How important is it to have a full year at your first employer after obtaining your CDL? I'm sure everyone has a WTF moment thinking "What did I get myself into?" or "This is it? This is what I signed up for moments."
Besides really learning how to drive and handle dispatch assignments how should you be preparing yourself for bigger things. Dreaming of getting your own rig. I see some really nice stuff on the road. They must be making some really nice coin to support that kind of equipment. Or maybe be ready for a nice sweet gig at another company when it appears, but first figure out what a nice sweet gig is first.
Some days are good and some days are just WTF.
Any advice?
First Employer After Obtaining CDL
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by BluesDude98, Oct 31, 2014.
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There's not awhole lot of drivers that complete a full yr with their first company.Its not real important unless you wanna find better companies that require a yr otr exp.But it is important to stay for a few months to get some exp.You as a new driver won't find that perfect company.You'll have to settle for starter companies and they're all pretty much the same in one way or another.I would shop around before taking the first company that prehires you.Every company has their flaws but some are better to drive for and and chances you'll stay there are greater then if you choose a company with a bad reputation from almost every driver.You'll get many good days and many WTF days but that's no reason to up and quit.Its all part of trucking to have your days.
kiwi23, KW Cajun, Big Don and 1 other person Thank this. -
Don't let those fancy trucks outfitted with chicken lights and chrome fool you. A few of those drivers are successful, but not all. Are those you see working for their trucks or are their trucks working for them? Follow some of those drivers home to see where they live and the standard of living their familiy is going through. Are they working for the truck or working for the family? Is that fancy truck providing a good standard of living for the family or for the chrome shop owners family?
Be a company driver for 3 or 4 years before becoming an owner-operator. Join OOIDA to learn the business end of being an owner-operator. Yes, you can be successful and still drive a fancy truck if you approach it as a business first. Keep your priorities in order; family first. -
Don -
People stay with the first company for 1 year often to get their CDL training paid for. Then you have like another tier of companies that open up once you get 1 year experience. I wouldn't think of owning your own rig until later on if you decide that you like the industry and have a good understanding of the business.
Ken Worth Thanks this. -
Just speaking from my perspective as a newbie, I'm starting with a starter company in two weeks after doing a lot of research and having confidence that my starter company is the right choice for me. That being said, my goal is to end up with a good local or semi-local job somewhere in this country as soon as I can get one. Either a city driving job with a company like ABF or as a switcher for a railroad company or something of that sort.
I will plan to drive OTR for my starter company for the year, or as long as it takes, but I will begin applying for the jobs I envision as the next stepping stone the day I acquire my CDL. Then I will apply to them all every 3 months thereafter. If I find myself lucky enough to land one of the next stepping stone jobs before my year is up with the starter, I will gladly pay the tuition out of pocket and I don't think it will be bad juju on my resume or anything.Chinatown Thanks this. -
I'm not saying don't plan for the future, that is an absolute necessity. Just don't subjugate your day to day living for some fuzzy future dream!
To get ready for bigger and better things, the very best way to do that, is to do the job you are currently in to the very best of your ability. Talk to the folks you work with, (within and out of your company.) Other drivers are an excellent source of info. You just have to be able to separate the BS from the gold nuggets of wisdom! Use your common sense, and if someone is telling you about a job that is too good to be true. . .as I said, use your common sense.
Your observation about figuring out what a "nice sweet gig is," shows a true level of intelligence and maturity on your part. Sometimes, you have to work for crap companies to appreciate the good ones. BTDT! I never regretted working for a rip off father son operation right after getting my CDL. That short, (2 months) job taught me just how bad some of these companies can be. Made me appreciate every employer that I worked for after that! Even some that were "less than stellar."
OK, that is it for my FREE advice. Should you wish to pay for some more however, I take cash, certified checks or money orders only. No credit cards!
Good luck to you!
(You may ask what gives ME the right to give advice. Well, I'll tell you, I DO!) -
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Cottonmouth85 Thanks this.
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