Best Advice for Someone With No Trucking Experience

if you have an appt Monday then also talk to the instructors and students.I did when I went to school.I drove there and got a look first hand and that,s 120 miles from home.Everything sold me.Don't make any snap decision because you liked what the recruiter said.

 

There really is no difference in the schools. If you go through a company school as long as you graduate then you already have a job. Personally I would rather be on the hook with a trucking company then a bank. Plus it allows you to get into the field without any money upfront. Trucking schools charge upwards of $6000.00! Usually companies hold you for about $2500-3500.

Which ever you choose don't expect too much. The schools are there just to get you your license and prepare you to go with a trainer of your chosen company. You are not a professional driver when you finish school!

With that being said I wouldn't put to much worry in choosing a school.

School and training is a blast though! I personally had a lot of fun and it actually went by faster than I hoped! Wish I could do it all over again!

When you talk to the recruiter take everything they say with a grain of salt. They are salesman and get paid for every person they get to sign on the dotted line! Same with the company recruiters. They will tell you just about anything you want to hear. If you choose a private school, while you are in class you will be visited by several recruiters from different companies. Keep in mind the schools get paid by these companies to steer you in their direction. I would do my homework ahead of time so you will have a better idea of whats out there. There are so many great opportunities out there besides the top 5 mega-carriers! People are just lazy and follow the herd. Think outside the box and you will reap the rewards!

There isn't anything wrong with those mega-carriers but they are what they are. Large corporations that recycle cheap drivers.

Your income is going to rely solely on your dispatcher. Thus you want a good working relationship with them. At these mega-carriers you will more likely be a number making this a little harder to achieve. Their dispatchers are responsible for hundreds of drivers where as a smaller mom and pop company has dispatchers that over see 5-30 drivers, making it more of a personal deal.

Make a list of your wants and needs and start researching companies on the internet. When you boil it down to a couple dozen or so then start calling recruiters and talking further about the specifics. On top of this you also need to decide which field of trucking interests you the most. ie; flatbed, reefer, dryvan, heavy haul, tanker, bullhauler etc...

Good luck man and welcome to the forum!

 

I can't say it as well as Chompi, but I too can't over-emphasize the importance of research! Hell, you can do a lot of it, right here (I wish I'd found this place sooner) though I wouldn't limit it to just that...Google companies on the web, check the BBB, look for reviews of the company by regular people on non-company-sponsored sites. Even though you have this appointment on Monday, I'd say definitely don't jump at the first company to come along and smile at you. I've been doing my "research" for three months now (almost there with my WIA funding) and the more I learn, the more questions I have, and I think that is key: Question EVERYTHING!

Since we're both in the same boat, I want to personally wish you the best of luck in your pursuit and maybe soon, I'll see you out there down the road!

 

Ya, and like I said, don't be afraid to think outside the box! You don't have to go down the same path as every other newbie. There are a lot of good opportunities out there that the recruiters don't tell you about and that are not advertised. You just have to take the time to find them. Another thing to keep in mind is that companies with lower driver turnover rates don't necessarily advertise as much. Lower turnover rates = happier drivers. The companies you see and hear about the most are the ones spending millions of dollars in advertising to replace all of their drivers.

There are many options out there too as far as different types of trucking. Whether it be flatbed, dryvan, reefer, heavy haul, tanker, bull haulers, CBS sports, NASCAR, motorcycle transport, car hauling, carnival drivers etc... The possibilities are endless! A lot of newbies don't even think about these options. The recruiters all recommend Swift or England and the new guys think these are their only options! Don't be a follower and you will be rewarded!

 

Hi,

A couple of things I'd like to mention. There are differences in the schools and there are important things to look for like behind the wheel driving time, experience of instructors, graduation statistics and placement.

Private schools start at $2000 and go up, not $6,000. Many private schools do accept the WIA grants so it costs eligible students nothing.

Also private schools do not get paid for company referrals. I have one company that does throw us some cash for a student now and then but we do not refer this company over others as it isn't worth us to force students to attend a particular company and be unhappy - we'd never hear the end of it.

There is a brand new website that does reviews, http://truckschoolrating.com/ but it really doesn't have any reviews yet, might be something to look into in the future.

As far as the dispatchers giving you good loads, most of them will take advantage of the new guy where ever you go. AND remember, doing favors that jeopardize your hours is not a good plan.

Drive safe!

 

I'm sorry and stand corrected. Spirit brought up an excellent point! When I said CDL Mills I am talking about the more major accredited ones. Such as TDI, Roadmasters etc... Not Bob's Backyard Backup School! Yes Spirit is correct in that there are some schools out there for around $2000. Steer clear of these! You really want to make sure the school you go to is a good accredited school. Stay away from these ads on Craigslist advertising cheap CDL help and such. You can even call some companies like Swift, England, Werner etc.. and ask who they recommend in your area. These will be legitimate schools.

Thanks for pointing that out Spirit, I sometimes just assume people are thinking the same thing I do. I forgot all about the really cheapy "schools" out there.

 

if you are on unemployment now check into a grant from the state for funding to get your license NJ paid for mine ty OBAMA community colleges offer this course in some areas longer better schooling then most schools, Accreited schools all offer placement assitance and make sure your driving and criminal record make you hireable

 

They are mega-carriers! I don't think they are evil or intentionally trying to screw drivers but they are what they are, large corporations that utilize cheap, inexperienced labor.

With that being said, you can still be successful and have a good career with those companies. Just realize you are a number at those companies and you really have to put in your time and stand out to make the dough. Your income relies solely upon your dispatcher. At these companies dispatchers are responsible for hundreds of drivers. Once again, you are a number to them and building a strong, personal relationship with them is next to impossible. Personally I feel this is very important to your success. At the smaller companies your Dispatcher is responsible for 5-20 drivers. Thus making it easier to build a good relationship with them, allowing you to succeed and make money a little easier. You scratch their backs and they scratch yours!

All in all, it is entirely up to you and you need to find a company that is going to match your personal wants and needs. Don't choose a company because another driver had a good or bad experience with them! Do your homework, think outside the box! Be a leader, don't follow the herd, and you will be rewarded. Also keep in mind that these companies spend millions of dollars in advertising to get YOU to work for THEM. The companies with the lower turn over rates don't have to advertise for employment. Happy drivers = low turn over rates. So if they aren't advertising it is going to take a little more effort on your part to find them.

Good luck!