Another Newbie Introduction

Go with either Jim Palmer Trucking or Sage cdl school.
Forget that trainer stuff; it's not at all like being a school teacher. Also, Swift can monitor your phone calls and private conversations inside the truck.

 

Swift has a hard reputation in the industry, not unlike say the great pumpkin Schnieder or JB Hunt etc. You want to talk to carriers and you are doing it. But be very careful talking to recruiters. They will smile and tell you whatever you need to know to be... kissed and romanced into a bad job perhaps. Or a very good job you never know.

Montana is a wonderful place it's good to me, but there is nothing that delivers into Montana or ships from there for a variety of freight type reasons because our hauls have to deal with deliveries to the NW coast or coming east with east coast produce and good things to eat from Yakima WA etc. If I recall, you will want to learn how to throw chains for Continental Divide east of Missoula.

Ive been out of the industry for a long time due to my own medical reasons. I will say this...

You want to have clothing for all weather, easily washable in one wad into a machine and dried by same.

You want to have a few cases of water and non perishable food ready to go because there might be a time you will be stranded somewhere due to Elogs, break down or something else. Food is life and heat to your body and water equals life, especially in the Sonora or the Great Salt Lake where there is none.

You need to be trained, I think for yourself a Female trainer will be best. It's hard for a man for obvious reasons to spend time with you cooped up in a small space for weeks. Finding a female trainer is something very special. I actually had one in one of my first jobs and it was a day cab pete running bulk cement. She did a good job. Even though I had a bad day once later in my time there in VA and failed to follow procedure once for selfish reasons.

You have so much to learn. I think I will leave it here. The one thing in your asset is that you are young and strong, be prepared to be throwing boxes for hours if necessary. Or chains in winter onto the tires. Or lifting a heavy loaded landing gear trailer to making a hook up. etc. Doing things that many will not do.

One thing I must impress on you. Keep yourself health protected out there on the road, there are certain illnesses and transmitted sicknesses that can hurt your body and mind and will stop you from trucking pretty fast. And then there you are stuck. Keeping healthy and mentally sharp with cool and calm nerves for the people in the cars around you (Sometimes deliberately trying to cash in against your truck's insurance which is about 250K pay out before courts kick in...) you really have to watch for trouble out there.

Buy a good radio. But be prepared for abuse of all sorts. Not all truckers or people are nice out there. You will face a greater share of that more than most people do in lifetime. Once you are trained and you gain some experience and turn into a true professional we have a saying, class attracts class and all that filth and garbage will be left behind.

 

If you go with Sage, there's a couple dozen companies that will hire you:
Navajo Express
Watkins-Shepard right there in Missoula.
Decker Truck Line - refrigerated division

 

Not too long ago took my wife to a shoe store in Seoul; how strange mingling with so many superior beings.

 

I would not mind visiting Seoul someday, beautiful people. Unfortunately the NORKS keep Seoul about a hours artillery fire from hell and heaven. I hope that never happens and pray for reunification someday. China wont stand for that no way.

 

He's a big thorn in the side of China. He's been counterfeiting RMB 100 notes by the millions or billions.

 

The west coast has changed since the great exodus from California. Portland for example in OR fills up with teens who are on the streets these last 15 years it's not the same. Idaho is a option, I guess it's similar to west virginia on the east, no one will invade and take the place.

California people have moved north and east infecting everything west of the Missouri River to the coast up there, It's not the same. Laws and customs have passed by and freedoms lost replaced by Kalifornia living as it were. It's hard to explain.

If you get into Spokane... be ready for battle. Those people are NASTY in traffic and daily living. Watch it out that way. Once past you will find 200 miles of farm before the big mountain pass to seattle or yakima valley.

Good luck!