Probably been asked a million times

ill keep you posted. i know they have automatics but im hoping the training has standards. i hate restrictions.

 

Nick, here's a little secret about the trucking industry: those age and experience and pet requirements--along with many of the other policies--are flexible. They can often be waived and lots of times they are for the right applicant. One of the reasons companies post those requirements is to weed out a lot of the riff-raff drivers who they hope will see those requirements and be persuaded not to apply. If you find a company you'd really like to drive for, go ahead and fill out an app even if you don't meet their posted requirements. The very next day, go down to the company terminal and make sure to dress for the occasion. You don't have to wear a suit, though you could, but a tucked-in shirt with a collar and sleeves and some decent pants and shoes will definitely make a good impression. Ask to speak to the terminal manager, because that's who hires the drivers, and make your case to them about why you'd like to drive for them and more importantly, why you could and would be an asset to their operation. Going that extra mile and showing up in person demonstrates initiative, determination, and follow-through, and I've seen more than a few underqualified drivers get hired this way. It does work. Truck drivers are a dime a dozen, and a lot of them aren't even worth a nickel, but a good driver is worth their weight in gold, so when you put in the extra effort to show up at a company in person, they're going to assume you'll probably put that same effort into driving, too.

Lots of companies and managers even prefer hiring rookie drivers because a new driver hasn't had a chance to develop a bunch of bad habits yet and the company can train them to do things the right way from the very beginning.

I do have some bad news, though. Tanker companies, both food grade and chemical, often ban pets outright and will not make exceptions because the plants they deliver to and pick up from do not allow pets inside their facilities. Many of those plants don't even allow passengers and will make them wait outside the gate while the truck is on the property.

If I were you, I'd look for companies that run I-10 as one of their primary freight lanes, because that would allow you to get home reliably. Pay attention to the trucks you see when you're on the interstate, or grab some snacks and find a spot with a view of I-10 and/or a truckstop and pretty soon you'll notice some companies more often than others.

 

Quoted for truth. Generally the ones I talk to who think they are great are the issue. The ones who just want to come in and do their job to the best of their ability are the ones who do the best, stick round the longest, and make the most money.

Back when I was expediting in a van, I took my wife with me on a trip to CA. I figured there would be some extra time built in, so I figured I could take her to the coast to goof around for a couple days. As I thought, I caught a load out of the San Pedro area two days later, so I could chill with her at Marina Del Rey and Venice during the middle of an August heat wave (90s in LA and Long Beach, but 60s and 70s at MDR and Venice with the marine layer). We go to the facility that was attached to one of the refineries, and she had to get out and sit on a bench while I was inside. Even worse, the load wasn't ready, so I went back to the gate and had her relax in the van (she was pregnant at the time) until I got called back in to pick it up a few hours later. She was stunned to find out that she couldn't even be inside the van in the facility.