need advice on becoming a trucker

If you find yourself unemployed in this Obama caused bad economy, then have the unemployment office print off a list of your checks. They are just trying to show where you were and how you supported yourself. You might need to bring in your 1040 for the two years you drew. Letters from someone at your church or a neighbor help also. The more information you can give them the better they feel about hiring you.

They want to tell the Feds, yes, we did a background check and we are comfortable saying he was not in Yemen taking Jihad lessons at the local Bombs-R-Us store. It is more important that they actually can prove you are telling the truth then what that truth is.

 

Here's the process you need to go through if you really want to drive truck for a living.

#1: Look at what you're wanting to do. If you have no clue, that's your first step. Are you looking to run a dedicated route and see a small amount of the country but be able to learn your route inside and out over time? Are you wanting to travel the 48 and experience everything the country has to offer? Are you looking for short runs and a lot of home time? Or is there really nothing left to go home to and you'd rather become a nomad?

#2: Look at your financial situation. Can you afford to pay for schooling up front? If you can, find one that's PTDI certified or that meets/exceeds PTDI requirements. Don't look for one that's going to run you through in 1-2 weeks and call you a trucker. That's just not the safe way to go, especially if it takes you a few times before you catch onto stuff.

If you cannot afford to pay for schooling on your own, look at what companies are offering to pay for your schooling up front in exchange for drive time with their company. Yes, people are going to yell and scream that the only ones doing this are evil mega-carriers, but honest to god, it doesn't matter too much who you start out with, it matters who you STAY with later on after you've gotten your 2 years experience. That being said, #3 is still really important...

#3: Research the companies that are out there. If you're paying your own way to school, then you have a wide open field of companies - literally hundreds that will want YOU as a driver, especially if you score really well in school. If you're having a company pay your way, research the ones willing to do so and pick out the best of the best.

Now, with that being said, most of the big carriers are very similar. You just have to go through #1 - what do YOU want? Want to take a pet along? Well, you'll most likely be saddling up with Werner, as most companies won't allow it anymore. Want a lot of miles without a lot of wait time? Look into the load/driver ratios for big companies. If you can't find the stats, ask here on the forums for what company drivers say about how busy they stay. If you hear a lot of drivers from one company saying they sit a lot, or only average 1,500 miles a week, you might want to look elsewhere. If you want a pretty truck, look at the types out there but make sure you research the company and...

#4: Be realistic in your capabilities. You're a newbie to the road, so dry freight van is going to be the safest route for you to start out. However, if you're a really active person and like working outdoors and enjoy a good challenge, you might consider flatbed. But, you also might consider the fact that flatbed can be really seasonal, so if you love it, don't expect to be doing it year 'round. If you're someone who can sleep through a nuclear holocaust, you might consider reefer loads. However, also be aware that most reefer loads are live unload - that means more wait time since you can't just drop a trailer, hook up to a new one and head down the highway.

#5: I also recommend checking to make sure the company has no forced dispatch. Forced dispatch means you go where they tell you with what load they assign you - no option to decline. If you get an NYC load and you never want to see inside that concrete jungle (and it's bad, honest) you can't say "no thanks." Newbies should never cross the city limits of NYC - ever. Leave that to the really experienced and insane.

#6: Plan everything. How are you going to set up your truck when you get one? How are you going to keep it clean inside so you don't live like an animal? What are you going to eat? Are you going to burn up $20-30 a day on eating out? Are you going to research non-perishable foods, see what tastes good uncooked and stock up your truck? How are you going to work out while you're driving? How about a flexible sleep schedule? Are you going to prefer to drive days or nights? Do you know the benefits and risks for both? If you run nights, how are you going to make that 7am delivery time?

Plan, plan plan and then when you're sure you have it all under control, go over it one more time to be sure.

#7: Last but not least, check your attitude at the door. The number one thing every company, every dispatcher, every trainer and every school has to deal with is "super trucker" tough guys who know everything because they've watched "Convoy" a dozen times. So if you want to get someone's attention in this industry and have them see you as something other than "just another dumb driver" then give them an agreeable personality, don't fly off the handle over every little thing, realize that not every load (or even most) will be the Golden Coast cruises you want and that you won't always turn 3,000 miles in a week (if ever). Your'e going to have slow weeks. Things happen. For no fault of your own, your dispatcher or your load planner, you may run into dead weeks where you're only hitting 1,000 miles. It happens. Suck it up, put on a grin, enjoy life where ever you are at the time and be ready to rock n' roll when the freight picks up.

After school, you'll get the real education. No company is going to turn you loose from school straight into your very own truck. You're going to go with a trainer who's going to show you the ropes and evaluate your skills. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS MAN OR WOMAN'S KNOWLEDGE. They have been doing this a lot longer than you have and they may know quite a few tips and tricks that will save you many tears in the future. LISTEN, LEARN and ASK QUESTIONS if they're not forthcoming with the knowledge. I can't stress that enough. They are your Yoda.

Any other tips I'm missing here drivers?

 

Being a driver is all about planning. Planning your route, planning your schedule, planning for road hazards and delays...planning your time home so you can get the most out of it.

So it only makes sense that before you learn to become a driver, you need to learn how to plan. And the only way to do that is exactly what you said: RESEARCH AND ASK QUESTIONS. I'd also suggest reading the newbie forum's docked posts...they are chock full of useful information.

 

I applied and was denied today because of the unemployment gap. I would have got in if had I been working at McDonalds the last 3 years. They want work history, nothing else matters.

 

If your a veteran over 35 years of age you qualify for the VRAP program. Look it up in ebenefits.com

 

Like Woody stated, you will need a letter from a family member or friend stating what and when you were doing during your times of unemployment or undocumented employment. 1099's are good if you can provide them. Even something from your accountant if possible. Once you have the letter written up you will need to get it notarized. This is more of a federal thing than company policy. They good ol' government of this fine free country wants to what you have been up to, like forming a cult, starting your own religion, or just plain good ol' anarchist!

Just take the time and do your homework before signing on any dotted lines or forking out money! This is an excellent start and a wealth of info right here on the trusty ol' forum!

As far as schooling or training goes you have several options. Private school, community college or company sponsored schooling. Personally I recommend the company route because you can do it for little or no money upfront out of your own pocket. A private school is going to run you upwards of $5000-$6000. If you go the company route, yes you will have to sign a contact with them, but personally I would rather be on the hook with them then a bank of financial institution. If you defer with a company they won't come take your house!

Good luck man, let us know if you have any questions!

Welcome to the forum....

 

Chompi, Prime did not question me on my employment gap, or even recommend that I get a letter about being on unemployment. Had they, I would have complied. I have nothing to hide. No biggie, I'll figure something out.