Starting out for rookies

Wow, this is great stuff! I will definitely try it all out. Thanks especially to It'sAllGood, that's a fantastic idea!

I know B class driving isn't the best long-term choice, but I'm not really thinking of doing this forever anyway.

 

hey killa just try and try its possable to get a local class "a" job i did with no school! look into food distribution or grain or dirt hauling and such. Its hard work but it will give you the experience you need to get a better job. also am-trucker is right class b is worthless to the cause i know got like 600,000 or better in a straight truck.

 

WOW!!! This information is priceless. I will be going for my CDL A course in Jan (provided enough people sign up). It looks like i'll be do OTR fresh out the gate.

 

I drove a 6 wheeler box truck for 10 years. Did not know how to drive an 18 wheeler, but went out and bought one. Learned how to drive it with no one to help. I failed the CDL class A test at the DMV 4 times before getting it. I am now self employeed, and do what I want and make what I want, and would not want to work for anyone else.
p.s. I got the info on how to become an owner operator from this web site, in the "so you want to own your own company" form.

 

I really can't believe what the trucking industry has become and why it's become what it is today. I am in my 50's and have been working in the warehouse industry for the past 20 years. Now that industry has been completely taken over by hispanics and illegals who have driven the wages down to near nothing for forklift drivers etc. So, I decided to get my CDL and try trucking having had relatives in the industry in the past. Things have changed my friends and for the worst. The days of having companies give you a fair shake are pretty well over with. Most are liars, cheats and they are so over-regulated that they scrutinize you to death. I have no desire to drive OTR for companies who keep you out for 6 weeks at a time and suck you dry through deductions so that by the time you get back, you're beat down, demoralized and nearly broke all in the name of "getting experience". They love newbies because they can make slaves out of them which I refuse to be. You can call it the nature of the beast or what not, but, I have only met a few truckers who aren't high strung, mouthy, inconsiderate, rude people to begin with and the companies they work for are double that. I pity anyone who pays out thousands of dollars in these so called driving schools believing in the empty promises of these thieves. It's pretty sad when a guy can't even find a job driving a simple water truck unless he has years of experience when it takes about a day or two training to get the job done. It's sad and I'm wishing I wouldn't even have bothered with it. I spent one day driving with a trainer and got my CDL with no restrictions, and it cost me about 350 dollars, but, I have been hearing and seeing so much crap in this industry that I'm pretty sure that you have to have connections or relatives to break into it without spending a ton of money. I have been unemployed for eight months and just got this CDL two weeks ago along with my medical card and now I wish I wouldn't even have bothered.

 

And yet here you are on a "starting out for rookies" trucker forum...

 

Howdy-

I'm a newb, going on 3 months solo with Swift. Went through their school to get experience. Having fun out here, and I learn something new every day. I don't feel demoralized, or beat down, and I'm not a slave. I have to pay back the school tuition, but I'm thankful that they have it set up where they take out so much a week and didn't want the full amount up front. They're definitely not sucking me dry. I'm making decent money.

As far as the weeks out on the road, you said OTR companies keeps you out 6 weeks at a time. I go home every couple of weeks. Sometimes I'm out for 3 weeks, only because I choose to. Swift is very good at getting me home on the dates I ask.

I will leave you with this. Attitude is everything, and you get what you give.

 

Hey guys....as far as money....flatbet or van.....i have heard that flatbed starts out more but they sit longer....what do I do here?

 

That's not what my brother, who is a flatbedder, tells me. One of the reasons he likes flatbed, is that he doesn't wait long to load or unload. The sitting depends on your dispatcher, if they have loads lined-up for you. You may have to wait for them to get you another load. Smaller companies are more prone to this. I think the larger ones will try to keep you moving.

 

Great post. I am looking forward to working for Swift and appreciating the opportunity.