
dumb mistakes. I've pored over as much information as I can get my
hands on, and I still feel like I haven't scratched the surface.
That being said, I'm ready to begin my second career in trucking.
I have lots of experience driving straight trucks, in fact I own
one. 47' Freightliner Columbia Motorgarage. I do not have tractor
trailer experience, however, I am narrowing my choices down to several schools now. I have only spoken with one recruiter. This
would be with Conway Now. After watching the video, it seems either
the CEO is really a stand up guy, or a pathological liar. I'd like
to think they have a really competitive program, and really believe
their success rides with the O/O.
I am in a position to purchase a new tractor, or straight truck,
but would like to let someone else eat the first year or two of
depreciation. I would probably prefer straight truck, but after
20+ years of sitting next to sneezing, griping, thrice divorced-going
on four Copilots, I really prefer driving solo. So, it seems the
tractor makes the most sense. I'm not in a position to spend a
year or so at Schneider of CR England etal, for the sake of climbing
a ladder I don't want to be on. Ultimately, being in the position
of driving for a true non forced dispatch operator is my goal.
If getting the best experience possible means sitting next to someone
who smokes rotten cigars, so be it.
My questions are many, but I'll try to fire off the most important.
Is there enough work to justify the purchase of a tractor ?
Would it be wiser given my experience, preference for solo driving, and being a new entrant, to go with a straight truck ? Do most of the companies allow a learning curve for the newbie ? Since Florida
doesn't produce too much Northbound freight, other than flowers,
produce, and stowaways, am I going to be writing off a lot of fuel
to deadheading ? Speaking of fuel, are any of the Expedited
Carriers claiming to pass along all fuel surcharges to the O/O.
Assuming I go the tractor route, is their a means to request, or
employ a trainer until such time I feel 110% comfortable with
everything from handling the equipment, to paperwork ? I've been
quoted a total of about $550.00 per month for Phys Liablity,
Breakdown, Bobtail, Gap, (not necessary) and Limited depreciation.
Is this a reasonable figure since it was OOIDA ? (15% reduction
expected in one year assuming no awshucks)
This pretty much clears the tip of the iceberg, and as I said the
learning experience is akin to drinking from a firehose, but I'm
excited, and enthusiastic, in addition to being extremely safety
concious and a mission hacker. If anyone is willing to tutor me
along the way, I'll trade you for all of the flying groundschool
you can stomach... No kiddin. It's just like beginning my flying
career all over!! Thanks to all who have taught me so much already.
I'll try and keep this as brief as possible, but detailed. I'm
retired from aviation at 47. Not necessarily by choice, but I think
it's the only facet of transportation that is in complete freefall.
Trucking still has some opportunities, I believe. Keeping the eyes
on the road, as well as expenses seems key, as well as not making
dumb mistakes. I've pored over as much information as I can get my
hands on, and I still feel like I haven't scratched the surface.
That being said, I'm ready to begin my second career in trucking.
I have lots of experience driving straight trucks, in fact I own
one. 47' Freightliner Columbia Motorgarage. I do not have tractor
trailer experience, however, I am narrowing my choices down to several schools now. I have only spoken with one recruiter. This
would be with Conway Now. After watching the video, it seems either
the CEO is really a stand up guy, or a pathological liar. I'd like
to think they have a really competitive program, and really believe
their success rides with the O/O.
I am in a position to purchase a new tractor, or straight truck,
but would like to let someone else eat the first year or two of
depreciation. I would probably prefer straight truck, but after
20+ years of sitting next to sneezing, griping, thrice divorced-going
on four Copilots, I really prefer driving solo. So, it seems the
tractor makes the most sense. I'm not in a position to spend a
year or so at Schneider of CR England etal, for the sake of climbing
a ladder I don't want to be on. Ultimately, being in the position
of driving for a true non forced dispatch operator is my goal.
If getting the best experience possible means sitting next to someone
who smokes rotten cigars, so be it.
My questions are many, but I'll try to fire off the most important.
Is there enough work to justify the purchase of a tractor ?
Would it be wiser given my experience, preference for solo driving, and being a new entrant, to go with a straight truck ? Do most of the companies allow a learning curve for the newbie ? Since Florida
doesn't produce too much Northbound freight, other than flowers,
produce, and stowaways, am I going to be writing off a lot of fuel
to deadheading ? Speaking of fuel, are any of the Expedited
Carriers claiming to pass along all fuel surcharges to the O/O.
Assuming I go the tractor route, is their a means to request, or
employ a trainer until such time I feel 110% comfortable with
everything from handling the equipment, to paperwork ? I've been
quoted a total of about $550.00 per month for Phys Liablity,
Breakdown, Bobtail, Gap, (not necessary) and Limited depreciation.
Is this a reasonable figure since it was OOIDA ? (15% reduction
expected in one year assuming no awshucks)
This pretty much clears the tip of the iceberg, and as I said the
learning experience is akin to drinking from a firehose, but I'm
excited, and enthusiastic, in addition to being extremely safety
concious and a mission hacker. If anyone is willing to tutor me
along the way, I'll trade you for all of the flying groundschool
you can stomach... No kiddin. It's just like beginning my flying
career all over!! Thanks to all who have taught me so much already.