Starting out at 22 years old

Success is measured on an individual basis. Some truckers love the trucking lifestyle, some do it for the money, some are happy with the stability of the industry, some really don't know why they're doing it and are miserable. This is life in general but I don't want another wannabe just jumping into this industry without being prepared for what this industry is about. So again I'm asking what are you trying to accomplish in your life? Goals and aspirations. Figure out your character and use that to build up yourself for whatever industry fits you and your goals. Too many wannabe's are just not prepared for this industry but honestly I think that they aren't well prepared for life.

 

That cannabis possession conviction may pose a problem in getting started in trucking. We're I you (and I'm not), I'd get in contact with some carriers and ask if they are willing to hire a young, hard working fella such as yourself with this on your record. If the answers are positive (check smaller outfits as well as the major players), then you know you stand a reasonably good shot at a job.

Also, understand that the first few years suck, unless you are lucky enough to land that dream job early. Some call it "paying your dues", but I call BS on that. Be prepared to be treated as easily replaceable until you have some experience under your belt.

 

NETTTS is WAY overpriced! I almost went their years ago. I googled up this place http://www.affordablecdltraining.com/contactus.html the price is right, don't know anything about them. I just got out of school myself, We had two 22yr olds one went with Averitt, one went with Comcar they both seemed like a descent companies.

 

Melon,

As brsims said, you need to call companies, talk to drivers on here, read thread after thread about companies (both the good and the bad). You cannot simply just jump into trucking. I mean, I guess you could, but you will be screwed. I understand where you're coming from, I do. I've been doing research for awhile now, and nothing has changed, but better decision making. I evaluated reasons and goals for me going into the industry, and everything checks out. Again, call companies and ask them if they will hire in your area, if you meet requirements for: age, driving record, job history, and criminal background (most of which can be found online, but it's always better to ask), ask them if they will accept the school that you wish to attend, etc. I'd ask these questions to the companies, before you start applying for school. Yes, hiring area is important, too!!! Me being in NY, I have had a difficult time finding a lot of companies to hire me in the future. I live close to the PA border, so it all kind of works out.

Other things to consider: what you wanna get out of trucking (goals), your personality - because trucking is NOT for everyone, it is going to be tough and stressful, do you have anything tying you down? Also, another major thing to consider with private trucking schools and company schools is your states regulations on transferring your CDL from the state you get it in (company), to your home state (where you receive your mail). This was a huge factor in my research, which has left me going to school, here, in NY. Most importantly, I have realized that trucking is NOT cheap. There are a lot of costs that you need to pay for, other than schooling, that can make-or-break your start off or career within (ie. endorsements, passport, TWIC card, HazMat background, etc).

If you need anything or more information or guidance, feel free to shoot me a message. I am by no means a trucker yet, but I have gone through some of the steps you are about to go through. I hope this helps.

 

Melon109

Here is what you are going to be up against.
1.age 22, insurance companies for smaller companies want you to be 23 great west, ooida, etc will not TOUCH you until you're 23 with a year of experience. Which absolutely sucks but that's how it goes insurance companies run this country and trucking.

However mega carriers are usually self insured and they will take drivers fresh out of school when you're 21. Some smaller outfits will bring you on as well and run you short and get you experience as well grain haulers etc will usually make exceptions for younger drivers. But for OTR you'll be stuck at a mega if you'd like to go flat bedding maverick will hire you at 21.

2. Experience. You don't have experience. No big deal signing on with a mega. But this contract or CDL school needs to be rethough. Don't sign up for carrier training. Most companies you will sign on with for OTR offer school reimbursement!!! And if you sign a contract and get locked in with a company for a year you may shoot yourself in the foot. I'd say get your training at a community college and go that route or a CDL school not through a carrier. Who you sign on with can reimburse you for your training

3. Seems like you have a lot of unsureness about driving a truck. You're either in or you're out. Think long and hard about this. Its one of those things that has to be in your blood. If I could count the times I've wanted to quit or contemplated quitting driving and giving up and had a buck for every time I could count them I'd be a #### millionaire already!!! But its in my blood I'm the 3rd generation in my family now. And I always climb back in the seat no matter what because I love this!!! Its not an easy life but for some its the only life we want to live. You need to think about this long and hard and make sure its what you want to do. You don't want to lay for school and the. Decide this isn't for you it'd be an absolute waste so make sure you know this is what you want to do.

You want to succeed you're the only person who can decide and make yourself succeed. You hold the key to that nobody else. You have to be thick skinned and have the drive to accomplish what you want and not let things get in your way at times that easier said than done but you have to keep pushing through. Think everything over. I don't want to discourage you from trying this or doing this. I'm 22 as well I know the struggles, I didn't have to find a company to work for I ended up as most would say buying myself a job and being an owner operator. But I know the struggles and have learned, I didn't have to find a company to drive for, I had the pleasure of finding an insurance company to insure me. Neither here nor there you'll have your struggles more so than the older guys who get into this because they don't have to worry about age being a problem with insurance. But you just have to take the good with the bad and keep going.

Good luck and keep your head up if this is what you want to do. Ask away and you can shoot me a P.M. anytime if you need to. I'll do what I can to help you out.

 

Wrong, You should be fully reimbursed for your training cost by your first employer or you should get it free from a contract school. I get 150 a month until my 5000 private school tuition is completely reimbursed which is 2 yrs and 9 months IIRC.

Wrong,i got my CDL the day after i turned 21 (male). I only ever turned in one application after extensive research and interviewing the company recruiters to ensure the company met my standards. I got one job for my one application with no issues. My criminal and driving record is squeaky clean though.

 

You clearly don't know what your talking about. I got hired for a flatbedding company straight out of trucking school just days after i turned 21.
Didn't you say TMC sent a recruiter to your trucking school and isn't TMC a Flatbed outfit...

 

Wow. Impeccable grammar and punctuation as well as a hint of higher education....take my advice, son - go back to school and grab that MBA...get yourself a real career with real possibilities. DON'T SQUANDER YOUR INTELLECT ON A DEAD END TRUCKING JOB....

 

Just because your able to do some jobs doesn't mean you'll like it. I used to do Med duty towing, I got my Class A permit around 2006 or so, got screwed on my truck rental and was offered a computer job. I always liked computers and was advanced with them, went back to school to formalize it, moved to IT, I've got school training and multiple certifications, I've made a LOT of money over the years but the white collar world sucks, I'm a blue collar dude that temporarily switched sides and it just wasn't for me. You could teach many drivers to work in a bank.....but they'd probably go insane doing it!