Almost through with school....

Truth about truck driving: Worst job in the history of modern man...
I admit I didn't read the whole thread. But my advice is this. Work at Wally World instead. If you have a family (wife,kids) kiss them good bye and get the divorce papers ready. Buy some KY, ask the company to be gentle and use it. Expect your paycheck to NEVER EVER equal what it's supposed to. Count on taxes, road rage, and to pay fines for inspection failures. Know, that you are there for the company to make money not you. Believe this; any comment or on here telling, encouraging, offering hope that your decision to drive for a living was a sound and or good move is a recruiter or somehow affiliated with a company. Ask yourself this. Why are the instructors at my school not on the road? Any of their answers (if honest) should be a clear indication to you, as to why a decision to drive for a living is NOT A GOOD ONE!!! I was a plumber for 20 years. The housing bubble burst and I to fell for the BS, and made the decision to get my Class-A. Any job that involves a big rig is set up, it seems, to bring you down and make you feel like a POS... From local to OTR. Especially OTR! 14-16 hour days, 6-7 days a week. Buying ALL YOUR FOOD. Paying for showers. Dinks. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. You will spend as much money to feed yourself on the road as I costs to feed a family of four at home. You will make crap for earnings the first 3-5 years! HALF OF YOUR MONEY WILL GO TO YOURSELF! Just to exist. Do yourself a favor. Look at all the dirty old 15-20-25 year drivers. MOST, NOT ALL, are fat. So out of shape that they get winded walking from the fuel island to go potty. They don't care what they look like anymore, smell, they piss in bottles, and use baby wipes (if they have a bit of self respect left) to simply make themselves smell better than a carcus on a hot July humid night. You cannot support a family. Your making money for your slave owner. That's the best way to express /describe what driving a rig does to you. Your a slave. Slave slave slave! Run away NOW! Rethink your life. Do not drive a truck. All drivers become angry, disconnected, lethargic oagers. Weather you believe me or not, I do not care. The folks who know the truth will back me up. Make a better choice for yourself. Work ANYPLACE ELSE!!! Do not drive for a living. Move to a city, go back to your old "good" job you wish you never quit/got fired from. Beg, plead, grovel. Anything you can think of. But do not start yourself down the road to ruin. It is all a scam! From school all the way to ANY COMPANY. Truck driver= lonely life. And for the love of God!!!! Never ever!!! Lease, buy a truck!!! Just run the hell away NOW!!!! Don't do it.

 

If you think you can be handed a set of keys and start making money without a "roll of the dice" trainer in the truck, call Watkins Shepard...If you think you need time being trained, there a dime a dozen, good luck!

 

Just what the OP wanted to read.You're suppose to be bringing supportive advice to the table.According to your avatar you're a newby and this is what you think of trucking?You won't last another yr.I'll give it 6 months at most.

 

I started in 2004. I had to dig up my login info. Like I said. Believe me or not. IDC. I worked for: Teamster (USF Holland) for four years, TMC, Central Transport, Dayton.... Doesn't matter to me? Everyone anyone who drives... Knows what I say is true. Ask the right questions. You'll get the real answers.

 

geez what a drama queen. sounds like someone made some poor choices and is bitter.

the 'truth from someone who won't back you up' is that if you haven't made poor choices in your life that push you into the corner of having nothing but bottom feeders to choose from is that not only can you have a good experience but you can also have a good first year.

true, it takes a good background and good mvr and solid employment history to snag a good entry level position. anything less than that to offer and you do run the risk of settling for less than ideal to downright poverty wages and weeks on end on the road.

if you have a solid and clean history to back you up, you can do well. home weekly or almost. good equipment and decent pay.....but you have to sift through the bs companies to find the few good ones.

pay for showers? not if you use your rewards card when you fuel. you can shower for free every day or at least every other.

blow money on food? only if you eat fast food every day. shop smart and you can eat well in the truck for $50 a week or less.

can't support your family? bs. do your homework and choose well and you can do just that. my wife doesn't work and hasn't since my first day on the road. our bils are paid and we're even saving a little.....and I didn't do a 'niche' job like tank or flat. non-hazmat van since I started.

first year with a good training company I did mid 40's and home almost every weekend. 3 years into it there I was low 50's. now going on 4 years I graduated to a really good gig and will do 65k with my present company, driving very nice equipment, still non-haz van, home every weekend and I'm only midway through the pay scale.

clearly it isn't a job or a life for everyone......as the above post bears out. unless you've just backed yourself into a corner because of poor choices in life that limit your options of where to go, it can be a good living if you're suited for it and have the background to offer to a good company. there are a scant few out here but they are out here. yes the hours are long and irregular. yes you have to have a sense of humor and patience. yes you have to have a high tolerance for dealing with idiots. it isn't a job for the weak, timid or anyone who can't manage their money or are looking for an easy payday or don't do their homework and have unrealistic expectations.

but it works very well and is very lucrative for those of us who did the homework, had a plan, and saw it through

 

Truth be told I won't ever log into this site again? Most likely... I just had a recruiter call me and had an email that led me to this site. My opinion is not important. But the disdain I apparently hold and have expressed here should be cause for alarm. Encouragement? This site is a lie probably made and edited by a trucking company. Run away. Work at McDee's. I'm done

 

I can see clearly why you don't like trucking,this post says it all.You say you won't be back on this site so i'll leave you with a final note,don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.I said that with the most sincerest respect.

 

Good......

 

Like Chinatown said ...don't let those experienced only signs stop you from applying. Apply in person clean , neat , and ready for work. Be honest , forth-coming on all accounts and respectful. trucking is really like most other professions , the right attitude and some luck will work wonders , just remember your luck is often self-made. In your area , Charlotte , NC , there are many local and LTL companies around , apply to them all ( in person) , a small investment of time /gas and shoe leather are your friend. Get out , ride around a bit take notice of the companies you observe while doing this , then get a copy of the Observer , turn to the want ad's and go try and find all those companies you don't see ad's for.....the best companies very rarely advertise for help...they don't need too. If by chance you get an interview with an LTL company , tell them you'll take a dock job/hostler (switcher's) position to get your foot in the door...

 

Actually, you bring benefit to this site; a perfect example of what can happen with poor, to no, planning in a new career. So, for those reading this thread, don't make the same mistakes Canaday did. Get all the endorsements, TWIC, passport and make good money beginning with the first year. Don't jump on the first job offer, be patient and start out right.