Starting out for rookies

Im starting my first day at BTC today.....

 

I got my license last January and I have been driving locally since July. A local freight outfit gave me a chance and I am getting my experience. It wasn't easy but it can happen if you put enough of your resumes out there someone will give you a shot.

Don't expect to get paid all that great, don't expect to have the best equipment, but do keep a positive attitude and know that you are green. Don't be ####y but be confident when you are on the road. There's a fine line. You learn new stuff everyday whether you realize it or not. It's a lot of fun.

I'm just posting this to give others hope that just got their license and want to stay local. Like I said before, it's not easy to find the local job with no experience but it can be done. The guy that hired me liked that I had my CDL-B before and had some experience with trucks in general.

I spoke to a driver for Bozzuto's food distribution here in CT and he said that they actually prefer to hire recent cdl grads because they get a kickback from the government for hiring the guys that just went through school. He said they train you until you are ready to go and then you are on your own.

 

Thanks for those pointers on finding a gig when you got little or no experience.

 

I don't know if this has been asked but do you have to take a skills test for class A and one for p2 thanks

 

you can also ck into driving for co. like swift, jb Hunt ect alot of them will put a grad in a truck with a trainner. you go out with a trainner for 5 or 6 wks and get hands on driving with a trainner. this will give you a tast of what you can expect in the trucking world. this is a good way to get your foot in the door. i had a hard time finding a job after cdl school bc I live in Northern Michigan (gaylord MI) I started out with swift went with a trainner for 4 wks got pd $400 a wk for tranning, I finished tranning and was asg to my own truck. I drove for swift for about 6 mo and left to drive for Werner, I still drive for werner now.

 

how do you like the "Blue Screw?" 6months is not really good but then again you went to a company that is about the same.(I pass both swift and werner trucks all the time) FYI JB Hunt doesn't hire new drivers anymore. Good luck with your driving career.

 

Just had to say thanks for the tips for rookies, and hope you have a merry Christmas this season. Drive safe and be kind to a stranger. For in doing so many have unknowingly entertained angels. God bless.

 

unless JB hunt changed back to there old ways they no longer train or hire new drivers.just wondering if you like working werner. I was told there nick name is "the blue screw"

 

I am looking into hauling Hotshot. Ive done my fair share of home work about it the past couple of years. I currently need some advice on a truck to use. I currently have a ram 2500. i know its best to use atleast a 3500 but i dnt have the credit for a different truck yet. ive seen plenty of 3/4 ton trucks hauling hotshot. Any advise will be helpful. Thanks.

 

Hey All
When you guys and gals start out in this industry...go slow..Learn what life is like out here on the Road....Ask yourself if this is the Lifestyle you honestly want...Away from Home and Family...Driving in all types of weather and traffic conditions...The D.O.T..Long Nites on Empty Highways....but the good is you can earn a good paycheck and possibly get into owning your own truck and trailer..Dont let a Dispatcher itimidate you into doing anything that you feel is either unsafe or illegal..remember they go home at nite and you dont if your OTR...Ask questions when you go to trucking schools...you wont look stupid for asking....when you get hired by a company and they assign you a trainer ask them about your trainer..and you will see what he or she is like just by looking in their truck...if it looks like a nuke bomb hit it request a different trainer and dont be afraid to tell them you feel uncomfortable...when you do get out there on your own...Dont get stupid...Dont buy the biggest radio with your first paycheck or something you really dont need...get a Truckers Road Atlas...A good set of mechanic tools...a first aid kit..a GPS is good and get a cobra 29 radio to start with...but most of all dont drive over your head and get into a situation that could cost you and possibly a family their life...Be smart Be Safe..Arrive Alive!!!..No load is worth yours or anyone elses life no matter what your dispatcher says...