should I quit my job and get my cdl?

[johnr]

First of all, I live in Michigan where the unemployment rate is horrible. However, I have the funds to get my cdl training and I am considering in signing up for trucking school. Should I quit my current job so I can attend class? Will I be able to find a job after school driving trucks?

To give my situation even more of a twist I have a misdemeanor on my record from a little more than 3 years ago...

Any suggestions anyone?
thanks

[JLKKLJ777]

Thousands of trucking companies have gone belly up in the past year. There is an over capacity issue in trucking right now. This means there are MORE trucks available than freight. This is depressing freight rates and companies are firing drivers left and right for minor infractions, incidents, tickets etc. to cull the size of their fleets.

Owner ops are giving up their trucks and becoming company drivers which means YOU will be competing for a driving job with seasoned veterans that have tons of experience as compared to your "schooling."

This is not meant to discourage you just to simply inform you what you are up against.

Some of the companies that normally accept students fresh out of driving school actually have hiring freezes in place.

My advice would be to forget about trucking. Try to enroll in nursing school instead. You will have more opportunities and have a better life than truckers currently are enduring.

[1-800-big truck]

What I would suggesst is keep your current job and take driving school part time to obtain your CDL . Once the economy turns around, and it will , then you can probably find it easier to land a driving job if you're still interested by then .

[Questen]

No. No way. If you have a job you better keep it. Transportation and warehousing were among the hardest hit in the most recent round of job losses according to govt stats, and it's gonna get worse. Trucking companies have their pick of the best and most experienced drivers right now, your chances of getting good work are almost none.

[Cerberus_Kelpie]

Myself being a former full time employed driver and being laid off due to the economy (fuel prices, broker rates) in September, '08, you are best to NOT ADD TO THE AMOUNT of unemployed drivers.
There are few where if at all companies as stated already that are even bothering to hire Newbies regardless of recent schooling.
ANY Misdemeanor is a problem now as most companies in and out of trucking have raised their Qualifications/Requirements which effectively eliminate many experienced drivers as well as non driving positions/jobs.
>>I have a 17+ year old Misdemeanor of a DWI which recently has become a problem to many companies so go figure<<

If you quit your gig you'll just be another of THE MANY that cannot land a gig, so STAY WHERE YOU ARE!!

Some states have Colleges that offer CDL (truck driving) courses and these are the cheapest ways to go plus you'll most likely actually receive some truths regarding the trucking field unlike the crud of trucking school recruiters that will say what you want to hear just to get you in their school and to saddle you with a loan you do not need.

I concur with the other suggestions made already related to other fields of pursuit.

The saying "Have a CDL-A and you can always get a job" is gone.

[stinkyfinger]

:ofl2: