Starting out for rookies

Be careful what you wish for! The trucking industry is not something it seems to be. If the romance of driving a big rig fasinates you, by one and just drive it. Many people get into the drivers seat just becuse they want or need a job. But that alone is not a good reason to get behind the wheel. It may seems like an easy job but nothing could be further from the truth! There is much more to the job than just driving. Just going in a straight line down the road can be deadly. But add to that being discruntled from not making any money because some dispatcher misdirected you or you get back charged for every little thing and you become Maniac driving 40 tons of mass. My advice is start small and drive for a small local company until you get more than your feet wet and have the driving part down to an art.

 

Having problems with the Mrs. At first we both wanted this job, money short, etc., but it really has not improved. One week I get a resonable paycheck, the next it reallhy stinks. There is no consistency, this causes more stress, not to mention the groceries I have to lug around to eat, and the outright fact the company I work for, werner seems to go out of their way to make life extemely hard on us newbies. After all that, here is a couple questions. When does it get better. Dopes this lifestyle ever get easier and lastly, can anyone with a sane sense tell me why driving is fun, but working for this company really sucks.

 

Had I not been in a mental hospital, lost $100,000 in the bank, been hated and despised by my spouse (and now live with a couple 20 years younger than me), seen my kid get a felony for selling drugs, and had employment problems for 4 years, and now have to live on medication due to clinical major depression (which I'd never had before), I would concur how tough you have it.

Now Friend, I don't say this to put you down, but to prove I can talk... I've been there. No, it is definitely not easy, in fact I become overwhelmed, even tried to kill myself. All because of a job. All because my identity was tied to a job.

I write this to remind you to put things in perspective, it could be much worse. You could be paralyzed, have cancer, lose an arm or a leg.

Here's what I learned to do, and don't miss this lesson that took me 4 years to learn... Choose to be thankful each morning. Make a conscious decision (not a feeling), be sincere and thank God for the good things you do have, for the job you have, while literally millions are unemployed for 6 months to 2 years. No doubt you know we are in a depression, not a recession (as politicians continue their lies).

Two days ago, I met two guys asking for money at the 99 cent store. I don't give any more than others, I give to my church so they can wisely spend the money. However I still felt for this guy and questioned him. I doubted his 'sincerity', figured he just wanted money to drink, right?

Gary had worked all his life in construction, was 52, and now on the street for 3 weeks, sleeping on a park bench. He told me he earned great money, lived well, did 'whatever I wanted', and did not save any money.

Yes, it was hard not to judge him, it's so easy to label people into groups... but because of my past troubles, having 'had it all' and lost it all, it was much easier to appreciate his problems, and to be thankful for the job I finally landed after 6 months of unemployment.

The more I talked to Gary, the more I realized, he was articulate and intelligent. I realized his humanity more, and at one point I told him God hates liars, as I gave him $5 for the pizza they said they wanted to buy, and made him promise he would not buy alcohol (that's the most control I could have over him).

Gary also told me about the people he was with, how they worked together to watch over a man with dementia who crapped his pants (and the others would help him get cleaned up).

Friend, don't get insulted, that's not my goal. When you get up each day and repeat the honest statement, "God, thank you for my job, my spouse, food, clothing and shelter", you'll find your job will be easier, just as you desire.

Merry Christ-mas
Rob

 

OK so your paychecks are not consitent week after week. You may not be getting your paper work in before the cut off so one week it is good the next poor. Try to keep peace and love with the wife. My friend as I tell ALL of my students.... This job is not will not and could never be a replacment for your loving spouse. If this job will jeperdize that relationship you need to ask yourself.. Is this job worth losing the one I love?? I say BLEEP the job. I'll find somthing else if itcame down to that point. Hope that helps you figure it out. as for werner... I don't even want to start telling you the stories I've heard from their drivers and office personel. Be Safe, Be Good, Be Gone.

 

Times can be hard at first but if you two can survive for just one year you'll have opportunities like you've never had before. This market will improve and you'll be past your newbee status. Hang in there if you can. God bless.

 

i got a question. Im from greensburg indiana and looking into driving a semi but i don't have any exp. Ive been told by some other truckers that if you get trained by a school, that counts for a little bit of exp. Do employers look at being trained by a school experience.

 

Hey rubberduck (gee were didja hear that name?) Anyways take it from a trianer. The companies do hire from school. No, most companys do not consider that "experience" they consider that enough to get you your CDL and nothing more. Your real experiece comes when trainers such as myself get you behind the wheel of one of our trucks and teach you the real world of trucking. You can learn how to shift in class rooms. You can learn the rules/laws/regulations in a class room. You can learn all the "what if's" in a class room. But let me tell you rubberduky until you can show me the brains and talent that it takes to drive an 18+ wheeler you will not have experience. I take people all ages and backgrounds out on the same runs I do everyday and show and teach them everything I do AND WHY I do them that way. some can do, They are the special ones that have it. A lot see what it really is like... and they don't make it. Please Please Pick a repitable school and then ask a GOOD repitable company to teach you the real thing out on the road. I hope I did'nt scare you off. But Buddy as I tell all my students.. THIS IS NOT A GAME OUT HERE! THIS IS REAL LIFE AND IF YOU ____ UP, SOMBODY IS GOING TO GET HURT OR POSSSIBLY DIE! Please keep me advised.

 

Not true . There are tens of thousands of drivers with 5 or more years experience out of work . There are far less drivers giving up jobs to allow anyone to move up . With the market at a 20 year low it will take a long time to recover . It hasn't hit bottom yet .

 

i also myself juss garduated any help telling me or can and will hire me otr would be great and thank you very much i am lookin for anything please leave post and let me know

 

I recently recived my CDL class A. I also have lot of seatbelt tickets and 2 accidents on my abstrack. What if anything can i do to find a job? Where can i start?