Graduated Yesterday! Checking In/ Saying Hello/ Looking for Advise

Hey everyone! Graduated Driver Training Yesterday at Tri-County Technical College. I had a great instrustor (June Osborne) and have learned a lot in the past month. Prior to signing up for the course I had absolutely no experience with trucking but come from an automotive background. Passed the SCDOT CMV Written/Driving tests with no issues and am looking forward to getting on the road ASAP. Nearly 30 years old now but have no kids or wife to leave behind so I figured no better time to get started in this industry. Only know a handful of drivers so my advise is limited. Anything I should know/ look for? Will start the application process this week so any and all advise will be appreciated before I go and make a bad decision on who to start with. Home time is low on the priority list with gross pay being on top of that list.

 

Thanks for the reply Chinatwon... Flatbed is definitely something I have been looking into. In fact in the last couple days I have been approved at Maverick and McElroy! I like Maverick's reputation for sure but am not quite sold on starting my driving career in an automatic. McElroy guarantees that all their drivers get home every weekend and have great starting pay but am concerned about how many miles I will get. While I previously stated that home-time is not quite as important as the paycheck, I still want to work for a company that has some integrity (which both seem to have) and will allow me to visit the parents/brother every so often. Anyone want to chime in on experiences with either of these flatbed companies?

 

Ok so I took the advise on Melton... they have approved me to come to orientation! May not take the invitation though because they only "orientate/train" for 5 days! I do not feel I will be comfortable going at it alone that quickly. Great looking company with good pay and benefits though. The other flatbed companies I have been looking at train for considerably longer so how can Melton believe a week is enough for a true greenhorn?

 

After much consideration I have decided to be a Maverick! They seem to have nice equipment, good training, reputation of integrity, and demand top-performers. Seems like somewhere I can get a good start at and possibly a trucking home for long-term. Just have to remember to stay off the grass! Contacted the recruiting department this morning and discussed my requested orientation start date. Have some things to get organized/finished around the house, want to be home for my Mother's birthday (see is a cancer survivor and very important to me), and take one last vacation with the family before I leave on this journey so I have tentatively set up a date for September 15th to start orientation. See you all out on the road when I am done!