In the olden days how did newbies break the vicious cycle of no experience no job, no job no exp

More than I even got. My dad had his own authority but didn't want me 2 follow in his footsteps for obvious reasons. Wouldn't even let me drive when I was in my teens and was a fight 2 even go on a run with him during the summers. I went 2 the DMV. Got the book. Studied and rented a truck 4 my test. Passed. Then the first time I ever actually hooked up a trailer or drove over 65 was in a old Mack he had retired that I secretly bought from my mom. Repaired and leased on with a buddy. Talk about trial by fire.

 

Somewhere in Maryland there is a Mack 500 Super with the 15 speed double under or over, I cannot remember. Maybe one day I'll take a thousand dollars and go look at that rust bucket and see about it. I don't know what the state will do in the revenuer's office but I have ideas...

 

Oo. nice. I fixing to toss the bed and store it and plop a Mack Sleeper from a junker truck onto it.

 

It's much more tougher now and there are carriers who will not hire you right out of school for insurance reasons then there r those who will put any ### in the seat. I've been driving 37 yrs and called a co. regarding leasing on they asked for over the road experience I said I ran road in early 80s but have been a regional driver for past 30yrs they said no thanks. I couldn't belive it clean record no oos violations accidents nothing 37 yr experience 30yrs an owner operator no thanks I couldn't belive it.

 

I got my first trucking job the same way I got my chauffeur's license (pre CDL days), I checked the box on the application that asked if I had experience. That doesn't work anymore.

 

I got started by cleaning the shop...then helping the mechanic...then being in the right place at the right time when they needed a driver. I started on a '71 Ford L9000 with a propane engine and a 5+4. I had no idea what I was doing. Shift linkage all bound up in the middle of an intersection. You only do that a time or two. Then I lied like a rug when they asked me if I knew how to drive one with a eaton fuller. I made sure to creep out of the yard and wait to start grinding gears till I was out of earshot. Thought I was a big shot with that diesel engine. I didn't have to know what I was doing, I just had to make them think I knew what I was doing. Glad I learned when I did...this concept of riding with a trainer and going to truck driving school would have ended my driving career before it started.

I suppose it still possible to start this way but you'd have to find a really small carrier with some patience and an old hand or two to learn from. Problem is these days nobody's rasing their sons to be a man an work for a living. Kids want to live in the world of instant gratification. I guess it's everywhere now. I actually got in trouble when managing at the last place I worked...I told an applicant that I don't give people jobs...I hire men to do work. I won't give you anything and you won't take anything from me, that way we both come out even. (Borrowed that from a John Wayne movie). HR said that's not the right way to interview people.

So I guess the moral of the story is you have to find the right combination of BS, confidence, opportunity, patience and hard work.

 

Years ago,there wasnt near as many trucks on the road or as many regulations or as many people "crazy enough" to drive a Semi across the country.Some Dinosaurs were driving before,CDL's,before gps,before drug testing,medical cards,weigh stations,log books all of that.