Rookie starting my trucking career. From first thought to hopefully retirement.

**bostonsteve** · 02.09.2012

I posted earlier on some questions I had about the industry. I want to thank everyone who responded, great advice and also very helpful.

To give you some background on myself. I am early 40's and recently left a position that I was in almost 15 years. I started out in my field as a tech and worked my way into upper management. Then the smaller company I worked for was sold to a international company.

I stuck it out for 2 years after that while I was saving and contemplating my future. In the end the politics of being a manager and dealing with less than ethical people really frustrated me. Going back into the field was not an option for me due to the extreme physical demand. To let you know it was HVAC and hauling a 100 lbs compressor or crawling in an overhead ceiling that may or may not collapse just did not interest me anymore.

I had saved my but off and finally gave my notice. I have been without work for a couple of months now due to my own decision. I used this time to research and figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

Trucking has always interested me and I decided that this is something that I wanted to dive into. I have been reading non stop for the last couple of weeks and feel it is time to push forward.

I welcome any comments or suggestions on my post. Some information about me. Give you an idea on what my challenges may or may not be. I am also aware I may have to move to accommodate my development.

I am 41.
Located in the Northeast, Massachusetts by the Maine and NH border.
Good physical health, minus the aches and pains of age.
I am somewhat of a loner. I actually prefer to be by myself most of the time.
I have a dog and a cat. I would definitely want to bring my dog with me while on the road. He is a bullmastiff, small one, about 68 lbs.

I have researched private and company based CDL training. I am not opposed to doing the company route as the private is around 5K. I have thick skin so sticking with a company for the time required is not an issue. If it got to be horrible I have savings where I could leave. At this point I am leaning to the company side, mainly prime and Roehl. They seem to get mostly positive reviews.

I am still reading as much as I can get my hands on before I call the companies. My only concern I have is my dog and the possibility of moving. I would love to be able to stay in Mass as that is where my family is and I have a support network for pets.

I will keep the updates coming as I progress. Again, any comments or suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,

Steve

**Lantern** · 02.09.2012

Steve,

It's good that your researching. Roehl is a good company to work for and I truly enjoy working for them. However (You knew this was coming!), this job is demanding at times. May not be physically 100% of the time unless your a flatbedder or car hauler but it can be tough. We deal with public, night, day, rain, snow, etc, you name it.. Your going to get caught in those conditions and let me tell you the worse drivers on the roads will make this profession very hard on you.

Example. I was in Buffalo when that lake effect hit. Snowing like a crazy, Just got unloaded so I had no weight in my trailer and I pull up to the light to make a left hand turn. Light turns green, I'm creeping to the median and as I am turning I am sliding about to jack knife my rig. And while that was happening cars were still going around me even though I had the right of way. It's a dangerous profession. I just need you to understand that before jumping head into this (Which I'm sure you already do my friend).

As for schooling, I never recommend company schooling unless it is 100% no choice. I love Roehl, but I would never lock my self into them. Schooling is best when you come out of it with all the options in your favor. See when you go to a company paid schooling they own you. But when you pay for schooling they are pretty much letting you interview them not the other way around. Be very very very picky when choosing schools though, don't let your money go to waste. See in my area I had roadmaster, national training, FCCJ. FCCJ was cheapest, but by far the best training. See it's not always about how much it is.. It's the quality of training you receive. Trust me when I say this, you want the best training there is entering this profession. My instructor told us the truth about trucking and I haven't ran into one experience where he was lying. He told us about the bad and the good so I knew what to expect. That is what you need.

Don't take what I say about Roehl as I am bashing them because I am not, I enjoy working for them. Roehl has a problem I've found. The maintenance department we have simply is lacking in concern for the equipment. Now I'm not meaning they have dangerous equipment because that is not true, it's the quality of work done to fix the problems is what I mean. That is my biggest negative I have for this company. Miles, FM, etc I have nothing but good things to say. (For the most part). Orientation was fun, 14 days out with a trainer sucked (he was a ####) I passed though, truck assignment (I got a old truck oh well she runs great), everything they've done for me has been amazing. Maintenance is my only problem with this company. Now other drivers will have alot more problems with this company.. I have to say though, they've been a great fit for me and I hope for you as well my friend.

Best of luck and keep on truckin.

**bostonsteve** · 02.10.2012

Lantern.

Thank you for the feedback, good and bad. I find that someone who mixes positives with negatives is usually on the up and up.

