Entering industry soon - looking for direction/advice

I think there's a lot more educated truck drivers out there than most people assume. The accounting and supply chain knowledge will certainly help if I want to start my own company eventually too.

Solo Soul I saw your thread about getting into truck driving. Had some great responses. Sounds like we're in the same place - late 20s and looking for a change.

 

Great advice, thank you. The reason I referenced System is they seem like the best option in my region. TMC would be my top choice but they don't hire guys out of Colorado. Thought about Melton too but System would probably suit me better. System supposedly does daily out and back runs to Basalt, CO hauling drywall. That would be a good start if I was willing to do the commute. If I ended up liking OTR I'd probably try to become an o/o signed on with Landstar or Mercer.

That's what I hear from a lot of veterans of the industry though...just go get your feet wet, get the experience, and learn the necessary skills. If you excel in that you can go wherever you want. I'm preparing to make that commitment for the first couple years. Just trying to be careful about what I choose - got other things going on in life too (new home with work to be done on it and a couple trustworthy tenants living with me. They'll take good care of the house while I'm gone but I don't want to burden them by being gone for 3 weeks plus).

 

I see JFW's trucks all the time. Them and Fiore are a couple options I've thought about. I know a guy who works at Fiore so that might be an easier route to get in. I'll look into Loves. Also thought about Circle K, Offen, and a company called Selimovich who I think is based here.

 

Just like anything government related...I'm sure that takes a while.

How did you like it once you got into it? Did it pay a lot more and was it worth it?

 

I certainly agree with you. I've been leaning this way more and more. Thank you.

 

Exactly. You learn more your first few months in a job than you do in 4 years of college. Experience is everything.

 

Guys thank you for the overwhelming response. Went to bed thinking I'd get a couple responses throughout today but woke up to a 3 page thread!

Chinatown, thank you for the company references.

If any of you are in Colorado, have you heard of Aggregate Industries? It's 10 minutes from my house. It looks like they contracted with an o/o (PNST?) to do their end dump work. I see the end dumps parked there every night and driving on Hwy 83 every day. Thought that would be a great place to look into. The trucks are all newer flat top sleeper Peterbilt 389s - judging by that it seems like they probably wouldn't hire a rookie but I suppose it can't hurt to reach out.