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I am looking to start a long haul trucking carrer with no experience. i have done my home work and i know what to expect when it comes to the trucking life style. I was just on the phone with a very enthusiastic gentleman from Werner Trucking. I had one simple question that i asked him, it went something like this "What is the best time of the year to attend a school and start working at the company the spring or fall?" His response was it doesnt matter being a trucker is a year round job so you can start whenever you want. Well you see here is the thing, if a young man like myself has no tractor trailer experience what so ever I would think that driving in spring and summer so that you can get some miles on your tires before you hit up the congested, ice and snow covered mountains here in the west. Luckily i have a grandfather that was a trucker for 50+ years, owned his own truck most of the time and has been around to see the trucking industry form to what it is today. I value his advice as well and others who may offer it. What do all of you think, should i start now or wait till spring?

 

I think you've got a tremendous amount to learn and are really gonna get your eyes opened in short order. If you choose one of the diploma mills (ie Werner, Swift, Covenant etc...) there will be no positives in your trucking experience.

 

not to sound rude or anything but i have been doing my research for a while now, as i have not had the means to obtain my CDL till now due to reasons no one needs to know. but i have understood and do fully understand now what i would be getting into if i drove for one of the mill companies. my eyes are open and have been for a while. but i also understand that you have to start at the bottom and work your way up, it is like that anywhere you go you arent going to have anything handed to you on a silver platter. i was in the military for 5 years, so the bottom of the barrel is where i started i worked my way up and now i have to do that same again. please dont assume that i have no idea what i am getting into because maybe someone else doesnt but i do. driving is what i love, i love the lifestyle of a trucker and i know exactly what to expect when driving for a #### company. you worked you way out of the bottom then either jumped ship or stayed with it. either way i look at it let us that are getting into this from the start have somewhat of a chance rather than bad mouth the entire industry or a few companies. if those of us noobs jump ship then so be it but dont spoil the experience for the rest of us just because of your bad experience with a couple companies.

 

I have always told drivers that start out driving in the spring, When the winter comes around if you do not feel comfortable in the truck go to your saftey department and tell them that you have never drove in the winter and would like to go out with a trainer for a few weeks.

Nothing against Werner but if it was me I would think about another company, One reason only they have paperless logs and there is very few companies that do this. You really need to know how to do a log book.

 

GPGTP, For me, I first started out in the fall, believe it or not! It wasn't that bad dealing with snow and ice. Been driving for 6 years, and have never had an accident yet. I would start whenever you feel most comfortable! Right now is not a bad time to start at all. It also would depend on your finances and how badly you need to get to working. I had to start with one of those so-called "mill companies" due to financial constraints, and it hasn't hurt me any. I just tried my best, and gave it my all, and haven't done too bad so far. Do what you think is best for YOU. And when you get the training and all, just give it your best!! Good luck!

 

Realistically, there really is no optimum time to begin your training, career (or whatever). It generally all works out the same. Granted, there are times when freight is slower than other times but again, for a beginner it all works out about the same.
With regard to my earlier post; Yes, I have indeed paid my dues and started with some much less than desirable companies that did leave a bad taste in my mouth. Fortunately, sticking with it, I finally found a job with a very good LTL carrier where I earn an above average living and am home everyday. I still support the belief that you are going to have a very difficult time finding a good fit with a large TL carrier. At best, they are a place to start and I'll leave it at that.

 

i agree with you that any time is as good as any to start your trucking career. werner isnt my only choice as far as a company to start out with and that is all the one i choose will be is a start for my career to get my 1 year driving experience as i have a company already in line to drive for they are just waiting for my 1 year. i will admit though that werner is one of the top on my list as i am the one of many that will need the help through a school and i am limited by the companies that will take me as for where i live.

 

My suggestion would talk to Crete, CFI, and even Schneider before you settle with Werner. They don't seem to have as bad a rap as Werner, Swift, or even CRST for that matter...

 

my only problem is that only certain companies are hiring out of my area. some i cant get on with, like scheider for example i would love to drive for them but i cant.

 

You should check into local truck driving schools in your area . A lot of them have programs for that will pay all if not most of the cost for veterans. When I went though roadmasters there were 2 students that where getting all of the school paid for by a government program for veterans . I think all they had to pay for was the physical and drug test .