187 More Days Until I Become a Trucker (Few Questions)

ok why is not the correct answer it says I only care about truck driveing not really working for you.

try hi my name is.... I have heard this is a good company to work for and I am willing to to do whatever i can to be apart of the team.

persistant stop by every 3 days keep your intent and your face fresh become a face not just another application. be genuine if you don't want the job don't take it If you get the job DO THE JOB. then when time comes give notice you are leaveing to go to school.

 

While you're waiting, join the National Guard. Best job reference EVER for a driving job. Go through military driver training, then let Uncle Sam pay for your civilian driving school. There are good jobs waiting for reservists.

 

yes driveing a fuel truck while under mortar fire is great experince. seriously after that an alley dock should be a piece of cake.

the millitary is a good way to go. looking back i wish i had when i was your age.

 

I'd like to second that. This is not the first time I have noticed Lantern making posts that were something you would expect to see from a much more experienced, wiser and older driver.

I predict great things in his future. To the OP listen to Lantern.

 

One get on payroll job history is 50% of the hiring process the other is criminal and driving background.

2. Get your CDL your problem is going to be that unless you have a perfect work and driving history most company's will not look at you until your 23. I know Werner will hire under 23 but as i saide you need to have a good history....

 

if family reasons is why it is not an option the why do you think driveing will be? unless you work construction or some other local thing? They will want experience OTR.

Maybe try a construction job that has dump trucks or mixers.get some experince running a dozzer or fork lift

 

Think about and research your job choices. Just because a family member drove for a company doesn't make it right for you. If it was some years ago, a lot of changes have come around and many companies don't resemble what they once were. I wouldn't work for CRE if I was homeless and they were the only job offer I had.

You aren't likely to get a job by filing out online applications, making phone calls and mailing resumes. You need to be going and selling yourself in person. I always do the in person thing. It will get you a job when all else fails.

Job history is important in any job. In trucking, regulations mandate the collection of 10 years of employment history for drivers and 3 years for trainees. When I was your age I had 4 years of employment history. I'm not bragging because I would have been wiser to stay in school. But which 20 year-old do you think an employer is more likely to hire? The one with four years of steady employment history or the one that appears to be adrift at sea without a rudder?

I hope you take this right as I do not mean to offend you, but you can't wait around for life to happen. If I were the employer, I'd find someone I knew would work based on their employment history.

Read the "good companies" and "bad companies" section on this forum and get an idea of what company you want to work for and what kind of trailer you want to pull. Don't just go to school and then try to figure out where to go.

You need to look at your driving record and criminal record. Many don't take this into consideration and find out they can't get a job after school. The school likely won't mention this because they want your money.

I don't know your financial situation. Don't take training from a company if you can afford it or get it with financial aid. You will be their slave for a year or two. If you leave they will trash you DAC and credit record.

Just know that training and trucking company recruiters will do nothing but lie to you. They will let you talk about what you want and then tell you what you want to hear. Trucking is about moving freight to make money for the company. Your home time, family, paycheck and everything else comes second.

It is not like any other job. Local is usually backbreaking delivery work 10 - 15 hours a day, 6 days a week. Regional is lots of loading and unloading, fewer miles than OTR and not as hard as local but will wear on you. OTR is out 3 - 5 weeks with 3 - 4 days home, less manual labor and more miles.

You'll have to pay your dues before you get the gravy job. Weekends off, if you are lucky enough to get something like that starting out, may be home Thursday afternoon and leave Saturday night or home Friday night and leave Sunday afternoon. Loads deliver on Monday early and you leave in time to get them there. Often your home time will be in the middle of the week.

Regardless of your driving choice, after school you will go through company training. This can be three months with no home time. The first month is usually $400 a week and the other two months are $500-550 a week. Some pay less. One company pays 12 CPM for training.

This isn't meant to be negative, just to offer the reality that you won't get from those that sell the training or job to you. I love driving a truck. It can afford you with an above average income in an economy with few choices. The early months up to the first year will test what you're made of. Get a year in and more doors open. If you job-hop looking for something better your options will become quite limited. Good luck!

 

Are you really sure you wanna go into trucking? It is not the same like it was 10-20 years ago. Hope you are doing your research about this industry. It has really gone downhill. You sure you don't want to choose another career?