General Questions about breaking into trucking industry

OTR and Swamp, you both have some good concerns. Let me just ramble for a bit and maybe something that I put on here will be of some help to you.
I have been involved in this industry for many years but it does NOT make me an expert so take anything that I say with a grain of salt. You're going to read things from a lot of "experts" on here so...
There has been a lot of talk about the applications. Here is my advice--Do NOT lie on it, be as truthful as you can be. If you have a long work history as I do, I dont remember all the dates, so I put as close as I can. But I do not knowingly lie. If you lie on your application, they WILL find out and you will probably be fired. It doesnt matter if you have been with the company 5 yrs, you probably will be fired. Tell the truth.

When you talk to the recruiter remember that they dont know everything and can not make commitments for the company.
Now, the rest of what I am going to tell you, I have gotten a lot of flak for.
Ask questions, you have every right to do so. They want to know all about you and wont be in the least shy, so you ask. The most important thing you want to know about is your SALARY, then BENEFITS, meaning your health care. Be sure you find out what the particulars are and the cost of it. You can ask about all the other things, like hometime, vacation, 401K, etc. Make a list and ask.
There are jobs out there, you are going to have to look. The job you find might not be where you want to spend your driving career but its a start. Make the best of it. Learn all you can learn and retain it. On the road you will learn everyday. Listen. If you have a question ask. Help your trainer help you. Use your head. If you REALLY have problems with your trainer, contact the company.
I hope that in some small way, Ive been able to help you both. Good luck and be safe in all your travels.

 

luvtheroad, thanks a great deal for all that advice. It's posts like these that reveal what can only come from years in the industry I'm guessing. Nice to be looking out for each other here. I hope to be able to do the same soon.


Mostly I've been seeing CPM pay from companies, and "expected" or "average" miles. Are the salaray, and expected or average miles really able to be trusted..

 

Expected and average miles are probably miles that are the average for most drivers in that company. However, as slow as things are those miles might not be applicable right now. Ask, if it doesnt say anything about how current the information is. I have friends who have driven for the same companies for 15-20 yrs and are getting 2,000 to 2,500 miles, compared to much more when times are better. Remember, your salary is dependent upon how many miles you drive in any given time/pay period. Ask about that.

I'll try to help you with whatever I can, just ask. But remember what I have continued to say, I am not an expert.

 

To Swamp - I'm in school in Savannah, GA. I am not under contract with any company and have been advised not to go that route. At 46 I've learned to listen to the voice of experience(depending on the experience). Luckily Georgia has excellent state funded tuition assistance so my training is completely covered. My school is through the local Votech and lasts ten weeks. Lots of detailed training and much needed practice before they launch us into the trucking world. If you can do it go this route. I have a few more options this way. We have some old hands getting back into the trade and they are unanimous that independent schooling is the way to go.

 

Hey, being able to learn from someone who's not selling anything is as close to as expert as I can hope for
So it sounds like the mile and salary estimates are 'close enough' to what they say...

I tried to send you a message, and a private message, but don't have enough post counts for either yet . If you'd like to keep email contact let me know. It looks like I'll soon be in training myself and could use a pen-pal for a while to get started.

 

Would love to stay in touch with you! Get started on posting so you can get your amounts up for private messages. I'll check up on you here as often as I can.
Remember trust your own instincts and only a small portion of what the naysayers, and gloom and doomers have to say. Some have driven a truck, some can't spell TRUCK. You'll hear junk about companies from those who have driven for that company and from others who don't know a flippin' thing about the company, just what they've heard.
Use your own judgement, because in the end, you have only yourself to blame or thank for your choices. Best of luck and stay in touch.

 

He wants in and I want out! Going broke by the day hour and minute out here.

Mike