New to the Field, in need of imput

First I have to say once you get behind the wheel you will lose the desire to drive non-stop as much as possible but you sound like the answer to a dispatcher's prayer .
As far as the dog goes , some carriers allow it , some charge a damage deposit . But some shippers and receivers do not allow animals on their property .
On the satellite , tv , laptop deal .... Don't pay big bucks for a DC tv . Buy a regular tv and get an invertor . You can get a lot of tv shows and movies online . You can get an aircard for the laptop for $40 a month . I stop at Flying J often enough to have their $12.99 a month WiFi (annual rate) . If you subscribe to NetFlix you get unlimited free online movies . If you have Dish network at home or know someone that will put you on their account if you get a receiver and dish you only have to pay $5 a month on that account to have service in the truck . But running the way you say you want to you won't spend much time watching movies . If you want to travel to see the country I'd suggest googling expediter forums . Expediters have more downtime but earn as much because the rates are higher . They also use mostly straight trucks which allow easier parking to sightsee .

 

Make sure you keep a mailing address. You have to have a tax home. Otherwise you cannot collect per diem on your taxes, and this is a LARGE deduction. 80% of 52.00 for every day you spend away from your tax home. Even if it is just a friend or family member that you have as a mailing address, and have some kind of contract with 1.00 a month rent.

Flatbed pays more per mile typically. Some get you miles = to what you would see elsewhere, others will not. With car sales down, and new home sales down you will have to be careful with who you choose in flatbed. I would start at a dry or reefer company, due to freight LVLs, your choice though. Dog may make it a little harder to be choosy, but the company's are around.

 

The Best Company? Hahaha Read through this site and you have to judge for yourself. It all going to depend on you if the Company is good or bad one. It will be pending on your attitude, willing to follow instructions and willing to learn the companies systems.

You will need to find someone to baby sit the Dog while in training.

When you are filling out the applications you will have to list both license.

Good luck and enjoy.

Not all lose the desire. Some are doing just that, sold everything and living in the truck. If I was not engaged I would, and I been out there and know how it is.

I use an Air Card which is much better. Not always at a truck stop or where you can use the Wifi..

Yes If you have to have an address no matter what from my understanding.

As for which type of hauler such as Flatbed, reefer, or dry van it all pending what you like doing. Flatbed pays more? Forgive me in laughing. Maybe so if your an O/O with own authority for the loads pays more on average, but it up to the carrier on how much they pay the driver.

 

You must have a physical address, a PO box will not work for per diem.

 

A little more than just an address is needed. You must be able to prove you are providing a place to live. Whether through rent, utilities or whatever.

 

I won't answer all the questions, but I have spent over a month researching the same questions,,
First, get your CDL and endorsements on your own $$ ,,,,,, Don'T become an indentured servant to some company because you went to there school.

Second, Once you do have your CDL you will still have to mentor with a company that will hire you , and if you make it past there training/mentor then you may have a job driving.

Third, If you read thru a lot of the threads on the love/hate forums you will see that every company gets kudos just as much as they get hate mail.... So I guess it would be in the eye of the gear shifter

I have 5 more weeks of class before I take my CDL test, but I do start on my 204 hours of drive time training this coming Tuesday !

Good Luck From Oregon !

 

Good information here for anyone interested in trucking....

I have moved a relative in the house I have at the moment to:
a) babysit my dog as well as their own dog....
b) Have someone in the house....they pay the utilities, I make the house payment.
c) if I must I will live out of a truck.....I would not mind team driving,just do not know anyone to team up with that is why I considered "solo" driving.
d) I got to do something other than just watch tv....too young to retire and too poor to consider it......

IF anything, I know I tried to do my best for today....that is all I have is one day at a time.....

 

I have a buddy who works for Melton (which is flatbed) and they keep him running everyday. When he does go home it is because he wants too and its not more than a couple days at a time. He is averageing about $800 to $1000 a wk.
Pulling a flatbed pays more because there is a lil more work involved. You have to oversee loading of your truck, then you have to stap and secure everything down so it dosent go anywhere. Its not just drop and hook as with dry vans. I pull flatbeds and believe me there is no way I would go to pulling vans, the loads are more interesting.
As for haz-mat loads there is way more paperwork involved, you have too be way more carefull, and the DOT will watch you harder. I pull haz-mat and even with what I just said it's not bad.
As for in the truck, it will come with a bed and shelves. You can add whatever you want pretty much, refregerater, tv, laptop, and yes a satelite dish. Like the other guy said dont buy a DC tv buy a regular one then get you an inverter, you will need one anyway to run your laptop.
Like I said if it were me I would go with the flatbeds it is more interesting, more handson, and just more fun if your not lazy. And Melton does hire right out of school, and I've never heard anything bad about them. As for pets I dont know all companies are different.
Good luck I hope you make it and enjoy yourself!!!!