Getting my CDL soon, what's this REALLY like?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by New_trucking12, Apr 29, 2025 at 9:48 PM.

  1. LoneRanger

    LoneRanger Road Train Member

    3,665
    9,451
    Jun 3, 2018
    0
    If your young go to trade school. Trucking isn’t going to improve and be able to sustain a home like it once was. Yes it’s possible but you’re going to miss out on everything.
     
    Someguywithquestions Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. New_trucking12

    New_trucking12 Bobtail Member

    17
    4
    Tuesday
    0
    So the money isn't there anymore? I really don't mind the personal life, sacrifices are sacrifices for a reason, birthdays, anniversaries, crying in the truck after each shift, that doesn't really mean much to me. I just need to know, does the money make it make sense, does your employer make it easy for you to do your job and can you do it efficiently? I drive and also do labor aspects in my line of work, 4-5 hours of sleep a day, triple shifts and driving after being awake 24 hours, OTR or local, being forced to take a break would be night and day for me.
     
  4. New_trucking12

    New_trucking12 Bobtail Member

    17
    4
    Tuesday
    0
    Gotcha, so if you make it there too early, you'll be sent away, seems like you could just sort of wait outside and then go into the yard no? Or is it the type of thing where you make it there just by the end of your driving hours and now you're stuck having to wait for your hours to reset?
     
  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    73,359
    164,936
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Danny Herman Trucking - Welcome to DHT
    This is a coast-to-coast dry van company with two facilities in California.
    • We accept trucking school graduates 23 years of age and older for our training program, no experience necessary.
    Most freight lanes are South of Interstate-40. Not all, but most.
    [​IMG]
    Here's a map of the terminals. As you can see, one terminal in Fontana and a drop yard about halfway up the state.
    [​IMG]
     
  6. New_trucking12

    New_trucking12 Bobtail Member

    17
    4
    Tuesday
    0
    Thanks for all the links. So with your 18 years of experience, what would you do differently, what type of company would you rather work for - what endorsement is best to have and stick with? Do you have to contact dispatch often, and when you do what do you expect from them?
     
  7. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

    12,901
    84,730
    Mar 19, 2014
    Arkansas
    0
    dunno about reefer places, most tankers or dry bulk will let you stay overnight. Not as strict on appointments.
    Most places you can’t wait outside, you’ll be in the street.
     
  8. New_trucking12

    New_trucking12 Bobtail Member

    17
    4
    Tuesday
    0
    That's about what I've seen, tons of trucks just parked out in the street waiting for their turn in a one dock warehouse. So what would you suggest as the best truck to look for, tanker/dry/flat/ reefer? I'm trying to get as much info as I can before I zero in on something that would make the most sense to me. It doesn't have to be the best paid job, just the most stable and most efficient, I really appreciate all the info thank you!
     
  9. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    73,359
    164,936
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Home - Jones Brothers Trucking
    We are a flatbed shipping company located in Missoula, Montana and Muncie, Indiana where we operate as an irregular route, 48 state, and Canadian flatbed carrier.
    [​IMG]
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.