Job opportunities and suggestions

[major_merrick]

@gaius had a good recommendation for somebody in another thread, so I thought I'd post my thoughts here for anybody who needs it.  And if people have other ideas for new jobs or ways to change your employment in our uncertain times, please post information and resources in this thread. 

TRUCK DRIVING

I have a Class A CDL.  Technically, that allows me to drive a semi truck with a 53 foot trailer if I have to.  While I mostly have my license so I have the ability to haul my own stuff, it does provide me with a backup means of employment if things really went sour.  There's a bunch of ways to get a CDL, but most of them cost money up front unless you know somebody who will train you.  However, there's a way that costs almost nothing! 

https://www.truckingtruth.com/paid-cdl-training/

^^^ This site has some valuable links, ways to find employment in your area, and also a forum where you can talk with people about every step of the journey.  You could get a job with a company that would train you for free, and even pay to transport you to their orientation location and school (if there isn't a company close to you.)  There's definitely some catches, though.  Here's some of the ones I know about:

1.  It all depends on medical status.  You have to go to a doctor and get a medical card.  The healthier you are, the longer you can go between appointments.  The best medical card is good for 2 years.  Some people with uncontrolled issues end up with only a 6-month or 3-month card.  And there are some things that disqualify you from being able to drive a commercial vehicle, so be sure to read the fine print.  One good thing - if you're getting free training, you'll probably get a free doctor's visit.  If it ends up being an issue, you'll have spent time but not money.

2.  Free training isn't exactly free.  Companies that offer it will make you sign a contract that you have to pay them back if you quit the job before a time period is up.  Varies between 9 months and 18 months.  Entry level pay for your first year will be low.  Probably around $30k-$40k. 

3.  Health insurance isn't always offered.  When it is, sometimes they make you wait for 90 days before you're eligible.  This is more and more common, unfortunately. 

4.  Written tests.  The first phase of training is like going back to school.  Some people hate it, some do well.  I did it on my own, but I understand that some companies' make everybody do the studying part lock-step in a classroom, and instruction isn't the best.  When I did it, I had some language and vocabulary issues, so I did some studying online. 

5.  Transmissions.  Lots of commercial vehicles have manual transmissions.  With a foot issue, you probably won't want to be pushing a clutch pedal.  You'll have an easier time working for a bigger trucking company, as most of them seem to be transitioning to trucks with automatic transmissions. 

https://driving-tests.org/cdl-premium/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3OXNo6Hl7AIVx0XVCh0XuwzREAAYASAAEgLjFPD_BwE

This site is helpful, and state specific.  ^^^^  It does cost a little bit of money, but they literally guarantee that you pass your written exams.  It isn't the only service like that, either.  There are some that are totally free, as well. 

Anyways, IDK if this is helpful or not.  Trucking is often a way that people are able to make a new career, or lift themselves out of poverty.  For some people who might need a job where you can sit down, it could be an option.  Climbing in and out of the truck (they usually have two steps) might present some issues, but my husband has done it with a broken ankle and a broom handle.  Where there's a will, there's a way. 

And just because you start out over-the-road doesn't mean you'd have to keep doing that.  With a year or so of experience with a major company, you'll be able to get local or regional jobs.  But some people REALLY like being able to drive around and see the country.  If you're in need of a change, check it out.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

[gaius]

Good thread Merrick. A lot of useful information.

Just to add, the old stereotype of truck driver isn't that accurate anymore. If someone like @Ellener is worried she wouldn't fit in fear not. There's an incredible diversity of age, race, nationality and educational level. I've lost count of the amount of older people I've met with one disability or another who are making a good living for themselves.

Everyone's life is their own to do with what they choose but if you ask me getting paid to see a Montana sunset sure beats suicide.

 

[Ellener]

6 hours ago, gaius said:

Good thread Merrick. A lot of useful information.

