Is truck driving a good fit for me? Details inside.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by fantasy08, Dec 6, 2013.

  1. Sabine in Mo

    Sabine in Mo Medium Load Member

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    This is one job where your gender neutral for the most part. Well, except maybe pulling a flat bed. It doesn't matter that you are female, pay is the same for either gender.

    Not having ties to home probably would work to your advantage. Not having to be home on specific dates etc, will be make things easier.

    Your degree will have ZERO impact on your pay. As will your medical experience.

    I can't speak how your pay now would compare to entry level trucking. My pay and benefits are ok, but I have been doing it for a while too. I don't think you you will make more than 35k, I am not saying there are jobs that don't pay more, but they are harder to find when you start out.

    The pay guarantee is normally during training, after that you get paid for what you do, well actually, for how far you drive in a day. Which is limited by a bunch of factors, such as the law, which says how long you can drive, the weather, the traffic, speed with which you get loaded or unloaded etc.

    Based locally I would think in that case means that they have a terminal near you that would be your homebase. You will go home to it, and leave from there where ever they send you. And no, not just where you live. Solo or team depends on the company, some companies make you team up after training is done. Others give you a choice. Trucks are tiny on the inside and I for one don't want to live with a stranger in a tiny room.

    Driving solo means just what it sounds like, on your own, team means with another driver, you drive, while the other driver sleeps, and then you sleep when they drive. Most companies will send you out with a trainer to train you to do the job for several weeks if not months.

    Generally you don't have a choice which truck you will get, they will assign you one. And no, no choice with the amount of wheels either.

    Not to be mean here, but I think you really need to think twice and do a lot more research on this. Truck driving is more than a job, it will be a complete lifestyle change.
     
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  3. tsavory

    tsavory Road Train Member

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    Gender Has not much to do with driving these days but there are those rude comments every now and then during the road training depending on the company might have a hard time getting a female trainer( as most company female drivers tend to team with spouses) so you may get stuck in a truck with a male for 6 to 8 weeks. But they try hard not to have it happen. There has been a big rise in female drivers the past ten years.

    As posted above no ties means you can save big time if so choose. one thing you got to know is most companies that tend to do these schools will have you out for weeks at a time but hey no Hubby or kids to want to get home makes that easier. oh you would seen plenty of the country but finding the time to enjoy it may be a bit difficult

    Well It means you can write a book about your experiences and maybe sell it later down the road and make great payday off it but as far as the trucking industary goes it changes nothing high school drop-outs make as much as a masters in any field and start pay is not great. consedering the true hours put in.

    Read above but don't get me wrong with a few months 4 to 6 months exp. and some research under your belt you can be bringing in a good chunk every week.

    I have seen and talked to several US xpress drivers and many have enjoyed it many have had problems its a matter of a few things your willingness to learn, the way you and your trainers personalities mix, ect...
    yes even as a new driver you can make that much


    US express has offices and terminals all over so locally for them means they will attach your name to the closest terminal to your house which will be where you would probably get you trainer and truck from and where you would have to turn it in if you quite I really doubt you would get anything that keeps you in state. I would almost bet first trip out with a trainer you would cross multiple state lines. unless you go in a a daycab driver.


    When you start you will be with a trainer they should be in the passengers seat watching and teaching the whole time for atleast the first few weeks when they feel controllable you know what your doing they will probably sign you two up as team which means one can sleep and the other can drive (aka Team up an the load gets there faster and can do more loads a week) About 6-8 weeks you will be done with trainer.
    then if your solo you will be given a truck and sent on your own. If singed up Team your probably will meet up with your team driver.

    Most companies have fleet trucks that are all pretty much the same so won't be much choice don't want 18 wheels find a company that offers training to drive box trucks
    What ever you choose to do just know the trucking industry is not an easy profession and it will be hard at first but it does get better if your will to stick it out. On that note It is NOT for everyone you have to be willing to be away from home for long periods of time and put in a lot of work hours every week.

    I wish you the best and Good Luck
     
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  4. CargoWahgo

    CargoWahgo Road Train Member

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    Know plenty of ladies that have started solo and went on to get married to another driver.

    Most are very wealthy homeless teams.

    Just sayin.
     
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  5. mamatrucker34

    mamatrucker34 Bobtail Member

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    No disrespect, from one woman to another, this is a personal decision that only you can make. As others have mentioned, it is a complete lifestyle change. You don't get to take sick days or decide that tomorrow you'd rather lie around and watch tv rather than drive. Shippers don't care that you are having a bad day or just got into an argument with your boyfriend. They want their load there when they want it.

    I would definitely suggest researching this some more before committing to any training or any company. This isn't like McDonald's where, if you mess up someone's hamburger you can just go back and fix it. You mess up out on the road and it could cost you or someone else their life. This site has a lot of useful information. You just have to have the motivation and determination to search out the information required to assist you in making a decision.

