Starting out for rookies

To all the new drivers and drivers just out of trucking school. You will probably have to do some otr to gain the experience. It will definately serve you well in the long run. All the doors that seem to be slamming shut right now, will open up with that experience. You'll be holding the cards with that experience. You'll be able to kinda pick and choose which opportunity suits your needs, ie, hometime, regional, pay, etc.
Trust me, you may have to pay a little now, but it will pay off bigtime later down the road. baby steps. Don't look too far down the road. Look a couple months at a time and before you kmow it, you'll have miles and experience under your belt and you'll have companies knocking down your door to get you on board. Good Luck and keep the shiny side up

 

How did you decide on Roehl, USA Trucking and Comcar for your short list, and what was it about Roehl that made it your final choice? What other companies did you consider? I'm not being critical, just curious.

 

Thank you so much for this post. It's nice to hear something positive. I am starting school March 1st and just like you said, I've committed to a year of getting my experience OTR. I just know that after that things will really open up for me once I do that. Thanks again!!

 

Feeling Unappreciated??








The next time you feel that nobody loves you,







no one cares, or that no one ever notices you,







think of this guy:

Things Got Ya Down? Well Then, Consider These . . ..

In a hospital's Intensive Care Unit, patients always died in the same bed, on Sunday morning, at about 11:00 am, regardless of their medical condition. This puzzled the doctors and some even thought it had something to do with the super natural..

No one could solve the mystery as to why the deaths occurred around 11:00 AM Sunday, so a worldwide team of experts was assembled to investigate the cause of the incidents. The next Sunday morning, a few minutes before 11:00 AM all of the doctors and nurses nervously waited outside the ward to see for themselves what the terrible phenomenon was all about. Some were holding wooden crosses, prayer books, and other holy objects to ward off the evil spirits. Just when the clock struck 11:00, Pookie Johnson , the part-time Sunday sweeper, entered the ward and unplugged the life support system so he could use the vacuum cleaner.

Still Having a Bad Day?

The average cost of rehabilitating a seal after the Exxon Valdez Oil spill in Al aska was $80,000.00. At a special ceremony, two of the most expensively saved animals were being released back into the wild amid cheers and applause from onlookers. A minute later, in full view, a killer whale ate them both. ​

Still think you are having a Bad Day?

A woman came home to find her husband in the kitchen shaking frantically, almost in a dancing frenzy, with some kind of wire running from his waist towards the electric kettle. Intending to jolt him away from the deadly current, she whacked him with a handy plank of wood, breaking his arm in two places. Up to that moment, he had been happily listening to his Walkman. ​

Are Ya OK Now? - No?

Two animal rights defenders were protesting the cruelty ​

of sending pigs to a slaughterhouse in Bonn , Germany . Suddenly, all two thousand pigs broke loose and escaped through a broken fence, stampeding madly. The two helpless protesters were trampled to death. ​

What? STILL having a Bad Day?

Iraqi terrorist Khay Rahnajet didn't pay enough postage on a letter bomb. It came back with 'Return to Sender' stamped on it. Forgetting it was the bomb; he opened it and was blown to bits. God is good! ​

There now, Feeling Better?


​

 

now i like that and it made me laugh :smt023

 

Well I picked Roehl I felt that after all I have read on line they seemed to have less complaints. I also took an approach that the least you see complaints the better it should be its almost like driving down the road and seeing broken down cars you could buy any car or just pick the one that you think has less problems say Ford Chevy or Toyota what do you think would best to drive long term.
I also wanted to get miles under my belt and from what I understand I would have a better chance to get this from them. But after I made my choice and applied for the job the same people that were talking highly of them turned around and started talking smack about them so that is why I said I hope I made the right decision.
I don't mind working for low money at first because I know I will be able to build my OTR experience up and that will turn the table around at some point.
I also feel being a owner operator at some point would be a realistic goal to achieve with in a few years.
I also don't think driving local routs or working with in a your own state would benefit someone that just got his CDL but I may be wrong about that to.
I guess when I am on the road I will be able to make a decision who is running long hauls and what trucks are up to par and also what transport company would take care of there drivers with the least number of hassles.
Just my opinion from a new driver.
if you have any thing I could base my decision about whom to pick please let me know.
One other thing we had a few companies show up at class but after getting out of school it seamed like they were not interested in new graduates so I had to contact about 40 companies and only one I felt that showed me a little more respect.

 

I would say that you made a good decision based on your search! I myself am in the same situation you are. I have 1 week of school left and have also searched these threads and talked to sooooo many companys trying to make sure my decision is the best for ME. I looked into Roehl and I liked what I saw. But when it came down to it, Stevens Transport was my final decision. I purchased my plane ticket last night. (Refundable) I to was looking for someone I could get the experiance with and then after a year or so make a move to a better position be it with them or someone else. I would like to think I could stay with 1 company for years to come, but I will make that decision in time.

Congrats on your decision and good luck in your new career and hope your happy with your choice!

 

Hi guys, don't let anyone tell you that there are no opportunities out there for new drivers. And for goodness' sake don't stop knocking on doors. Start local and talk to every outfit in town, IN PERSON. Even if they have to tell you no (to your face, no less!) You WILL come away with valuable information and contacts for the future. I have been driving now for a year and nine months. My first job was delivering produce locally (300 mile radius) for $12.50/hr. I did that for 10 months. Money was tight, but I was home every night. That could mean hauling scrap metal or cowhides or whatever where you are! But, then Con Way freight gave me a shot in the LTL biz. Through the summer I was bringing home $1000 checks each week. Not a bad raise. They are a good company to work for, and they also have an apprenticeship program to get guys their CDL if you're interested check them out. Anyway, I did that for almost 10 months also before I decided that dock work isn't my thing. I am now pulling steel on flatbed for about the same money and bennies, also local. Now, I don't recommend to anyone to skip in and out of jobs every 10 months, in fact I had initially committed myself to no less than a year when I started each of these jobs including my current one, it goes against my grain but I've done it and it's done. Employers don't look too kindly on a resume that looks like a phone book. My point is this, bide your time, make whatever sacrifices you have to and still support the family, and take advantage of every opportunity that will move your future career forward. The guy who doesn't quit WILL succeed in the long run, and you won't even need the ever benevolent government to bail you out. Continued good fortune to you all and God bless you.

Jason (gunsmoke kid) Phelps

 

Thank you Jason..very encouraging!!

 

Verry good post. I am a Police Officer and have been for 20 years, started driving a semi at 13 on farm doing short run to elevator. My first real trucking job told me "No" as I have never backed into a dock. I told them that I had to back a dump trailer around bens and unload from a shoot into an auger. I was presistant and told them if they let me take a road test and I would go or back any place they wanted me. If unable I woud not bother them again. I went to work the day after the test and have been driving full time 18 to 21 and casual or my own trucks ever sence. I hated the company but worked there for 18 months until I got on with anothe company never job hop suck it up and work no one wants some one that has worked for everyone in town.