Is it worth it to get a class A CDL?

Question

I have an associate degree in electronic systems,
because its hard to find a job in that field, because no company will hire me
without having a year or 2 of experience. My friend told me about getting my class A cdl
license. the class starts march 1st, I just want to know if its worth it, salary wise?
because I refuse to take a step back

Answer 1

Good question..Going from a unemployed guy with a college degree to working for a trucking company that requires class A drivers to have a diploma/GED. Trucking companies can legally require you to drive 70 hours before a 34 hour reset. A enduring job and my personal experience with trucking companies is they can afford a huge driver turn over and allow things to become very corrupt. This result cause me to change driving jobs every couple of years if not sooner.

Presently if you pass all of the tests they can dictate how many hours you spend out on the road driving and at a low mph due to the cost of diesel fuel for at least a year, afterward you have enough exp to interest other trucking companies like intermodal and perhaps home every night or driving 5 days a week. Maybe you become so serious and want to make big money and find the right path.

A couple of rules apply, no Diabetics injecting insulin. If you have all of your limbs fingers and toes and dont mind enduring its better than being unemployed.

Answer 2

No luxury in a CDL. It's hard work and the rules are ever changing. You will be facing the same problem with the two years experience at most if not all companies require. Yes there are a few that really like rookies but the trucks are not great and the pay is below standards. However, you have to start somewhere. I got mine in 1999 and it is an uphill battle for 95%, If you hang in there it becomes so much better but you have to love travelling, eating really greasy foods or learning how to cook your own in your truck, being away from home for weeks at a time, showering in truck stops where yes they are cleaned but, 20 drivers per day have used it before you. Bad road conditions, heavy traffic, wrong directions, companies that make you sit and wait, and being away from family or friends make it a lonely job for some. Others love it. You will see all of North America and meet new people every day. Most of us out here love it and have diesel in our veins. It's not really a job but a lifestyle. Get your passport updated, be sure you don't have a police record for anything, and try to have about $1000 ready for use for your first month on the road.

Answer 3

I'm a (former) IT Tech that went back to driving. The IT/Telecom/Electronics field as your well aware has been nose diving for years, everythings being outsourced and things now get replaced, not repaired. CDL Driving can pay VERY well. Many will tell you you must go over the road to make money and that's complete BS. I got got my CDL-A and the 2 companies that I have interviews with are local M-F jobs with a starting range of 19-21/hr or 40-45k a year, I'm in Central VA and that's pretty respectable here giving the average salaries and cost of living. I have friends driving Class B trucks (with a couple more years in than me) making almost $30/hr to do almost nothing! As far as taking a step back....you WILL be new at it, you can't expect to go to ANY job new and expect what you had with years of exp at another job. That's just not reality. You need to think long term. Use an online salary tool to see what the average CDL driver makes in your state. Here in Central VA where the majority of people are in the 30-35k/yr range, CDL drivers average 50k!

Answer 4

starting pay 30 cents a mile. wheels not moving no pay. seven to eight days on the road one day off. eleven hours a day driving federal regulations. and will have the same problem need experience. and right now most trucking companies have more drivers than loads to haul