New driver new to everything

juanqueso · Oct 27, 2016

Needdriver for Chicagoland based trucking company..... work mostly east coast..we can try to get loads to keep you home more often for your child's concern......PETERBILT 387 with cat engine.... has TV and home theater system and microwave and fridge with freezer also...carpeting very nice truck..... email resume to johnkiesow1@gmail.com

Riffman · Oct 27, 2016

Claysapparel said: ↑

Hey there! My name is Scott and I will be graduating from the CDL Technical college program in around a month. I am totally new to driving and have little knowledge about the career in general. If you guys could help Id greatly appreciate it.

I am 29, never had a speeding ticket or been arrested for anything. Actually I've never been pulled over or had any sort of road violations. I have a squeaky clean MVR and criminal history. I worked for my families car business for 4 years, then owned a mowing business and ran a clothing store (hiring / firing/ inventory in our small town for 4 years. I still have my lawn care business that I part own today. I also have two associates degrees in general science and psychology. I'm currently finishing my bachelors with a few years to go, online and part time. I've always wanted to drive trucks in some format, so I wanted to give it a go.

I'm a hard worker in good shape, not afraid of labor.

My question is really centered around types of local jobs that pay decent with my experience and record. I'm not looking to become wealthy, just something to help make ends meet. 500-600 a week preferably. I have a special needs child, so over the road would be tough, unless I needed to for experience for 12 months.

I've got one offer so far, from a family friend that runs from Tennessee to Kentucky. He works 6 days a week and long hours.

Would anyone be willing to offer some advice on the topic? Am I uninsurable for local runs or are there companies that would take a chance on me?

Also, I do have an F endorsement from driving special needs patients to and from scheduled appointments. I'm sure that doesn't mean a great deal however.

Basically how will companies that I'm interested in consider me? I'd actually like to run gas locally, Florida Rock and Tank or something along those lines. I'm sure I need more experienced for that.

Thanks for anything some of you who've been at this a while can give.
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If there is aggregate companies nearby, try them. You'll be home and it's not bad work.

Claysapparel · Oct 27, 2016

Riffman said: ↑

If there is aggregate companies nearby, try them. You'll be home and it's not bad work.
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What types of companies are those? Again, completely new. Just learned what CPM means ha.

Claysapparel · Oct 27, 2016

juanqueso said: ↑

Needdriver for Chicagoland based trucking company..... work mostly east coast..we can try to get loads to keep you home more often for your child's concern......PETERBILT 387 with cat engine.... has TV and home theater system and microwave and fridge with freezer also...carpeting very nice truck..... email resume to johnkiesow1@gmail.com
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Will keep this in mind when I finish school soon. Thanks so much.

Teddy_Salad · Oct 28, 2016

Claysapparel said: ↑

Will keep this in mind when I finish school soon. Thanks so much.
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Good luck and keep us posted. I am interested in how things turn out for you.

Claysapparel · Oct 28, 2016

Teddy_Salad said: ↑

Good luck and keep us posted. I am interested in how things turn out for you.
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Thanks so much and will do. I'm actually pretty freaked out by the whole process to be honest. I've always been a pencil pusher so vehicles and trucks in general are all new to me. As of now I spend hours and hours just studying the subject ( as its all I'm good at to this point). I appreciate any information or advice (even negative) I can get. I Will for sure keep an update available.

tscottme · Oct 28, 2016

Claysapparel said: ↑

What types of companies are those? Again, completely new. Just learned what CPM means ha.
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I think those are rock haulers, IIRC. It could be "dump trucks" or semi-truck pulling trailers of aggregate, the rocky portion of concrete or cement. I sorry I don't remember the difference between cement & concrete.

Riffman · Oct 28, 2016

Claysapparel said: ↑

What types of companies are those? Again, completely new. Just learned what CPM means ha.
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Asphalt, rock, dirt. Etc.

x1Heavy · Oct 28, 2016

tscottme said: ↑

I think those are rock haulers, IIRC. It could be "dump trucks" or semi-truck pulling trailers of aggregate, the rocky portion of concrete or cement. I sorry I don't remember the difference between cement & concrete.
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Cement when added to water (Or Jersey... WADDER!), rock, sand and a dallop of additive liquid makes concrete when cured. Coal plants burn coal creating what is called fly ash which also goes into the mix a little bit.

That help?

If I remember right, if you pile a bunch of limestone into one end of a very hot grinding mill and burn it for a long time you end up with cement. I could be wrong.

Blueice1227 · Oct 28, 2016

x1Heavy said: ↑

Your labor does not come close to what lumping 48,000 pounds of soda cans from a 53 foot trailer 60 feet to the designated small wood stacking area so the Union Forklift can pick up the pallet you built (About 2000 pounds) and make it go away. It will take you around 200 cases an hour. Call it 5 hours on your back pain.

When done with that, you hop to the wheel and drive 8 hours to get loaded right now with the expect of no sleep until morning delivery 600 miles away. Not much hours for the day? Call your dispatch get new appointment, get yelled at. Eat food cooked by people who really have had enough of you in that greasy spoon. And the horse you rode in on too, 18 of them.

Trucking is a journey, much much larger than you ever will be. America runs on trucks. Yes we have the ships, trains, planes etc. But NONE of them can deliver like a truck can.

You will dream about that mistress outside your driveway when home sleeping next to your wife. Not the wife, but the truck and all it's problems needing fixing.

I come from a time where it was very common to thumb noses at DOT and get away with virtual murder and hope to get home with a few thousand each week besides. And spend it all by monday. Borrowing more until your 6th paycheck a month later finally gets positive income.

Your life on the road is cheap. Your value to the company is incredibly low. There are immigrants and unwashed masses filling that trailer each week ready to take your job at a moment's notice and a bus ticket to collect your truck.

The United States is a awesome land. You will love it, hate it and sometimes find yourself in terror of your life and wonder what in the world did you do to deserve that trailer coming around into front of you on Donner and still 40 miles to the bottom on ice?

Hopefully you get to learn really well before you hit the rockies in winter. I actually want you to start trucking in winter. You get the ice out of your system or it will get you running to mama.

Also, Undiscovered flaws in people's fears. ive had people lock up due to fear of heights. For example. Or possibly other phobias. Bring a pair of sandals to the shower among other things. And a stick to kill the roaches bigger than you are before you can get em.

You will also learn the worst in people. Parasites, bums, scammers etc. And if you are a virtious babe from a place filled with wonderful things that never hurt anyone, you are going to be ... stripped of that rose colored lifestyle soon enough.
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Wow not sounding good already

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