    Best of luck.
     
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  6. jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    There are plenty of good female drivers in our profession.In this world,college degrees do not mean much. But, from what I read in your post, you would quickly tire of the driving job. I would not suggest it to you.Not your life-style.

    But then, what do I know ? I am just a dumb truck driver.
     
  7. Mountain Hummingbird

    Mountain Hummingbird Medium Load Member

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    Way back when there were very few women drivers there was a bit of Polar Bear's attitude that women should not be driving trucks but through the years we have proven we are just as capable. Yes for those who watch Ice Road truckers Polar Bear is in real life a ####. Cant add much to what has already been said. Unless you plan to do some writing while on the road which would be rather hard if you plan to do things like well eat , shower and sleep your degree has no meaning.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 6, 2013
  8. fantasy08

    fantasy08 Bobtail Member

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    Not real sure how to multi-quote(or even if you can) so I'm going to do it this way for now.

    Omg so many responses lol
    :biggrin_2554:

    From one female to another,your gender doesn't matter.

    I really hope this is true.

    So why don't you go back to school and finish your LPN?
    Nah, overall medicine is not for me.:biggrin_2552:

    Locally means just that,you drive locally and home the same day.

    I really like the sound of this.

    Don't count on driving for a local company right after training,most prefer a yr over the road exp.

    I was under the expression that if a company trains you that you were pretty much guaranteed a job with them to pay back what they put into you for paid training.


    Alot of ppl fear going cross country when they first start driving.I was scared to death.

    This is one of my fears as well. That's why locally seems to be a better fit for me right now.


    You have to be somewhat of a loaner and enjoy being by yourself and not have to many interactions with other people.
    I'm introverted(INTJ). I love being to myself. This job is 110% up my alley on that score.:yes2557:


    Last do some research on getting your license on your own versus company training.

    I definitely want to know more about this since where I first read about this it seems going through company training is not really good,but like you said I'm definitely going to research it some more.


    Other than that, US Xpress is a good company

    Good to know. :)


    I'd wait till after winter because the training at some of these free training type mills leaves a lot to be desired.

    I hope the ad doesn’t get put out of the paper before I can ask them some questions then. Do they treat people extra craply in winter or something?


    Think if you are really afraid of trucks, then maybe you should stay away from driving them. But, having said that, make sure you're not confusing fear for respect. Here's what I mean.

    Your example is how I think about them more than me feeling actual fear.


    Not to be mean here, but I think you really need to think twice and do a lot more research on this. Truck driving is more than a job; it will be a complete lifestyle change.

    I know it will be some, but they can’t be that big for me since some of the biggest changes (having domestic responsibilities and the problems that come with that) I don’t have.
    Trust me I’m doing a lot of research before I make my decision. My questions from actual truckers here is only one part of that. I don’t have a journalism degree for nothing lol.:yes2557:


    On that note It is NOT for everyone you have to be willing to be away from home for long periods of time and put in a lot of work hours every week.


    Not a problem for me at all. I want to travel badly, and I have no responsibilities to tie me to one place.


    the company might have a hard time getting a female trainer( as most company female drivers tend to team with spouses) so you may get stuck in a truck with a male for 6 to 8 weeks

    Do they deliberately find female trainers for female trainee's? While I definitely would feel more comfortable around a female,I don't mind a male teacher.



    I really doubt you would get anything that keeps you in state. I would almost bet first trip out with a trainer you would cross multiple state lines. unless you go in a daycab driver.


    If their idea of locally is having me go to another state will that state be near or far away from me. I'm definitely wary about going to another state as a new driver.



    You mess up out on the road and it could cost you or someone else their life.

    Trust me I have definitely thought about this.
     
  9. InternationalTrucker

    InternationalTrucker Light Load Member

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    Hello lady bug. Don't be afraid, bcuz there is plenty of money to be maid and lots of places to visit. Don't wanted your time with trucking school. I can offer to teach you everything I know and slowly you will see that it's not a big deal... I don't know where you live, but I am in the Dallas area and if you are somewhere close, just jump on the cab for a quick round trip and take your own conclusions. And if you enjoy, we can go from there. By thee way, I have my own truck and trailer + authority.
     
  10. GITRDUN45

    GITRDUN45 Heavy Load Member

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    Like XLS said. After reading a few threads on here you might feel like shooting yourself. Do well to enter this occupation. LOL ........................................ Kiddinggggg . You make it what you want and ignore us goofs.......US Express I hear great company to start with. Most woman drive at night cause that's when all the men stop and sleep. Less flirts/pervs to deal with during day when out of truck. GL on whatever you decide. Stay Safe and Happy Holidays.
     
  11. Mountain Hummingbird

    Mountain Hummingbird Medium Load Member

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    LOL sounds of a desperate man
     
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