New drivers listen up.

Ok listen to me im a 41 yr trucking vet and I want you all to read what im going to tell you. You are about to embark on a whole different life style one that will keep you away from family, friends, kids birthdays, holidays and at times make you insane and ask wtf am I doing!!!!!

First not every company is the same. They may seem like it but their are differences. Pay scale, equipment, home time and so forth but dont get discouraged when things dont go exactly like you want it. We dont live in a perfect world and if we did I would be on an island surrounded by scantly clad women drinking fine wine.

I have read so much complaining about this company and that company or this lease purchase or pay or home time. Remember this if you had say 500 trucks and you had 500 drivers and they all wanted friday off even though they were a million miles from home what would you do if you couldnt find loads just deadhead them and lose company profits or explain freight is soft and I cant get you home. Your gonna get pissed and then slam the company and now u have an attitude and nothing is going to make it better right? Wrong and here is why.

Certin areas are more prone to be soft on freight than others. Another fact is that maybe a shipper wants a team or maybe u were last to unload lots of things come into play. Dont take it personal the dispatcher does not only have u on his board and the booker gives the dispatcher the loads so if he dosent have loads then you dont roll.

You may get sent to an area you dont like but its better to move you then have u sit wasting fuel and if the wheels dont turn neither you or the company make money and that makes everyone unhappy.

One of the big problems is not disclosing things when u apply. Like the felonies, or 20 dui's, or lying about work and so forth. Just be honest and upfront because they will find out if u do lie and u will get sent packing asap. We dont like people to know our past no matter how bad but if your honest then maybe they can work with you. Remember its to your advantage to be truthful then to get caught and,ruin your career.

Schools are everywhere and you can choose which one fits your wallet. Weather its with a company or local school or college check them all out and see what they have to offer and how the payments are. Remember dont just go with joe blow school of shifting and they dont teach you everything you will waste your money. Make sure its accreditated

Leasing a truck right out of school is a bad bad idea. You see the complaints here all the time but lets do some facts. You have to know how to read a contract and understand what it means. I have read so many people complain how this company made them go broke or that company did this or that STOP. first off when u lease you are now responsible for that truck not the company its all on you. You are now an independent and so with it goes the fuel bill, maintainence, tires, towing, chains, load locks, repairs. You cant like so many others blame the company for your own actions. They may give u your plates and permits and take money out for a maintainance account but its the same as leasing a car your responsible for the up keep and fuel and so forth. Think before you lease and if u can run a business.

Earn the respect of others and they will respect you. Dont come off as a smart ### or show off. Learn when to keep quiet and when to question something. Keep yourself clean and your truck clean. Would you eat at a dirty food joint or go to a nice place remember that when u look in your truck and ask yourself if you would eat there if it was filthy. If a cop stops you remember yes sir and no sir will go along way. Acting like a fool will only make u look like an idiot but also reflect on the company u drive for.

And finally remember this. You are driving an 80,000 lb rocket. The damage and destruction it can do is just like a bomb. Think ahead, watch ahead and find an escape route when needed. Dont drive over,your ability. Everyone has limits just dont push yours to the point of no return. RW

 

Let me just add this also. You are all going to learn something that most people think is for the underclass. Well they are wrong. Without us there would be no food at walmart, no diapers for their kids, no gas for their cars, no paper for their office, no clothes to wear, no nascar, football, baseball, basketball, hockey, no new cars at the dealer, no mickey D's, no casino buffets, all the comforts people take for granted would not be there. Truckers bring it to them and for that you have become a part of the brother and sisterhood of the american trucker and were a proud bunch. RW