Just to add, the old stereotype of truck driver isn't that accurate anymore. If someone like @Ellener is worried she wouldn't fit in fear not. There's an incredible diversity of age, race, nationality and educational level. I've lost count of the amount of older people I've met with one disability or another who are making a good living for themselves.

Everyone's life is their own to do with what they choose but if you ask me getting paid to see a Montana sunset sure beats suicide.

 

I'm not going to commit suicide! I presume that was just a bad taste joke telling me to kill myself or commit crimes or become a prostitute...I did not even flag it with the moderators.

Some of the 'advice' online is not worth listening to.

My friends and son and sister would be really p*ssed at me if I gave up, they all love me. And I'm actually a productive member of society, it's just really scary when you first find out you need to stay off your feet. Almost every job advertised says 'must be able to stand for long hours'. 

Then my friend hired someone else. I supported her through her mother's final illness and kept that business going for her. But she cried to me a few weeks ago, no one cares about her- well it's because she always does this. She has money but no friends or family. I know which I'd choose. 

I did find someone hiring for large truck driving here where I live but I think it's a scam, they want lot of money up front. 

If 'Obamacare' is repealed I'll have to emigrate back to the UK, but it looks like I have health insurance for 2021. Funny, the website finally works, it's the first year I didn't have to call up because something needed fixing. It's interesting, the company is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, they refused to renew my insurance in 2010 when my Cobra coverage ran out because I had a pre-existing condition ( diabetes ) 

I have a1c of 5.7 now, so not technically diabetic, but the damage to my feet is permanent. 

 

 

 

 

[gaius]

@Ellener, you've made more than one comment insinuating you might be facing homelessness or suicide. Whatever you meant by that all I'm telling you is there's at least one potential path to avoid both of those outcomes. If you want to put the effort into pursuing it.

The place I went to to get trained had an option for low income people to have their tuition paid for. I paid mine up front since I was working at the time but about half my class was covered by that. There might be an option like that for you somewhere locally but you'd have to do some research.

Diabetes is not a disqualifying medical condition and OTR drivers usually are off their feet most of the time. Merrick is correct that the first year usually isn't a cash bonanza but with no rent you can still bank a lot of money. By year 3 jobs that pay 100k+ or more start opening up if you keep your driving record clean. A lot of guys do it for 5-10 years and use the money they save to transition into something better. You could use it to pad a retirement fund so you never have to face that kind of stress again. And as a free place to live in the meantime.

[Ellener]

I'll look into it @gaius

Yes I have a good credit rating, clean driving record. 

The suicide suggestion came from someone else, just to be clear I'm not going to commit suicide! 

[Ruby Slippers]

If I were in your position, I'd probably look into work-from-home jobs like phone customer service, medical billing, and that kind of thing. With these jobs, you can sit in the comfort of home. I've heard from a lot of stay-at-home moms over the years that medical billing/coding jobs aren't that hard to train for and can pay pretty well. 

[major_merrick]

@RubySlippers  Medical billing and coding definitely is a good work-from-home option!  I knew a girl who went to school for it.  I think the program was about three months or so.  Often you can get unemployment benefits or payment deferments if you are going to school in an approved program.  With the chaos in the medical field, there's been quite a bit of turnover in that kind of job. 

Unfortunately, phone customer service where I live is pretty low-paying.  It is also kind of a dead end, as there's no real way up into something more profitable.  I think there's a lot of available positions right now because of the virus, but IDK how stable that kind of job will be in the future.   

One thing I've noticed about how my husband picks jobs, is he's always looking at what his next job will be.  His early jobs were pretty terrible, but he combined the skills from all of them plus his education to make him the unique fit for the high-paying job he has now.  Something like joining the military, trucking, or getting a job in medical billing can set a person up for something more profitable in 5-10 years time. 

I have noticed some jobs in my area for shipping clerks at industrial warehouses.  Those folks spend most of the day typing up bills of lading for the loads that truck drivers are going to haul.  If you've got good computer skills (you'll have to learn to use inventory software), check in your area for available positions.  A clerk position can often be a doorway into becoming a shipping manager later on.