Information on a couple things

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Devi343, Nov 2, 2020.

  1. Devi343

    Devi343 Bobtail Member

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    Hey everyone so after must consideration I decided to finally pull the trigger and start my trucking career. My family is supportive and my my baby mama doesn’t care. My 6 year old daughter of course doesn’t want me too after I explained the OTR the first year and that will undoubtedly be the worst part is being away from her but it’s not forever. Thanks to technology I can call and FaceTime her everyday and so it won’t be as bad as it use to be in the old days when drivers had to call home from phone booths. My plan is to get the experience most likely from stevens since they are closest and get a job locally running a tanker or whatever is hiring so I can be home daily.

    Now onto the reason for this post, do most companies these days have a front facing camera for traffic? If not I will buy one because people are idiots on the road. Do companies already have gear in the truck like a hazard vest and those road triangle things and a first aid kit? I’m trying to decide what I need to bring with me. Which brings me to my next question what do you all recommend I bring as far as necessary and non necessary items? I did read the thread on recommended items but want a more personal response. Do I have to buy my own truck lock to secure loads? Also do you all have regular access to WiFi. I would imagine not unless your in a big truck stop or something so what is you all’s solution to that? Thanks in advance.
     
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  3. Devi343

    Devi343 Bobtail Member

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    Oh and should I buy a gps? I heard that most companies don’t allow you to use third party gps they want you using theirs.
     
  4. Anywhichwaybutloose

    Anywhichwaybutloose Light Load Member

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    See if there is a local outfit that will train.
     
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  5. flybynight12

    flybynight12 Medium Load Member

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    Go do food service
     
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  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    No luck with R. E. West Transportation?
     
  7. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    Find a local LTL place.

    A lot of them are union and they'll teach you how to drive. You won't owe anybody any money.

    You may or may not have to work on the dock a little bit but you have a great job and you'll be home every night to see your daughter.

    Stay away from the megas.
     
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  8. Devi343

    Devi343 Bobtail Member

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    I called them and was not terribly impressed with the recruiter or incentives. Not to mention they want me to know how to drive a manual truck in case I have to drive one of their 10 speeds and they want me to unload water heaters. The training was remarkably short which might sound good to others but for me it’s not as I have zero experience. 2 weeks for CDL training and only on the road with an experienced driver for 3 weeks where as the other guys like stevens says no touch freight, automatics only, training 3-4 weeks and on the road training 5-6 weeks. To top it off R.E. Offers only OTR from what she told me. No local or dedicated in my area of TN which I thought was weird since they are stationed out of Ashland TN. So yeah I’m not interested in them. Thanks though.
     
  9. Devi343

    Devi343 Bobtail Member

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    Also I appreciate any help guys but if your gonna reply and tell me to do other stuff and not answer any of my questions I asked in my post please don’t reply. I don’t care what you think I should do or where to work. I just want an answer to my questions.
     
  10. flybynight12

    flybynight12 Medium Load Member

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  11. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Based on this post, and the fact you don't seem to want to learn how to drive a manual, I suggest Swift, Stevens, Werner, places like that. Grab a few pairs of flip flops, a piss bottle, and some headphones. Also start looking at local outfits that are hiring dump truck drivers, because you're gonna need a backup plan in about a month.

    That's my two cents. If you've read this far, I hope I didn't waste too much of your time.
     
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