Starting Out

I would say study and keep your eyes on the prize (you ultimate goal). That the garbage and go! Work hard and show you deserve and want to be there. Thats how I'm going into this new career. I'm trying not to get hung up on all the negative stuff about companies, but trying to find one where I will be appreciated and rewarded for all of my hard work.

 

Besides the obvious (being drug free) bring documentation for any health issues, any extended periods of unemployment (necessary since you've been unemployed), anything that might turn up in any search on either of you. Don't offer the documentation unless asked. Check out your 10 year DMV record, make sure it's clean or be ready to explain anything that turns up.

Make sure your blood blood pressure is fine, even when nervous.

You never know what they will get you on. The new doc at the local doc-in-the box gave my wife a 3 month and made her get a letter from her doctor about a scar. She's had the scar for her last 5 DOT physicals and this doc decided she was lying about the nature of the surgery, she wasn't. (She doesn't even use her CDL, she just keeps it as a backup.)

 

Yes, there is negative stuff about companies, but I hope you consider the negative stuff about "the job". Trucking is not for everybody, especially OTR with many of today's mega-carriers. Please make sure you've exhausted all other employment options before going the "trucker" route. The last think you want to do is become a "trucker" out of desperation because that will only take a bad situation and make it worse. There is a HUGE lifestyle difference between OTR and local and regional driving jobs and each has it's unique reasonable expectations and requirements. Be sure you land where you want to. If you want local/regional but end up being pushed into OTR, you will probably fail before landing the local/regional gig. It's not an indictment of you or your wife, it is a reality of the job.

A man/wife couple who are fit for each other and who are fit for the rigors of long-term OTR/team trucking can make a lot of money, quick IF they can get on with a company that has ample, quality team freight. But if one is not quite up to the challenge and demands, the team will fail. Team trucking is an awful life if you're not both really "into it".