Hello everyone. New trucker here.

Hello!
I just got started out in trucking.
I went to a truck driving school, which was about 4 weeks, 40 hours per week, so 160 hours total.
I got my CDL, class A, with endorsements (hazmat, tanker, doubles/triples).
Then I applied at several places.
I knew I didn't want to do OTR. Not for me. I wanted a trucking job that gets me home every night. So based on what I learned on this forum, I figured out LTL trucking was probably the best fit for me.
Again, I applied at several places, but I was eyeing FXF as #1. I was especially interested in their Driver Development program, since I am new to this and truck driving school really left a lot of unanswered questions.
I was fortunate enough to get the job with FXF, and I am now almost finished with the Driver Development program!
I have learned so much!
So that is where I am at.
It looks like I am on the right track.
I am enjoying it. Trucking is something different for me, something new. But, I could see myself being good at it since I am very methodical and detail oriented.
Thanks to everyone on these forums, the information here has been very helpful!

 

I am done with the DDC (Driver Development Course), and I am now out doing the job with a trainer tagging along to observe and correct any issues that arise.

I guess the DDC was about 5 weeks in my case. Extremely thorough training with a big focus on safety. They have pretty much left no stone unturned.

I've learned things even some experienced drivers don't know. Like how to hook up a set, backing pups into the tightest docks imaginable, how to shift a manual on a grade (while going uphill, to prevent a stall), and so much more.

I've been getting paid for it too! By looking through there forums it looks like a lot of guys are working a lot harder, and not getting home for days at a time, even not always showering regularly, for less money than I have been making in TRAINING at FXF.

All things said, I think it is a great company. I guess LTL is pretty much the place to be, and I think all of them are hiring like crazy right now so good luck to anyone that wants to try it.

 

Nothing wrong with OTR if that's what you want to do. If I was single I would probably just live in the truck for a few years to save money. But, I have a family so I can't really do that now.

In my case, with a family, OTR was just not going to work. I might as well have thrown my CDL in the trash if OTR was the only thing available. A lot a guys are still saying you have to do OTR for 1 year before you can do anything else. That is simply not true. Not anymore.