Why is it so hard to get your feet wet in this industry?

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by bowmeyer1, Nov 6, 2008.

  1. bowmeyer1

    bowmeyer1 Light Load Member

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    I have never driven a truck on the road, my dad worked for Roadway all his life. i have been researching the trucking industry for nearly a year and have come to one simple conclusion... this is one of the hardest industries i have ever seen to get into in my life. i have researched three local driving schools and will end up having to go on gut feelings in choosing one. i have been around semi's for about ten years having worked for a hazardous waste company. i am confident on passing CDL school but not very confident on if i will be choosing the right one and the biggest question of all, who should i choose to work for when graduating. it seems to me that you have to learn the hard way. i hope to change this with future knowledge and will not make people pay for a book to learn the ins and outs. for what it costs to get in and the time away from home it seems like it should be treated as a more prestigious industry than it is. lets hope it will change... i will do my part. :)
     
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  3. Double L

    Double L Heavy Load Member

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    I would say Schneider would be your best bet as far a training companies as being good but they have a training freeze until January I believe. All the training companies are good for getting your year in but it's what YOU make of it and your attitude is an important part of trucking as to how you get treated in my opinion.

    It's not so much trucking is hard to get into, you have to pay your dues and start at the bottom. The main reason is insurance companies at a lot of local companies want at least 1 year experience if not 2 years.

    Oh yeah KEEP YOUR DRIVING RECORD CLEAN!!!!!!!!!
     
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  4. stranger

    stranger Road Train Member

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    Trucking is one of the easiest professions to get into. Most any Tom Dick & Harry can get laid off from work, decide to drive a truck, even if they have never driven anything more than a bicycle, and get their CDLs and a new career. All in a few short weeks to months.

    No other profession has such an easy entry. Look at the want ads for other skilled jobs. They want years of college and years of experience.

    That is why so many people are driving trucks who should not be.
     
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  5. bowmeyer1

    bowmeyer1 Light Load Member

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    thanks stranger... but im talking more about choosing the right driving school and then sifting through the fly by night companies trying to find a decent one. i have looked at three driving schools in my area and dont beleive anyone of them are PTDI certified . i realize i must start at the bottom, roll my sleeves up and get down right dirty, eat alot of crap, be on the road for weeks at a time, be stuck at places and not getting payed, i just would rather not be stranded or not receive a pay check.
     
  6. Thylanes

    Thylanes Light Load Member

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    Speaking as another newbie, I have found that trucking is both the easiest AND the hardest industry to get into. Easy, because there are a lot of small companies (and some shady ones as well) that will hire anyone that can see lightning and hear thunder. Hard, because the better companies want either experienced operators, or they want driving school graduates with clean records that they are able to train.

    Either way, plan on spending the first couple of years not making a lot of money, while you learn to drive. Driving school will not make you a driver; it will (hopefully) get you your license and allow you to operate a rig, but only time and practice will make you a driver.

    There are a lot of good companies out there with excellent training programs (Schneiders was mentioned already, Challenger is another that I know of, and there are many others). Contact them NOW, even before you pick a school; ask who they recommend or endorse (the school I graduated from is the only one in this area that Challenger will hire from), and make your pick accordingly.

    Good luck
     
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  7. zedanny

    zedanny Light Load Member

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    It's not hard Take three grand and get your own authority.buy or rent you a truck and trailer hire an expedience driver for 30 day to teach you after getting you a driving permit. your ready to go trucking.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2008
  8. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    It will be hard to be able to get freight through either a broker or on your own without experience, and leasing on to a company will be pretty difficult too without experience. Companies don't like to hire one that has not gone through school either.
     
  9. zedanny

    zedanny Light Load Member

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    Read my post slowly. Don't have to lease you will have your own company. Hire a driver to teach you for 30 day's Ok. Danny
     
  10. zedanny

    zedanny Light Load Member

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    School don't mean much if you have experience.My son hired a driver top of his class . Flew him in from CA. first trip out he tore up the trailer. So he was sent back to Ca.
    I would rather hire a driver with six months hands on exp. then a driver with 90 day's school. Danny
     
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  11. goin2fast10

    goin2fast10 Light Load Member

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    Although I am a bit older than you, I found it pretty easy, I chose a school/company close to where I lived. I went through their training, and immediately found another job. I had to do time with another trainer, and it was not to my liking, went to another job, didn't last long, went to another job, lasted ok, went to another job for a few days, went to another job and finally found one I COULD LIVE WITH.

    Bottom line; do what you gotta do.... if it's easy, it ain't worth havin'!
     
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