My Journey as a Truck Driver

So my background is in business analysis and investment consulting. Waay too many ups and downs the past 15 years. My family is in the warehousing business, have about 1.5 million square feet in Illinois & Indiana, so I've been in the transportation world a bit. I decided to get my CDL and lose/find myself a bit on the road. I'm single, no commitments, I want to drive long and hard for at least the next 3 years, pay off debts, and figure out where to go from there.

This will be a documentation of that journey. I'd love any input, good and bad.

I'm 2 weeks into my CDL training. There are 4 of us, and my instructor is top notch, so we're each getting good individual training and plenty of drive time.

Remember, I analyze . . . probably too much. I research the hell out anything I do. While I'm finishing my 4 week course, I'm trying to get a pre-approval hire pending attainment of CDL. I've looked up so many CSA scores that DOT can call me for safety advice.

Here are the companies that I've eliminated from consideration:
Werner
Star Transport


Here are the companies that I'm considering:
Roehl
JBS Carriers
Marvin Keller

My 3 priorities is getting a decent trainer; getting decent equipment; and as many miles as I can. I'm willing to reset on the road, I don't need to ever go home . . . in fact, I'm hoping to literally live out of the truck for awhile.

So there it is, I'd love any advice, particularly about the carriers I'm considering. Thanks much!

 

Yeah, not sure if anything works right now, just trying to make the best decision I can until I get some experience to make better decisions.

But the basic analysis I've done is to look at in particular a companies Hours of Service violations and Maintenance violations.

My logic is that if a company has good Maintenance scores, than they probably run good equipment, and make it easy for drivers to get basic repairs done.

HoS violations are a bit more complex. A lot of HoS violations probably indicates a company pushes a driver hard . . . but I want miles, so I want to be pushed hard. With e-logs its difficult to run violations, but its also harder to get 3000 + miles a week. At perfect time efficiency, averaging in 34 hour resets, and assuming 50 mph, you max out at 3,062 miles/week. Frankly I'd almost prefer paper logs with the ability to run more miles.

I know these are over-simplifications, but just an example of the process I'm going through. As always, if someone has other suggestions, fire them at me!

 

Hey CCTanker, thanks for that. I'm amazed how difficult it is to find that "decent company" to start with. It's hard getting a clear cut answer . . . which leads me to believe that it's a different fit for each person I guess.

I'm not trying to get rich, my hope is to make about $37,500 my first year. I'd like to be about $50,000 year 2.

 

I know, maybe I'm being a bit naive, but if so, then I'll ask to be routed home each week or whatever . . . my intent is to be a "model" employee until I'm shown that its not worth it. I don't want to start out jaded, although I do want to be aware.