Starting out for rookies

Hi all, my name is Tony and I want to drive semi's, I am 33 years of age father of two who kids live in Oregon and I live in Colorado, I have been working hospitality off and on for 12 years. I have been reading your forums and need some straight forward talk. I was going to drive back when I was 18 signed up for Job Corps and got told like all the recruiters do, told what I wanted to hear I was in for 8 months as a volunteer, meaning for the other who went was court ordered. I learned allot from my instructor there he had driven over the road for over 10 years and had decided to take a government job training kids like myself who had no experience and let me tell you he would run us ragged but now after reading these boards I know why. I dont have a cdl and the best thing I can see is to work for a company that pays for your training, I am interested in knowing about Central Refrigeration and why everyone says to stay away from Swift, CR England, Werner etc and if these are that bad who do you look at if you want to drive over the road for a few years to get your experience to move on. I am looking for good pay, benefits,home time and safe trucks, I am not interested in breaking the law and going to prison for a company. Can you please help thanks

 

Hello all from a new OTR wife and new to this forum. A little history about us.....My husband drove OTR in europe ( ex wife is a German national) for 4 years for Opel racing, returned to the states in 2002 after divorce. 2003 has CDL stateside all endorsements and working construction endumps, bellydumps and front discharge cement mixer. Saved in the summers to supplement unemployment in the winter (Nevada). He is now OTR for CRE on training day 4 as a CO. driver. We went with CRE due to the only one to get back with us after the latest layoff ( hauling diatematous earth for local mining co). Many other companies would not touch him due to his lack of OTR in the states. Clean, clean, clean driving record. This is not to put anyone off from going the local construction, driver route.....just sharing the boat that we have found ourselves in. Take care and best wishes to all!

Lori

 

I prefer to work for a smaller family owned company. With the big company you are a number and with a small family owned company you are a name. That is a big difference. Some of the freight might be odd or the backhauls will be out of you way but they usually take better care of their drivers. Money wise I made $50,000.00 last year and was home almost everynight. I say almost because I volunteered to run out East when the local freight slowed down. Guess it all depends on the driver.

 

Good post but let me ask . How many drivers has your employer hired in the last 6 months and how many do you predict they will need to hire in the foreseeable future ? When they do hire will it be someone off the street or a friend or relative referred by an employee ? And just out of curiosity do you know how many applications they have on file ?
I work for a fleet owner with 25 trucks . Earlier this year they hired 2 O/O's . I've talked to both of them and neither is happy . They sit too long between loads . Company drivers get dedicated loads and always come home empty . O/O's wait for reloads coming back . We have 5 times as many applications as we need . We'd have a lot more but the carrier the trucks are leased on only allows drivers to be hired through online applications from the corporate website . They select which applications go to which terminal . To get an application considered by our terminal you have to be the best of the best . Corporate sent us 2% of the applications they received and only 10% of those may be needed this year .

 

mack what your saying is very true ,iv built roads and bridges for the last ten yrs and construction is at an all time low even for dot jobs and our faithful federal stimulous package but the problem here in south fla is we bring everthing in and we dont manufacture anything except some produce and its difficult for the drivers once they have come south of orlando to get a load north,,,the main reason the trucking companys dont want to come here,so how dos a regular joe get a job?? cant haul containers out of the port,the cubans have that locked up,we do have sod to haul and when theres work the precast companys pay good but you have to be an o/oand most are cuban and work cheap so it kills the price,sooooo mack any other suggestion????

 

Great options exist for those who want to be a Professional Driver without experience. I myself did it the hard way by going to a school payed for by the company hiring me putting myself in the position of becoming an indentured servant.

Other ideas are if one has the time and a little extra money. Study for the test's in your spare time take them to receive your permit once you have a permit rent a vehicle with air brakes and take the driving test to gain your CDL. Once you have a CDL you will be less of a hassle for lower end companies that can view you as a driver trainee as apposed to a newbie off the street.

Also to gain experience and get a job with hundreds of companies who will require training 3-24 weeks, go to a truck driving school. As a recent grad several companies will reimburse your school expenses if you stay with them 6-12 months. The pay will be entry level but within a year you will have training experience and be eligable to hire on with reputable companies.

Tank

 

hey evey1 , im the newbie tryin to get into this career but companies don't even call you back anymore , i just wait and hope someone would give me the chance to get on board with them and as far as c.r. england -- well i just dont get how if im unemployed y would i pay them $1400 and also give them 6mnths drivin wit someone who's makin all the money while i make a measly 300-400 a wk -- i thought companies were supposed to pay us not me pay them ??? any input on this ??

