Million Dollar Question.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by khummel, Apr 10, 2009.

  1. khummel

    khummel Bobtail Member

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    Apr 10, 2009
    Dubois, PA
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    I guess it's what every "wanna be" wants to know before I waste five grand on training. Are the jobs out there? I'm not looking to get rich but with my current career (carpenter) I'm going poor. Trucking seems like a good option, I don't mind the travel, I don't expect to be home more than every two weeks or so, I'm sure I can learn to drive the trucks. What concerns me is the stories I hear about sitting around waiting for loads, rotten trainers, getting pushed beyond your limits Etc.... I had a pre-hire from Werner and after looking into them I threw the #### application away. I just want to help my family get by, I'm completely new to this, but I have a few things going for me; one accident two years ago and one speeding ticket ever (I'm 33). The only personal concern I have is tattoo policies....do companies like TMC have an issue? Mine could be covered with long sleeves. Home is in north central PA, right off of I-80 would this make for good home time? any advice, companies to look into or stay away from would be appreciated. Be safe, and thanks.
     
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  3. Shaggy

    Shaggy Road Train Member

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    The first 6 months are rough, Unless you pick up a local job.

    I would look into tri axle ( dump truck ) ( roll off dumpster ) lots of potential jobs, Dubois has alot of dump truck work. I personally would not even try going OTR, Unless it was a dire situation.

    I-80 is a dream route for home time. Try PI&I motor express over in masury,oh.
    have a PO box in sharon,Pa. If you wan't to do flatbed.
     
  4. jtraveler

    jtraveler Bobtail Member

    The horror stories with new drivers and trainers can be somewhat of a deterent to driving OTR. I wish I could say that they weren't true, but they do exist. Some are validated, others are fabricated by disgruntled drivers that didn't get their way. Either way, make sure you research a company thoroughly before you accept employment.

    Not many good companies hire trainees. In fact, none of them do. You'll either be starting in a national carrier like Werner, Swift, or JB Hunt. Or, a smaller local company may bring you on to fill a seat. Either way, expect a lot of aggravation and frustration for the first 6-12 months as you adjust to the lifestyle.

    After a year of safe driving, you become marketable. Two years would be better. The more time that passes, the better the opportunities that will present themselves.

    Part of the problem that many new drivers make is that they jump ship the moment another company offers a better deal. My advice is to tough out the crappy job until your two years is up. Other trucking companies value longevity in a driver. Those that jump from one job to the other will always get the bottom feeder jobs that aren't worth squat.

    Is there jobs out here? Yes. Are there any good jobs available? No. It's dog eat dog in the trucking world. Those that have integrity and strong work ethics will succeed, while bottom feeders complain and whine.

    Now, with that said, if a company abuses you for their gain, drop them. No sense putting up with dishonest companies. And believe me, there is quite a few of them around.

