Best way to start out in this industry?

i got my start at TMc. They have one of the best training programs for starter companies. They are flatbed which requires a litte more work, but its rewarding and pays better. They also respect the drivers unlike many new companies.

Read past post as there are tons about trucking life. If you have the right personality it is a great career.

 

Washington state, are you prepared to hang iron for Snoqualmie?
Will your CDL schooling be at a Community College?
First company you will hire on with will put you with a trainer and you will run as a training team. Select a company that has almost no team driving because after you are done with training many big companies will want you to run team which is a real career killer for many new drivers.

 

oh opps, i didnt see u were from wash state...tmc wont work for you then...that being said, try to find a company with less then 5000 truck who is not a total bottom feeder.

 

All the Big Corp.fleets are bottom feeders...Period

 

Look at the trans-system website, 3 companies to choose from. All 3 companies hire new CDL school graduates. If you see something you like, call and ask if they accept graduates from the school you plan to attend. If you want dry van trucking, look at Watkins & Shepard; they have 3 terminals in WA.

 

As an ex cop you will have problems passing the physical. You have to have a heart to pass the DOT exam.

Other then that, you will do okay. First thing is get your CDL A. You can do it on your own if you have access to a semi truck and trailer or any class A vehicle set up. If you don't then you will need a school. Best thing is an independent that you pay for out of pocket. No contracts with companies to start out with. Then you pick at starting company. You should have your choice.

Remember you first year is only to weed out those, (sorry, cop, not that kind of weed, put your taser down), who can't make it over the road. You should start looking for you second job in about six months. Then you will know more about it. What kind of thing you want to pull, hometime, pay expections. That sort of thing.

Finally, if you decide to go the lease purchase route, hire a lawyer to look it over. Join OOIDA and never vote for Hillary.

Welcome to trucking. Sorry about teasing you. I know it must have been hard growing up without your parents being married.

 

You know, I had heard the maga carriers are all bottom feeders.. so I avoided them, I got on with a small family owned company, doing loose leaf paper logs and running around scales in an ungoverned Pete getting .42cpm.... but it was not as great as it sounds.. I then went to Werner, where I am now... I just finished 148 hours of training, got assigned a 386 Peterbilt and placed on a dedicated route... I have only 3 months total experience 2 mo ths with the small company and 1 months with werner,,, on my dedicate I bring home around 1200 a week... which as I get more experience and better at things I will make more... I have good insurance.. health, dental and vision.. I am p, eased with werner... I know that not everyone has a goood experience with werner just as I did not do well with the small company.

 

883 what route are you on? I am starting with werner next week

 

75% of most comments regarding companies is hearsay. Unless you have actually worked for a company you should let people know, "I heard this" or "I heard that". That is why I will only make comments good or ill about companies I HAVE worked for. I have worked for a company that makes Swift or Schneider look small. I have also worked for a company with less than 200 trucks. The key to success in the trucking industry is "What do you want" and "What makes you happy". There are 3 things to keep in mind with any company, and I just learned them 2 months ago, though I have known them most of my life:

1) Pay
2) Equipment
3) Home Time

Now that you know, pick 2. (Just like a good restaurant: Fast, Cheap and Good. Pick 2) Everything else is just a bonus, i.e. Insurance, Retirement, etc.
I make $3000-$5000 a month, Drive good equipment and work 5 on/2 off and 5 on/3 off. I am happy doing what I do and that is the key to Life. If you are not happy life will suck.