Complete Newbie

Reefer outfits don't want drivers touching freight anymore. Elogs put a stop to that.
Shipper loads the freight and a lumper service unloads it. So just flip a coing between reefers & dry van.

 

I’d go with system transport. Good school and a good company. I made 55k my first year there.

 

They are basically like every other large trucking companies benefits. Usually not great and expensive for a family. But anymore that’s just how it seems to be

 

You may be comfortable with large vehicles. That is a plus.

But when it's time to come off Cabbage on ice at 40 ton and 18 mph downgrade... it will be something. Fortunately you would have practiced on many smaller ones before you got that far west loaded.

You probably know this already but everyone has something that is a real problem in trucking. Spouse had a issue with wide open nothing in Nevada one day. You think you know yourself and someone well, but when you find a situation not to your liking due to a phobia of heights or some other terror things get interesting.

You might want to look into Tanker work. Nice amount of detail and not too much lumping for your back.

 

2 points here. First driver loads/unloads are a rare exception these days. It is not just reefers. 2nd The reason really is because of the industry going to preloads followed by drop and hooks followed by insurance/OSHA regulations that don't allow drivers on the docks. The real difference between reefer and dry van is getting used to having that reefer cycling all day and night then all those long hours stuck in a grocery warehouse. I always advise anyone considering getting into reefer driving to speak to reefer drivers. It really is not the same.

 

If you go over-the road, be sure you know what the life is all about. Have you watched some of the OTR videos on youtube? I mean, you are going to run into a lot of hassles at times at shippers/receivers, driving over the hourly limit at times, high-cost living expenses out there, long load/unload waits, and a hundred other non glamorous issues that no one tells you about. Driving can earn you a decent living, but you have to be prepared to withstand the lifestyle. Some personal advice after 34 years OTR; always, always do the speed limit, and, don't do what everyone else does- use your own common sense.