    Trucking is what you make of it,
     
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  5. southernpride

    southernpride Gone But Never Forgotten

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    Apr 5, 2009
    orlando,fl
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    my friend the fact that your asking questions before getting into this business is a good thing trucking is most definatly not for everyone.
    BUT when you ask those questions you have to realise that every driver out here has a different answer, a different opinion,a different attitude all of them are different.
    i never discourage anyone that wants to get into this business ask your questions and consider the answers and use some common sense to decide on what answers are good answers there are a lot of bad answers.
    to put it bluntly trucking is a big pain in the ### BUT i for one love it , the business , the trucks most of the drivers WHY ?because there all different and every day is another adventure and another destination.
    you have to understand this is the most diversified business in the country consaquently it has the most problems BUT it dosent have a problem that you cant overcome and i for one wouldnt have it any other way.
    NOW it is unfortunat that you have to pay so much money for a #### truck driving school i dont like anyof them but the way things are not really a choice just remember this all of them charge to much, dont tell you enough, and dont do enough, you in reality can not learn to drive a truck in a parking lot or by driving a mile up and down the interstate but seems that is the current trend thanks to our wonderfull goverment. butthe only way around it is to find an owner operator that is wiling to teach you if your lucky enough to find one after a couple of trips you just go take the test for your CDL all the law requires is that you pass the test.
    as far as companys to work for , trucking companys are much like drivers there are good ones and there are bad ones just be selective on who you drive for they can cause you problems .
    can you make a good living? YES YOU CAN if you dont mind the life style and the travel and the long days away from home the money can be very good.
    just remember this when you get started dont let a company force you into driving illegal and they will try that you can bet on they in fact could care less about you YOUR JUST A DRIVER and thats there attitude.
    NOW im not a company driver i own my on trucks i tried a few times to drive for a company i didnt like the first company and liked the last one even less so i drive my own.
    but in spite of the problems there is nothing quite like driving a truck it usally takes a few weeks to get use to it but after that it will be kinda hard to quite , dont be discouraged by all the bad your here all of it just aint true,
    GOOD LUCK MY FRIEND remember its a great adventure. SOUTHERNPRIDE:biggrin_25525:
     
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  6. BoDarville01

    BoDarville01 Light Load Member

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    Apr 2, 2009
    Atlanta, GA
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    this is what they are asking.....Jobs are out there...BUT you will have to be willing to sacrafice alot to find one. Want to be home every weekend? scratch that one off your list. Want 2500 miles, maybe.....but odds are you'll average 1800-2000...and that is if you have a good DM. And it depends on the size of the company. I feel the smaller the company, the easier it is to keep their drivers rolling. Downside to that is, they arent hiring drivers.

    For example your bigger companies, Swift for example, sound like they are looking for any excuse to term drivers, just to hire new students. Saves them money in the long run, and then if you dont 'work out' they term you too, they've got you for the school loan, and you're forced to look for another company with a blemish on your DAC (probably).

    Jobs ARE out there, but like i said, you will have to give alot. If you put a premium on 'hometime', you might want to reconsider. Wherever you go, get your 6mo to a year in, and i'm sure local jobs will open up for you.
     
  7. khummel

    khummel Bobtail Member

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    Apr 10, 2009
    Dubois, PA
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    All good advice, Thanks for taking the time to answer.
     
  8. wwfd1220

    wwfd1220 Light Load Member

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    Mar 26, 2009
    Whitewater, Wisconsin
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    you could try roehl, they have there own schools and from what i remember they have a very good maintenence department. i enjoyed my training with them, they were a very good experience for me, granted that was 10 years ago. but other than the miles, i do not hear to many complaints about them. and from what i can tell, nobody is getting a ton of miles right now. or you could try millis transfer as well. the guys driving for them on this board, for the most part seem happy... i have friend who has driven for them for 8 years now, and he says he loves the company, and his loads are picking up as well
     
  9. 3mbrace

    3mbrace Bobtail Member

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    Apr 11, 2009
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    thanks for the advice, a lot of good feedback guys, thx for the info.
     
  10. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Owensboro , KY
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    Yes , companies are hiring but you have to consider why they are hiring . With 20,000 - 30,000 jobs being lost in the trucking industry every month carriers are all downsizing their fleets . Nobody is hiring because they are adding trucks . They only hire for 2 reasons . Either somebody got terminated or somebody quits . Often a termination is due to a minor offense that will result in a negative DAC report that will make getting hired by another company very difficult . Would you really want to take a job to replace somebody that quit because the working conditions were just intolerable ? Some carriers have over 100 drivers sitting home after orientation waiting for an available truck . These drivers were hired because the carrier expects 100 drivers to quit within the next month . Give that some thought .
     
  11. Passin Thru

    Passin Thru Road Train Member

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    VA
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    My bro lives by Erie and pulls dump out of Buffalo and he says work since the first of the year is 1/2 what it was before Jan 1. Things are really bad and this co has been in the biz for a log time.

    Don't join dangerous cults, practice safe sects
     
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