Most Important Questions From New Drivers Threads

[bossman211]

No and YES

[LadyDallasDriver]

Originally Posted by billh

I graduate Friday from Keystone Diesel Institute and so far everyone has turned me down. I don't know if its because of my past with speeding which I got suspended in 2001 for 2 wks or my last speeding ticket in 2007. What's the problem here? Is it the insurance companies that don't want me to drive for a company or is it something else? I had USA Truck tell me no today and I asked why and the lady told me she didn't have to give me an explanation.

And advice? Thanks

Both can be a problem...on top of being new. Do you have a list of companies you have tried? That will give us a idea who to recommend. Also it may not just be you...companies are just being VERY pickey right now cause they can...the tables have turned...

[StrawberryWine_SC]

Originally Posted by camo

My advice to all new comers and those just thinking about driving over the road. DON'T DO IT !!!! Get a real job. Learn something that will allow you to make good money and have a life. Don't waste your life sitting in a box going bankrupt and dieing an early death. You can make more money working at McD's fifty hours a week, instead of being stuck in a truck weeks at a time.Especialy as slow as freight is right now,Lots of sitting around truckstops waiting for freight and not getting paid. Stay home,enjoy your life.Don't waste it in a truck. Trucking SUCKS !!!

How do you know this? Have you ever driven a truck? Don't put someone down because of their career choice. You do what makes you happy and leave the driving to the PROFESSIONALS. Think of it this way, without us, stores and other businesses wouldn't get what they need and neither would you. That's why we DRIVERS are here. Have a nice day.

[RickG]

Originally Posted by StrawberryWine_SC

How do you know this? Have you ever driven a truck? Don't put someone down because of their career choice. You do what makes you happy and leave the driving to the PROFESSIONALS. Think of it this way, without us, stores and other businesses wouldn't get what they need and neither would you. That's why we DRIVERS are here. Have a nice day.

He knows it's a bad choice because of all the experienced drivers and newbies here saying they can't find jobs . You don't have to drive a truck to look at labor department statistics and know there are over 1 million unemployed people in the transportation industry , a 50% increase in a year . There are a lot more stores going out of business so doesn't that mean less trucks needed for deliveries ? Haven't you read the articles about applications piling up at trucking companies because there are far more applicants than openings ? It's tough enough for an experienced trucker to try to stay employed . You have it right saying leave the job to professionals . There is still a need for professionals . The only need for newbies is to fill the seat of a truck that got abandoned by another rookie that got a reality check . Entering the industry with no experience is a foolish , irresponsible decision .

[prancerdog]

what i have herd is long term experienced drivers are not always wanted, they have bad habits and wont change them and are hard to deal with, sorry, but if you are not flexable and dont want to change your ways your S.O.L. It,s not what you have done in the past it,s what have you done lately. How about some cheese with that wine

[Electra-glide]

I have a question? I currently have a class A in Fl. but I have not driven in nine yrs. most of my driving was as a o/o rock bucket driver and pulling sticks in fl. I did do two months otr with E-lite Express out of Ohio pulling a reefer. I am currently a Deputy Sheriff with no skeletons in the closet. What company's would take me and put me with a trainer to get going again or do I have to go through a school. Thanks

[RickG]

Originally Posted by prancerdog

what i have herd is long term experienced drivers are not always wanted, they have bad habits and wont change them and are hard to deal with, sorry, but if you are not flexable and dont want to change your ways your S.O.L. It,s not what you have done in the past it,s what have you done lately. How about some cheese with that wine

And what recruiter for what school told you that ?

[RickG]

Originally Posted by Electra-glide

I have a question? I currently have a class A in Fl. but I have not driven in nine yrs. most of my driving was as a o/o rock bucket driver and pulling sticks in fl. I did do two months otr with E-lite Express out of Ohio pulling a reefer. I am currently a Deputy Sheriff with no skeletons in the closet. What company's would take me and put me with a trainer to get going again or do I have to go through a school. Thanks

I think your best bet would be to hope the stimulus plan opens up local construction and you can get back in a dump bucket . Forget OTR . The companies hiring like to push newbies and I think they'd be reluctant to hire an LEO that would see right away what kind of operation they have .

[Electra-glide]

Yeah, I've talked with a few and they really were kinda of stand offish, thinking about a refresher course and then go from there. Cops stuff's pretty stable just tired of dealing with other people's garbage just want to work with out so much hassle.

[Electra-glide]

We have a few flatbed companys here that run local and S.E. home pretty regular and they pay decent. Sunbelt, Cypress and CCC are close to me, stocks are starting to move a little so the freight should pickup soon. None of the stores are holding inventory right now but when they start ordering you guys are gonna be swamped.
The OTR driving is kinda of a last resort, I still have some little ones I like to see regular.

BTW all my family is from London KY. got a whole slew of kin in them hills. Take care.