I need some advice.

Normally I'm on your side, but that's terrible advice, I never advocate being jobless and looking for a job. Things get tense and you take ANYTHING to pay the bills piling up, usually with remorse later. Generally, one works 8-10 hours a day, that leaves 14 to look for something else. Even if someone does hire them, these folks are starting at square one, and may take a while to earn anything. Once a commitment has been signed, then I suppose, but not until that's in stone, and something they may actually enjoy, not regret because they had to take it.

 

Both companies I posted pay while in cdl school.
@Happily Retired, don't aggravate me while I'm having breakfast...

 

It's about 90-95% sunshine, rainbows and unicorns. About 5-10% of the time totally sucks, and can be extremely frustrating.

You will have plenty of time to listen to podcasts and audiobooks, and having a full queue of these to listen to will make your days just fly by.

There will be a learning period, in fact your entire first year you will be learning. But after a few months you should find a rhythm and kind of hit your groove. Once you think you have it figured out, it will change. And that will happen repeatedly.

I think it's worth it, trucking is a blast. I'm into different people's, culture, geography so it suits me well. One piece of advice I would give, don't focus on the size of your checks so much in the beginning, focus on working hard and being the best truck driver you can be. A lot of these big companies that train see inexperienced people show up all the time, many with attitudes and sense of entitlement when they don't even know what they are doing. Don't be that guy, be the guy that is respectful and gets all his loads delivered on time.

 

If you plan to attend a private or tech or community college cdl program; there's plenty of companies that will hire you upon graduation. Some want accredited cdl school grads. and some just want cdl school grads.
Here's one with very good pay and hires from accredited schools:
~
Company Driver Trucking Jobs | Crete Carrier
Pet Policy - 2 Dogs or Cats

• Starting Pay Ranges from $.64-$.70 Per Mile for OTR Drivers
• The Top 50% of Our OTR Drivers Average $1,998 per Week
• 

 

Trucking is so varied, there’s something for everyone, from coast to coast turns and home once a month, to pick up and deliveries in metro areas and home every day.

Sounds like you are running away from your current job..... I suggest you find something to run TO, or the next job will quickly become just like the last.

 

Ones thing for sure, you hate your current job. I doubt you’ll regret quitting. No matter what else you do. Trucking may just be right for you. As far as Truckstops are concerned, I try to avoid them as much as possible. Fuel, showers, Quick stop for a Fast food snack, let the Dogs out. The problems I see at some of them can ruin an otherwise great day.

 

You are going to get answers to your questions that are very opposite of each other
Simply because what one person hates. Another might love
You couldn’t pay me enough $$$$ to work in a restaurant especially something like McDonald’s but others would take that job for $15
I also wouldn’t drive a truck for $30 either unless it really catered to my personal situation such as young kids at home etc

I’ve been in management prior to driving for many years although it was my own company, that said if you hate your job you have to relive it at the same address a d desk day after day
In a truck if you’re having a bad morning it won’t be long before you’re in a new zip code with different people
I think if you try it you will find you will still have that bad day but also find that there’s more good ones than bad

 

Don't worry, if you are reasonably smart and willing to work hard you will make a lot of money OTR, some just think they are going to make $80k+ (1600+ week) on week one with no experience and IMO it doesn't work like that. The money will definitely come but you have to figure out a lot of stuff first. Once you get all the actual job entails down pat, you will need to focus on squeezing as much productivity as you can out of the HOS, and that comes with experience. To make the big $$ you have to learn how to work that clock.

For that to happen your dispatch needs confidence they can get you locked and loaded and you can handle it, safely, and getting everything delivered on time. That will come when they are confident in you. Being respectful and working hard and being on time will build their confidence in you quicker than being late frequently while complaining why arent you making the big bucks.

That's my best advice, good luck to you.

 

^^^^That right there^^^^. You don't learn this job overnight.......like any job. It really starts to come together about 1/2 way through your 2nd year. By year 3.....you should be proficient, efficient, and at the top if your game. Learn to MANAGE YOUR CLOCK.......and TRIP PLAN!! Sounds simple...... it's not. Good luck!