Not sure what ro do...

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by West TN Trucker, Aug 17, 2014.

  1. joshlee31

    joshlee31 Bobtail Member

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    i went with Prime-
     
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  3. joshlee31

    joshlee31 Bobtail Member

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    Honestly im nervous being a newbie. But im over factory life. Trucking i think is a very respectable profession.
     
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  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    PTL is a decent company and trucks have APU's. Don't have to take a physical if your DOT medical card has some time left on it; just take a pee test.
     
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  5. West TN Trucker

    West TN Trucker Light Load Member

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  6. Alaska76

    Alaska76 Road Train Member

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    Inland Empire, WA
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    I am sure you will do well!
     
  7. superflow

    superflow Road Train Member

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    " hold up there young man "
    ....you do realize OTR is going to be hard on your marriage and your babies right? ...and you do realize these OTR
    mega fleet outfits will be your best friend until they have you in their equipment 700 miles from home right ? ...i guess you also realize that bein on the job 24/7 for weeks at a time adds up to be about 8 bucks an hr (if your lucky) right?
    .....it's easy to get sucked into this but there are alot down falls to this job also , making mistake in this field can cost you alot ,like to the tune of : instant death !!! ,so one of the first things to learn is "get the big picture first"
    2nd "this is business" so they could care less about you and your family !!!(no matter what comes out of their mouth )
    3rd with a CDL you don't need any certain company ,there are lots more options ,.....since you have kidsand a wife
    My best advice is get on with a local LTL company ,paid by the hr (16 to 24 hrly) ,home everyday after work
    ....i know they will say " we need 2yrs experience " but if you are persistent and willing to work the dock or a yard dog
    Example : apply as a dock worker for USF Holland and casually let them know ,you also have a CDL
    ....right now you are probly fired up about getting on the road in a nice shiney road unit ,seeing the country ,be your own boss ,making the big bucks , "HOWEVER" !!! ...reality is this : your wife will get lonely waiting for you to come home and then having you to herself for about 3 days a month ,your babies won't get a chance to brag to you about what they did in school or show off for dad at the baseball games ,you will have 2 forts to hold down : cost of living on the road and sending most of your $ home to cover bills and family ....i realize im probably the most discouraging driver here but my colleagues know exactly what im saying to you is absolute truth !!!
    Not trying to burst your bubble , it's not what you wanted to hear but later on after you've been out here for awhile you will understand .....until then " get that CDL and get out here and do the superflow"
    .....welcome to trucking west
     
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  8. PikesPeak

    PikesPeak Light Load Member

    That's why I'm glad I'm single. I can take off, and drive forever, not being tied down.
     
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  9. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    You will be ok...
     
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  10. West TN Trucker

    West TN Trucker Light Load Member

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    Well gotta retake the combo and air break test next fri. failed both test only by 1. Not bad since I only had 3 days of class and 3 days to study. big reason I failed is I really didn't get a chance to really study the combo and air break test. The General Knowledge is so long that honestly that's the only test I was really prepared for. But come next Friday I will be ready just gotta retake them 2 small test and I have my CDL permit. But class continues and they already have us doing pre trip in which we will be tested on that Friday as well. I have so much more respect for yall truckers now. I had no idea that yall had to know sooooo much info lol. if you ask me if ya can get a CDL shoot ya can do just about anything even fly a PLANE!
     
  11. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    Wait until driving,shifting,watching out for crazy 4 wheelers all while eating a big mac...lol
     
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