Advice about Trucking without the Sugar Coating

Doc & Rollover.

I just finished this thread and have subscibed to receive updates. This information has been valuable. I will be retiring from the U.S. Air Force next year and am looking into a trucking career next.

Doc, I wished that when I was stationed near Langley AFB, VA that I had the opportunity to have lunch with you and learn any advice that you have. I will also search the thread for your number (if you don't mind) to find out about companies that treat newbies well.

After being in the military for 20 years, I too am use to a certain brotherhood and look forward to joining you guys to make a change.

Thanks again for the time and dedication that you have put forth in this thread. God Bless!!!

 

The "brotherhood" of trucking is no where close to what it was 15+ years ago and will NEVER stand up to the brotherhood we all knew in uniform! So don't get to heart broken when you find that out! it's more of a ME FIRST thing now than "Need some help" it was.Just do NOT fall for the "we'll pay your schooling costs" but find a good community college and DO NOT waste any GI bill on the cost! Hold on to that for something better!
Thanks for serving!

 

Doc,

I just finished reading your posts and by all means need to read them again.

I see you are a Mason. I will say the only thing I know and have experience with Masons. They are all good hearted people. I've known a few and they were always NO BS kind of people. Give it to you plain and simple and let you make your own decision.

On another note it seems the more I read the more I learn that My current carreer, past Carreer and Truckin have a lot in common. Current carreer: Aviation Mechanic, Past Carreer: US Navy. Hopefully if things go my way in 2yrs when I come home from Iraq I can get my CDL and start driving.

Looks to me like trucking would make an excellent fit for any Prior Military or anyone that has worked aviation, and liked those carreers.

Now if the person is the type that said NO WAY I'm going in the Military!!! Trucking probably wouldn't be a good fit either. At least in the military you get to spend 8-12 weeks with someone that will teach you to do things the way they want them done and actually wants you to succeed. (Boot camp instructors do get graded on recruits success).

Thanks for the straight forward talk!! Just like any career it is what you make of it!!

Your check list in the bginning is what I do any time I look at any company for a job even in my current carreer. Which I have changed jobs more times than I can count.

BY the way!!

I used to live in Newport News back in 2001-2003, worked at the Airport there. Have cousin that is a US Marshal that lives there now. SMALL WORLD!!
Unfortunately the lack of Common Courtesy has fallen away from a lot of the world.

My own parents gave me crap because I haven't been as strict on my kids about using Mam and Sir. But in todays society even I get odd looks when I use them any place but at work (MIlitary Contract). Only the older crowd understands and appreciates a Yes Sir or Yes Mam.

 

Awesome thread Doc, and much appreciated. I'm getting ready to get out there and make a run at this life, and I promise you to take your words to heart. I hope I have the privilege to meet a few more individuals like you so I can learn this business the right way. A sincere thanks.

 

Very well said....

Larry

 

Good point on the no sugar coating. Trucking is not for everyone. It is all about attitude and being flexible and it is about being professional, do`s and don`t`s and never break certain rules with any driving habits. Being able to stay out 3 weeks at a time and yes being smarter about it. A good company and dispatcher helps. I would also like to remind the newbies----No matter how good the company is maintenance problems will arrise and breakdowns. Know what to look for each time you change trucks and don`t compromise. Stand your ground when it comes to maintenance on the truck. It is your life at stake. # 1 is maintenance and recieving a relaible paycheck that is good at the bank. When you get your two years in go for the best job out there and nothing less. Know what you will be comfortable with. # 2 Be the best that you can. One thing, the companies I worked for I was always faithfull to. Be proud of your position and the company in some way will reward you. Times can get testy out there, just remember maintaining a positive attitude. Feedback from the customer goes a long way for the driver. Companies do appreciate it. I did my best to represent phone calls to the reciever as if I was the owner. You might see posts from us experience drivers when we get cranky but that happens when we get older. It goes with age I think !!

 

I've been tearing this forum apart for good advice and have to say that this thread give great advice to any newbie looking to get into the industry. I'm 10 days away from leaving the military and breaking into a career that i've been wanting to do forever. It's changed so much since my dad was a driver and I'm glad I found this thread. Maybe if all the new guys getting ready to go out there read this, trucking will start to improve. Heck maybe even a few of the turds out there will take some pride in being a trucker. I personally inspected a truck trying to come on post and when we opened his door it smelled like something may have died and been rotting in there for about a month. Needless to say he didn't get on post. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into this thread doc, it's greatly apperciated by this newbie. RO I'll keep you in my prayers and I hope you can stay on the road and do what you love.

 

Hey Doc,
I am another of those newbies wanting to that you for your time and advice. I am in school right now and I have about 3 weeks left until I will be done and have my class A. I'm hoping that at least in about a week and half, to be able to start applying to some companies and get something lined up when I graduate. I appreciate all the info and advice that a expierenced trucker can give. I was wondering also, if you might be able to give any reccomendations of some good companies to work for. I had the opportunity to speak with a driver about a week ago in person at walmart. He had been driving for schneider for over 8 years now. I Have served in the military and am in the reserves now so I'm also looking for companies that would work with you on your part time military drills and stuff.

Any help , advice or information you can give would be greatly appreciate.

Thank you,

 

Pablo, Doc is obviously the expert but I just want to say do not wait to get a job lined up, do it right now. Identify 3 or 4 companies that look like a pretty good match for your needs and ask them to send you a "pre-hire" commitment. Ask lots of questions. My wife and I are going with Watkins Shepard but we had a lot of companies to choose from, got four pre-hire letters each and I did a LOT or research. We also talked to a lot of experienced truckers.

 

Very nice thread here.

Thanks Doc!

This thing should be stickied, if it isn't already.