Problem for me, in my area is that some companies accept the school in my area and others do not. I understand the benefits to getting a free education while getting paid low. I also know that footing the bill yourself gives you some freedom. I do not mind being the grunt for a year if that is what it takes. Experience is something you just cannot put a price on. It seems prime is very pro active in giving you that experience. I just hope I am not stuck with a person I cannot stand, I have been through worse though.

It is a very tough decision on which direction to go first. Like I said in my first post, I am very patient and can deal with bull for a good amount of time. My main goal is long term, meaning what is best for me in the long run.

I dealt with absolute crap when I was with my last company. They drove us like crazy in a very physical enviroment. I was management but was supposed to do the job and take care of the management portion. Lets just say I was up at 3AM Sunday and worked all day in the field and at 10 pm I passed out. This went on for the whole week, including the weekend. I was never done and it was never good enough, that is why I left.

I am confident in my abilities as a worker. I know that even if I do a company based school I can stick it out for a year if need be. Hopefully I will not have to go down that path and I can look at the positives the company has to offer.

Again, thank you for the input. I really do appreciate the time you took to write this.

**ac120** · 02.10.2012

Hey, Steve --

It's a pleasure to read the words of an adult. That tells me you'll do fine no matter what route you take. Keep reading, keep learning. Good miles and Safe Trip to ya. I hope you enjoy the road as much as I did.

**Gears** · 02.10.2012

Read, learn and practice as much as possible. Take it seriously. You never quit learning in this industry, it's just that in the beginning, it can all seem overwhelming.

Welcome and good luck!

**bostonsteve** · 02.11.2012

Although this update my be boring, I feel it is part of the journey.

When I left my previous employer I had a house in a different state. Since the economy is horrible I was looking to unload or simply walk away from it. I bought during the boom and 6 years later my house is worth less than I paid for it.

I was extremely lucky and walked right into a renter before I had to make a decision. They have been late on all payments, but they arrive eventually. They were recommended by a neighbor and I was told, they pay their bills, do not worry. So 5 months into it all checks have cleared, but I still have to hound them. I guess it could be worse.

I moved back up to where I grew up and back in with mom. Not the best of circumstances but I will not complain, there is always someone worse off than you.

As listed before, I have animals, a bull mastiff and cat. The bull is small, 70lbs at most and the cat actually loves being in a moving vehicle.

I sat down with my mother tonight to discuss my move. I basically told her that I would be able to take an animal with me after a probation period but it would not be my dog due to his weight. I suggested switching off between my cat and her dog, 20 lbs of pure mutt. She was actually very supportive of the idea and my mothers dog loves being in a car. So much so that she begs to just lay in her car.

Told you it was boring. That was my biggest worry so far. On Monday I plan on calling recruiters to start the process.

**Gears** · 02.12.2012

Not boring really. Behind the scenes stuff that members don't usually post about. I find it interesting. Thanks for the update.

**Lantern** · 02.12.2012

Steve, with the positive attitude you are bringing to the table things will work out just fine for you. Company training isn't necessarily a bad thing and after rereading my post I might of bad talked it alittle which wasn't intended. A year isn't that long of a contract period to get started so essentially the companies you've been looking at (Prime, Roehl, not werner) will be good to you.

Like gears said to, I find reading the behind the scenes very interesting.

**Gambinos Wrath** · 02.12.2012

Im assuming you are going to go company? Have you researched the ones that will let you take a dog?

**bostonsteve** · 02.12.2012

Originally Posted by Gambinos Wrath

Im assuming you are going to go company? Have you researched the ones that will let you take a dog?

I have. My boy is 70 lbs give or take a pound or two. I have a back up plan for him as my mother absolutely loves him. He is a Bull Mastiff and I do not mind leaving him with her, he is very protective. Not a bad thing considering my mother is close to 70.

My conversation with her about going out on the road was pretty simply. She has a dog, 20lbs at the most, which Prime is ok with. She loves riding in anything and she would keep me company. Cats are ok as well, I have a Bengal, which is just like a dog.

One reason I am leaning to Prime based off their website is the training and pay back period. I learn by hands on and there is no better way of doing it than operating.

Schools in my area are 5-6K and 4-6 weeks. If I go the private school route I will no to shell out that money and have no income what so ever. If I go the company paid route I will get a small paycheck and will have to give them a year. Worse case, if I absolutely hate them I can get up and walk away, minus school costs.

I came from a large company and I and employee's were treated like the sludge off a septic tank bottom. I am very thick skinned, I put up with them for well over 2 years.

I am sure I will not call tomorrow and be heading out the door the next day. I have time to keep researching.