From Day One to One Year: A comprehensive guide for the aspiring OTR driver

thanks for this post. I decided on schneider. i hope i get a decent trainer....

 

when you going to orientation?

 

Not a bad post overall but this is definitely the view of a new driver. This is also the route chosen by inexperienced drivers that don't know any better. There are other ways in which you can get into the industry without having to follow the herd and have a much better chance at making good money.

 

"If you were smart, you sent out lots and LOTS of pre hire letters at school. By now, most of the bottom feeders, er, I mean, starter companies, should be breaking down the doors to get you in a truck. This is provided you have a decent driving record and can pass a background check and drug screen. If you don't or can't, you can forget about it. Even the starter companies won't want you. The pickings are slim when you're new, but if you do enough research and send out enough pre hire letters you're bound to find the least of all evils and the best fit for what you desire..."


Have to seriously disagree with this one! This is definitely newbie advice! If you are smart you will avoid sending out any type of prehire apps and also avoid filling out applications for the mega-carries. As long as you are breathing and aren't incarcerated you will get prehires from any company you apply to.

Its much tougher to land a decent job with a good carrier and can often take some time to find the ones that are hiring. The good companies have low turnover rates because their drivers are happy driving for them. Therefor they do not advertise as much and are harder to find. The easier it is to get hired on the less worth the company is to work for. Also keep in mind that these recruiters and employees of the cdl mills get paid to send you to these mega-carriers so its tough to get any decent kind of recommendation out of them besides the top 5 mega-carriers.

 

Mine was great, taught me alot about real world use of what id learned plus how to use the computer pretty well. Out of the 20 or so in my orientation, i only heard two people complain about their trainers. Keep a positive attitude and have the mindset that you want to learn all you can. Rolling into your trainers truck thinkin you know everything is probably the worse mistake you can make. Good luck to you!

 

Very helpful.