 

For you students out there ready to do the big plunge and are heading to your first assignment and are wondering what to take with you for the first month or so in that truck I'm hoping my 30+ years of traveling can help you out. For you women (and guys) who are slaves to fashion and just HAVE to wear 3 and 4 shirts a day and have a suitcase full of makeup, STOP and reevaluate your wanting to become a truck driver! Modeling or an office job might be more up your alley!

Dirty clothes take up room and remember there are 2 people and their belongings in that rolling closet called a truck, and you are only there temporally! Plan on a 1 month road trip with 1 suitcase! I can tell you from experience that hard sided suitcases hurt when they hit your co driver in the head, and hurt even worse when thrown back at the owner! They do not expand that needed extra inch and stay the same size when empty! You'll be moving it around several times a day and you'll come to thank yourself for only bringing the 1 large travel bag! Remember you only have 2 hands so 2 bags are the limit! You will also be traveling by bus or plane. You can do without the kitchen sink for a month! (Ok, I hear you saying the total is actually 3! The laptop case goes over your shoulder! ROFL!)

I've seen posts where you are told to bring a sleeping bag. Yes, a sleeping bag, LIGHTWEIGHT is ok but I would just wait till you are ready to roll and stop at Wal-Mart and get a cheapie 40degree bag to use and a pillow with case. Why have something else to carry! Another note is sleeping bags start to smell after long use and cleaning a cheap bag is a waste of money! Buy a new one! Donate the old one! Don't even think about washing one at a truck stop laundromat. You'll never get the lumps out of it!


You can find large 36"x 24" nylon bags at Wal-Mart or other stores. The larger the better! For a little more money you can get the same size with wheels, which is great for walking more than a few feet! Google suitcases! I also have a small nylon bag that I fit 1 pair of clothes, ditty bag and thermos for going in for my shower. Why carry the whole suitcase? You can use this as a carryon for the flight or bus ride to your new job as well.

Do you want to know how many clothes to carry? Fill the laundry bag up with full sets of clothes except for those you are wearing and that will tell you your limit! Also remember you will need to carry this bag how ever far it is to the washing machines! Get the idea yet? More isn't better always better.

Yes, you are heading to a new job and you might be low on cash to buy the few things you will need. You might be a little short on money but I'll be honest with you. BRING AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE! Note above; you will need to buy a sleeping bag and a pillow. BUT you will also have to eat and drink!

I can tell you most sit down meals at the truck stops are getting pricey! $8.00 is AVERAGE but $10.00 and higher is the norm and I'm a skinny little old guy and I don't eat much! Even Mickey D's and the King are getting stupid with their prices!

You will be able to get advances against your pay but if you do not keep up with what you are advancing yourself you'll wonder where your paycheck went! My rule is, I leave home with $150.00 (used to only be $100.00 till this year!) in my pocket per week, (I have a steady paycheck ) and every time I pull out of my pocket for the company I will advance that amount and ONLY that amount to put back into my pocket! This keeps the wife from asking the question, where did your money go or why did you need this? She has a P/C to spend and I have peace of mind!

Just another tip: Truck stops are nice but money hogs! The only things I buy at a truck stop is fuel, food, repairs and CB equipment. Anything else can be bought elsewhere and a freaking whole lot cheaper!

Good luck out there,
Rollover

The list ​

1) 1 large nylon ski bag light weight
2) 1 smaller nylon gym bag for going to shower.
3) Laundry bag
4) 7 pairs of clothing: undies, socks, pants, shirts/blouse/T's , PJ's if you wear them
5) 1 light weight jacket and sweater, WINTER 1 heavy jacket & gloves. You will be wearing the winter jacket (in winter) but the light weight jacket and sweater and you'll pack as you might need them for cool docks or cold blooded co driver!
6) 2 pairs of shoes, 1 must fit in the bag!
7) Ditty bag (shaving kit) with your personal hygiene stuff. Ladies an extra SMALL bag for your make up.
8) Laptop in a case with it's assorted junk

9) Briefcase with:
Paper work from school
NOTARIZED copy of your Birth Cert. (ask if you need original as this is one piece of paper you don't want to loose!)
Resume
Bank account info
SSN card
Calculator
Black ink pens (Wal-Mart- Pilot- thin point for logs!)
Yellow highlighter marker,
2 or 3 spiral note PADs 5x3" and/or 6x4" (fits in a pocket type)
1 large spiral note book for taking notes
Flashlight A GOOD heavy metal one!
Leatherman tool or one similar do not buy a cheapo!
IPod & Cell phone and HEADSET (learn to use it and like it as the laws are changing and your co driver might not like your taste in music and your phone conservations!
The charging equipment for everything, preferably DC
1 Rand McNally road atlas (truckers)
Stapler (small)
Magnifying glass
Scissors
Sewing kit
EXTRA pair of glasses if it says so on your CDL (you MUST have 2 pairs of glasses) and your sunglasses
Good_book
Writing pad and envelopes (if you still write)
Kleenex
Several 1 qt sized Ziploc bags (good for loose stuff)
Immodium AD ( you WILL need it!)
Asprin and your regular meds
Batteries to fit anything needing them!
Box of Handi wipes


10) 2 pair of work gloves 1 of these will be used for fueling ONLY!

