What is the best way to start?

There isn't a "one size fits all" answer. You have to figure out what your needs are, and what you need to get out of it. You can make good money in the oil fields. If you have a family, it's probably not a very attractive option, though. Not that OTR would be, either.
What is your ultimate aim? Do you want to make a career out of the oil fields or OTR, or do you want to get some time in to where you can land a local job later on?
The question as is would be a bit too vague for anyone to give a definitive answer based on sound judgment.

 

Best place to start is likely a truck driving school.

After that, or better still during that, get out there and beat down the doors of some trucking companies. Have your resume in hand, be prepared to fill out applications and get some eyeball time with company HR people.

The actual type of driving you get into is not nearly as important as the quality of the company you hire on with.

 

It seems you are halfway there. Having the right attitude is a major key to success but as stated above, it isn't a one size fits all type of answer. Are you looking for company sponsored training, are you willing to pay for it yourself? That right there is a key question on what your options will be starting out.

 

heres my advice:

#1 Do as much research on this industry as you can (on this forum)

#2 If you still wanna give trucking a shot, find the best school you can (community colleges always offer the best training at the lowest price) Look for as many hours as you can find in a school, and make sure (by calling trucking company recruiters) that lots of companys hire from that school. Dont listen to the people that say all schools are the same, you have to pay for school so get as much out of your money as you can.

#3 Get all the Endorsments and a passport.

#4 Find a dry van or Reefer carrier that meets as many needs of yours as you can find, and get AT LEAST a year in with them, if you can get 2-3 even better. If at all possible make sure they use paper logs, and have Manual Transmissions (dont shoot yourself in the foot for a job later on) once you get some real experiance then you can be lazy with an auto/e-logs.





American Trucker

 

Kbr in iraq and afganistan pays $250,000/year $100,000 tax free






American Trucker

 

If you can afford it, then pay for your own schooling. Don't let a company own you so to speak. I did the company sponsored training and I feel it hindered the amount of money I could make to start and I actually had to pass on a better job offer that would have taken me after 6 months OTR experience because I had to fulfill my contract. I don't want to sound like I am not grateful for having the company pay my training, because I wouldn't be a trucker without it, I am just saying if the option is there to do it yourself...do it.

 

Um-hmmmmm. Ever hear the term "stop and smell the roses?" Now I'm not bashing you here, but I can tell you that you can work yourself into an early grave. Then your retirement won't do you a #### bit of good.

I'm not saying you shouldn't be a hard worker. Or a willing worker. But I am saying that most people, (though not all by any means,) need some time to unwind and recharge.

The idea is to be a bit more rounded as a human being. (And I DON'T need anywise cracks from anybody about how freaking ROUND I am. . .)