Newbie Trucker with questions.

Most companies willing to take on inexperienced drivers will require you to be out 4-6 weeks at a time at best. Before everyone else comes on arguing, I know that there are small companies that will take on inexperienced drivers, and I do know that there are 'local' jobs available to inexperieced drivers, but those are both far between and difficult to find.

Unfortunately, there are more and more people turning to getting their CDL, then realizing that most companies aren't prepared to get you home every week or two. A little research before hand would help tremendously.

 

any of the major should take you if everything is ok "no felonies" but they will want you out for awhile. I get the feeling you jumped before you looked. I hope that is not the case as you will be away for weeks at a time with most companies

 

Yes.
Tell your family that they can expect to see you for 3 or 4 days every 5 or 6 weeks for a year.
After that your options are limitless.

 

I remember a great guy I met in school ....Werner was sponsoring him..paid for it all School motel I even think they gave him money for meals.....The last week when the rest of us were scrambling for a first company....He came to me and was concerned....

Werner was going to send him out with a trainer for 6 Weeks with No Chance of Coming Back Home...He was asking me what to do ...

He had A wife and two young kids and had NEVER EVEN SPENT A NIGHT AWAY FROM HOME ...Before school...Straight from Mom and Dad's House into His House...NEVER A NIGHT AWAY FROM HIS WIFE...

Somebody at Werner thought he would be a good prospect for an over the road driver?....And NO Werner Wouldn't Consider Me...

 

From personal experience, Schneider is a good starter company. Also through a lot of research, some other companies that seem to be good starter companies, meaning good training & willing to take inexperienced drivers, Roehl, Prime, Stevens & I think Con-Way truckload may also have a good training program for recent CDL grads. There are others as well, but I've heard far more good than bad about the companies I mentioned. Also check the threads on this site, there has been much written. Also depends on your hiring area, I didn't see where you live.

 

yes
and if other things don't work out you can probably start with CR England (my current place) and you can survive.

 

I highly recommend you find something else. As a newbie your chances of landing some local are remote. Not impossible, but you have to realize there is a long line of experienced drivers who don't want to be on the road and away from their families either. If you owned a local trucking business who would you hire, a newbie with no skills, no record to drive your $200,000 rig to all of your customers, or would you hire an experienced professional with a proven track record?

Unfortunately you will have to pay your dues. Usually this means a year of over the road experience. With a family and kids somehow I don't think you are going to like this. The number one reason for newbies quitting within the first few months is due to home time. Most recruiters are going to tell you 2 weeks out. If you want to make more then Mcdonalds wages it is going to take more like 6-8 weeks to get a good average pay. Are there exceptions? Sure. Going to take a lot of research and some luck though. Not trying to sound negative but just letting you know what it is really like out there. Sounds as if a recruiter may have sold you a dream to get you to sign up for school!

Where do you currently reside? This will make a big difference. If you live in Illinois or Indiana your chances of local will be a lot better. I can tell you one thing for certain companies like England or other mega-carriers are going to promise you the world and tell you what ever you want to hear to get you to orientation. Better stick with trying to find a smaller company. Try Craigslist or this link....

http://www.truckdrivercentral.com/truckingcompanies.html

Good luck....