Some solid advise to the "newb"

Hi Gator06. I am a new member here and new to trucking in general. I like what you have said here in your post. I completely agree that there are 2 sides to every story. I just left 8yrs of law enforcement because of being fed up with liars, criminals and idiots. I of course did not care too much for the people I arrested either lol. I just want you to know I really appreciate all the good info I get from you and all the other great members here. I just recently graduated from C1 in ft wayne (oh that was fun) and originally was signed on with pam. They told me because I have a spotless driving and criminal record that Star in mortin il would take me. So I did it. I was ready to go for training when I got a call saying all drivers are on a hiring freeze until Jan 1. So now I sit and wait. Have you or any members heard anything good about Star? And what, if any, are the good companies to work for for a "newb"?

 

I just want to say thanks to all the Vet Drivers here for all the great info. Hoping to start driving school this month with Roadmaster in San Antonio,Tx. Reading the Good and Bad company threads started making me nervous about driving, but, reading this thread gives me alot of hope about my future. Thank you all for the great attitudes and info.

 

celadon doesn't have a hiring freeze they have 2 classes of orientation 30+ in each class a week.Their turnover rate is about 120% they have more like 4000 trucks 12000 trailers and they're buying up bankrupt companies. .i just quit them in november 11th and was put in for a rehire by my dispatcher she understood full well why i left NO CONSISTENT MILES .before celadon i worked for transam they called today 12/26/08 about 5 pm to offer me job back (i called them tuesday 12/23/08 just to see what would happen two days to look at my DAC. i can set a date to do their 3 day orientation.but why would I go back to a job that just doesn't pay what say is the average yearly income is.I'll try to hold on for something else. the risks for that pay aren't worth it imagine if you were along the side of that truck on donners pass(god rest their souls) just missed that crete driver. bill the driver/mover

 

Another good post by Gator!

I got the official letter.My date for orientation with TransAm is the 21st of this month.The only thing I need to work on is letting out my clutch a little slower and not slightly pressing the gas while up shifting and I'll pass the DMV test by next week.I didn't want to sign on for a CDL contract with a big company.

Since this posting seems like a more positive atmosphere..

Just wanted to put in my two cents...I'm a 23 year old single Male that wants to live in his truck for numerous reasons...not only because of money.I've got about +5 points on my driving record.I've even projected my first years income around $25,000 and I'm still happy with the way it looks.I don't really have a family so home time isn't that big a deal to me.Maybe in a few years I'll think about being an o/o...but for right now I'll just enjoy the driving.

Even in school I've met a few experienced truck drivers who are taking the DDC that the school offers for a few extra points on their license.A positive experience and they were always willing to answer a question I had when the instructors were busy.I plan on being in this business for a good long time before I quit.

Can't quite understand the salty drivers why they're mad all the time...But everybody has their reasons.Not really my place to say.Cya out on the road!

 

hiya all,advice sounds great,i'm going to tmc for training and gonna stick there until i get a few years under my belt.and then find something else local. this plan sound good or should i stay a bit longer thanks everyone

 

Just remember what ever you do slowdown,take your time ,Read!!!!!!! your Road signs did i say READ your Signs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never be afraid to ask someone for help or get out and look.Its takes alot less time to get out and look than to wait on the police to come or try to explain to the trucker next to you why you hit his truck. Good luck to all that is starting a career in trucking make the best of it or it will take the best of you... Stick it out with one company if possible shore will make it alot easier to get that lush job down the road. When you are sitting around with nothing to do get you map book out learn the roads,restricted routes,lowbridges,anything that will help you later down the road. Belive me the day will come when you make that wrong turn and have to back a mile down the road with cars blowing at you because you can't fit under that 13' bridge that you missed the sign on because you were on the phone (maybe not but who knows) just watch ever move you are going to make,And try to watch every thing around you. Good luck.

 

Well, I may be a little late to the party here, but Gator, your original post on this thread is the type of info. I've spent the last couple of months hunting for on this forum. It's nice to read it all in one post!! Thanks for confirming in one minute what has taken me about two solid months of sifting throught multiple topics and threads to discover. This post needs to be permanently set up somewhere on this forum so all NEWBS can easily find it!!!

 

Oh, BTW, the rest of the thread is above average as well !!