If it doesn't fit into the 1 bag, 1 laptop case or the briefcase you DO NOT NEED IT! You will not need tools until you get on your own truck.(I'll do a tools needed list some other time) Keep this advice in mind if you are going to a company where you have to slip seat each time you get time off or go home. You might even be reducing some of the clothes to fit the CB radio in the bag or that XM radio rig! Remember everything you collect while out on the road either as trainee or solo will have to be taken to your home or next truck!
Good luck: Rollover

 

Yes, a sleeping bag(lightweight) is a good idea...remember, IF your bigtruck breaks in the dead of winter and your waiting on Road Service, no engine = no heat.

I personally ENJOY my $13.00 "lunchbox" oven. Plug it in to your lighter socket and you can cook ANYTHING that will be so hot, it'll burn your mouth. Many have microwaves...ok..personal choice. While my foods a cookin, I check truck out, do needed paperwork, go in TS. If your the kinda person like me that MISSES homecooked nourishing meals and dont wanna settle for day-after-day TS "food"(could write a book on that), then hook yourself up. nothing replaces a homecooked meal like your wivies can make.

TS food is well, "different". Many offer buffets, and yes, Ive enjoyed many good meals off a buffet..ie vegtables, meatloaf, etcetc BUT(here it comes), WATCH it when you pull N2 a TS in the late afternoons, chances are its been there aloooong time sitting...yes, they do change the pans with fresh, but not allem do. Be VERY wary of the "Deli" thru the glass food, its dried up alot and just sits there UNTIL bought...they'll buy it TOO and crack a tooth.

The Petro TS's have a HORRIBLE habit for letting their heated food be bought up and NOT replace it and the driver (if starved), HAS no alternative to go N2 the restaraunt and pay their prices. Keep in mind, not all TS's are like that...some good, some bad.

Turnpikes are HORRIBLE for their skyrocket food prices...better just keep driving and starve...bathrooms are free but if they change that, I'm crawling underneath the door.

If your a Pepsi drinker(like me), I always stock up at wallyworld with 3or4 6packs....1liter plastic bottles is what I get...avg TS charges $1.50-$1.99 FOR ONE...wallyworld...$2.75 a six. Drink coffee? YUP, I get the can for 6 bucks and NOT pay $1.00-$2.00 atrip when I stop at TS. Buy a coffee pot(theyre getting cheaper) Mine was $9.99 on sell at a RV store and I've had that little fart for 4yrs now....brews goood still. The coffee Ive had over the years(B4 I bought my maker), you could put in your crankcase and itd run just fine. Another thing...a broom. Many Companies give ya one, some dont. Why we need one(glad ya asked), You deliver, move MT to your next Shipper, shipper says,"You gotta sweep out trailer, health standards ya know, sorry". You ask to borrow THEIRS, guess what, they say no...utoh, big problem. My wife bought me one of those "collapseable" ones. Its like a antenna, fits just fine in your jockeybox and extends out like a reg broom. I'm sure you've seen trucks with brooms on the back BUT remember, when asleep, its wierd how brooms grow legs and just walk away under their own power. BESIDES, the shipper JUST might have you leave the dock cause (ahem) there are other big trucks waiting....dont think your dispatcher would like that.

_____________________________
"Cant help it, I'm as pure as the driven slush".

"Why do fat people think they can "skinny" dip"?

 

Hello all,

I am seriously considering leaving the "office" environment and getting out of sales. I want to see the country and make a decent living. I've read all these negative stories about CR ENGLAND, SWIFT, USA TRUCKS, STEVENS TRANSPORT, PAM, etc. etc.

From what I gather is that you basically have to be someone's ##### for a year to get the experience, and then the doors open up for better opportunities. I get that. I know you have to crawl before you walk.

My question to you is, would I be better off going to a local community college and taking out a personal $5,000 loan and pay it back and find a company I want to work for, or should I just take my licks and go with a CR England, SWIFT or something similiar and get it paid for, put in my time, and get out??

Any and all replies welcome, and especially from those who have gone the community college route as I haven't read hardly any statements from that group.

Thanks in advance!!