I'm on my way now!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Chaps, Dec 10, 2014.

  1. Chaps

    Chaps Light Load Member

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    Nov 22, 2014
    South Carolina
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    To start, I completed my physical for my card and went and got my permit today(very happy). I will go tomorrow or Friday and talk again with Tri County Tech and get registered for driving school because it starts Jan 2015. I'm excited about getting started and mainly getting this all done, just ready to start on the job training. So my question is...when should I start really looking into company's for the right one? I know with no combination truck experience I will be limited but should I check into the one's that say 1 year experience required or not. A local company I'm interested in say's that in the requirement's for them but I know for a fact they hire new student driver's and also they recruit at the school I'm about to attend. I do not want to drive OTR but I know I will have to do my training time that way no matter who hires me. Just looking for some advice and maybe you could shed some light on how this will work now and later. Thanks
     
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  3. crazyk

    crazyk Light Load Member

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    Sep 6, 2014
    Northern MN
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    First thing to do is look around where you live and see what trucks are on the road with day cabs and note the name of the company. A lot of them will require experience b/c there are a lot of folks who want to drive a truck and be home at night.

    Some may have sleepers but only a few day runs before a night at home. Even some of the megas may have dedicated where you lump stuff but get home at night.

    If you post the nearest decent sized city to where you live, you'll probably get some help from people on this board who know the scoop. I'm also starting my school in January so I have no expertise. I followed my first paragraph advice b/c I'll want to get off the OTR express for my family but I wanted to get experience for the companies I'm interested in long-term and an employer where I could get CDL paid by them and use my GI Bill apprenticeship.

    GL to you too!
     
    Chaps Thanks this.
  4. Chaps

    Chaps Light Load Member

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    Nov 22, 2014
    South Carolina
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    I have looked at trucks around that I see local and keeping track(great advise from you). I live near Greenville, SC so yes any help from someone that may know who hires a new driver would be very helpful. Thanks Crazy K !
     
  5. Chaps

    Chaps Light Load Member

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    Nov 22, 2014
    South Carolina
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    I guess I should add, I would like to do a week run at a time-home then out again(regional?) not sure if that is correct or not.
     
  6. Vilhiem

    Vilhiem Road Train Member

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    Oct 6, 2014
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    If you're brand new at this, you're likely not going to find a job like that. I feel that I got really really lucky from a hiring crunch for a dedicated account but I'm not home every night. (Though I like that.)

    Regional, intermodal, dedicated (some), and of course local are all keywords you should browse for.

    If you stick around on this forum, I do push SNI. ...hope you don't mind if I push them once more?

    schneiderjobs.com

    Take a peek around, but of course steer clear of the ones you *know* aren't any good.

    Good luck!
     
  7. JoeBear

    JoeBear Light Load Member

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    Jul 18, 2014
    Houston, Tx
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    TMC does almost all is regional home every weekend from the drivers I've talked to said how brand new drivers out of school. Grossing 1200 a week. They're flatbed a bit more work than slamming doors. But I don't see it as a down side. I'd tell ya to work for Melton where I work but I'm out 2-3 months at a time don't think that'll work for ya.
     
  8. Vilhiem

    Vilhiem Road Train Member

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    I would like to do flatbed at some point... If I can get the fiancee to join me as a passenger then I'd be up for that...
     
  9. JoeBear

    JoeBear Light Load Member

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    Jul 18, 2014
    Houston, Tx
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    TMC has a rider program.
    Melton has rider, pet policy, apu's, inverters, and fridges in there new 680's. Have any kinda serious ?s about Melton PM me
     
  10. Chaps

    Chaps Light Load Member

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    Nov 22, 2014
    South Carolina
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    Yeah I have looked into TMC just dont wanna spend all those weeks in Iowa for the tarp/flat bed training. I have also looked into Greatwide freight they are in the next county over from me. It sounds good and after training OTR I would have a choice of local, regional or OTR, its dry van & refer.
     
  11. JoeBear

    JoeBear Light Load Member

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    Jul 18, 2014
    Houston, Tx
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    Well to each is own I'd rather not pull van or refer Goodluck
     
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