HELP while i am young

I actually have ridden with a flat bed before, hauling steel. It wasn't an OTR thing, though. Just a trip to the steel company then to wherever it was we delivered it. I'm pretty sure it's not any way representative of what to expect when going OTR as a company driver, but when I was around my early teens it was a blast.

 

Make sure trucking is what you really what you want to do. This is an industry based on exsperence you will be given the scraps because you are a newbee. When you get your 1 year of safe driving under your belt then you can make some moves for the big money. Take your time do research do not just listen to what other pepole say. Think of trucking recruters like army recruters they will lie and tell you anything. Nursing is a good feild too. HEY GUYS TELL HIM THE ABOUT TRUCKERS LIFE STYLE

NO SLEEP
CRAZY DRIVERS

 

Most all companies hire students. I know Prime hires and trains students all the time. I also know that they have a very extensive program. You aren't turned loose until you have 70K miles riding with a trainer. Granted, that only takes about 5-6mos. But, they are very safety oriented and their training program is excellent......Just ask my wife....she's still training with the best instructor in the program....Me! LOL

Just do your research.... List out all your choices... List the good and bad points of each. You have time, that's for sure. You should be able to be the most informed student in any truck driving program.

 

I live in TN...when I want to go home....I just tell my Fleet Mgr(Dispatcher) that I want to be home on such and such day..... My last load before going on time off will get me within 100 miles....usually closer. For ND....now that's another question. You might be able to get a load straight home.....but I'd say you would have to deadhead out....since there ain't much coming out of ND....or is there? That's the only state I haven't driven a truck in.....been there in a Jeep....but, never in a truck. But, to answer your question....yes, they do hire from all over the country. And, yes, you might have to deadhead home and deadhead back out... AFTER YOU GRADUATE COLLEGE WITH A NURSING DEGREE!!!

 

You're still very young, and have your life ahead of you. You're going to school for nursing right now. If you are going to get your RN, soon, then I would finish that. Go to the DMV, get a CDL manual, and study on it while you're going to school. When you finish, you will be old enough to go OTR by then, and you will have your nursing degree, and should have an easier time passing the test for your CDL permit. A head start for your trucking career. Then you also have the Nursing degree as a backup. You can make alot of money as an RN, and not have to be gone all the time, or to drive 11hrs a day. Consider your options, ALWAYS try to have a backup skill/trade, and take life by the horns, but do so without jumping into anything to fast.

 

Title,
Every O/O here will give you AWESOME and in your face reality. The have been there and done that and as you stated, HAVE the battle scares to show it.

You are 1 year older than I was when I got a wild bur in my rear and just HAD TO get my own truck. I'll speak for all of us on this one case and say, WHEN you have made up your mind on getting your own scooter. There is nothing or no one who's going to talk you out of it. NO ONE!

I dont mean to say this like it look's but it is truth. YOU are way young to get a truck and just think your going to go into business for yourself.

I leaned that at the age of 19, when i bought a truck off of my uncle for $3000.00. It was the TRUCK I drove LOGS for him in. I told him I was SICK of working my ### off for $300 a week and wanted more.

He TRIED to tell me back then and I should have listened, back then.
I RENTED/LEASE OP'ed the truck from him. Within the first week I was BROKE and the truck sat for 2 days because I couldnt afford fuel.
And hell, the FUEL back then was $1.60 Per Gallon.

If he didnt take me under his WING and get me out of that MESS i had made for myself I would have had to sell the truck, NOT being payed for yet and take a LOSS and just run. But, I was his blood and I was a hard headed kid in his family so he helped me out. He offered to take FUEL out of the trucks ( settlement ) at the END of each week.

NOW, Im telling you all this because I was in a GOOD nitch to get started. BUT I had one BIG downfall when it came to going out and doing business.
My AGE. I stayed working the truck for Bud ( my uncle ) until I was 22.
I HATED, and I do mean HATED that work.
It was COLD, the PAY was bad and I couldnt do anything about it because NO other company would take me on as a TRUCK because of my AGE.

I learned very fast that I should have kept my dam mouth shut and stayed in ( HIS TRUCK ) and just saved my $$$$$. I would not have made it 2 weeks had I not had HIM to pull me along. And I guess thats a good thing and a bad thing in its self.

The guys here are wonderful people and their ( start out ) stories are great. Learn from our mistakes and take in everything the guys here have to offer.

I guess the reason I am even replying to your message is because when I saw your post I thought about my past. And I dont want to hinder you AT ALL but I do want you to think about what I said.
If NOT for my family being in the industry, I would have FAILED at startup.
My family has their own LOGGING Business and THATS how at the age of 19 was able to get and RUN my own truck.

My .1cent for you to read and ponder on,
All the best and Good LUCK!
Matthew