About to take the plunge! Questions!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Doom Guy, Jul 23, 2016.

  1. Doom Guy

    Doom Guy Bobtail Member

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    So I've been in and out of call center type jobs and low paying retail since 2009. I'm 26 years old and I live in Tucson AZ and I want to get the neck outta here. I have a few thousand dollars in debt but nothing that's holding me back, and things have been pretty rocky with the girlfriend lately so that might be on its last leg... I'm renting a room in my friends house so I'm not on the lease and I don't really have my own car at the moment. I have a perfectly valid license but I've had a couple camera tickets and one driving without insurance that's maybe 3 years old. But EVERYTHING has been paid in full and I think those things have dropped from my record. So my questions are:
    -What company/ies is/are widely accepted as the best company to drive for if I also need them to pay for my CDL?
    -If I'm single, have no expenses besides a phone bill, the costs to drive the truck, and living costs OTR, will I be able to bank a decent little cushion if I run hard for 2-3 years?
    -I'm 6'4"... am I gonna have issues in the truck? And also, how nice are the trucks that are given to company newbies and will they have inverters? (Not important just curious)
    -Im used to making like 500-700 dollar checks every 2 weeks... If if its just me and my minimal expenses, will I be happy even at the low end of the pay spectrum?
    -ANY other tips/things you wish you knew would be very much appreciated!!! THANKS!!!
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Try Jim Palmer Trucking as a first choice.
    You will more than double your current pay as a new driver. Probably make $800 - $1000 a week after all training phases are complete.
    Check Jim Palmer trucks on the website on the photo gallery page.
     
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  4. Doom Guy

    Doom Guy Bobtail Member

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    Yeah I've seen a few people talk about them in the forums and they sound great. Would it be an obstacle to get to them from Tucson AZ or would they help with that?
     
  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    If they approve you, they will provide transportation to their school; probably in Missoula,MT.
     
  6. CO Zaxby

    CO Zaxby Bobtail Member

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    What Chinatown said.
    Jim Palmer/Wil-Trans runs new 579s and Cascadias, inverters, APU, direct TV etc.
    You'll make more in training then you do now. I have been hearing issues lately of people not getting accepted to their CDL program, but I would give it a try. I'll be at JPT next week, and will be documenting my experience , so keep a lookout.
     
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  7. Doom Guy

    Doom Guy Bobtail Member

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    Awesome congrats! Is it that they are filling their spots really quickly? If I cant get on with them is there a next best?
     
  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    MCT Transportation
    Roehl Transport
    Southern Refrigerated Transport
    Celadon
     
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  9. CO Zaxby

    CO Zaxby Bobtail Member

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    I have seen some people mention that they just didn't qualify, even with no criminal or driving record. Browsing the forums I have noticed some people in the same situation as me, some got accepted and some didn't.

    It depends what your looking to haul. JPT actually hauls Reefer for Prime, so you could look at prime. It's my understanding their training is very similar to JPT.
     
  10. Doom Guy

    Doom Guy Bobtail Member

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    Isn't Prime considered ones of the "Mega's" ? I heard you should avoid the huge national companies at all costs...
     
  11. Doom Guy

    Doom Guy Bobtail Member

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    Would you say in that order or are those all good starting companies? And will they all pay for CDL?
     
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