Company, O/O, and being a student.

Agree with Heart of Dixie. I'd say get started in flats would provide you with the most opportunity later on down the road. Rhoel, TMC, Maverick for starters.. I made the mistake 12 years ago of getting into dry van and did that with one company for the last 11.5 years. Back then to my way of thinking it was the easiest job I justified it by not ever having to tarp loads in the cold, rain, heat, etc. Now that I own a truck I realize just how big of a mistake that was. Dry van is the bottom feeder segment as far as rates go and if you plan on owning a truck some day you don't want to try eeking out a living pulling a dry box. Even after I first bought my truck I figured I'd always do dry van. I've come to the realization that diversifying and getting into other kinds of freight is the only way to really make money in this industry. You're asking the right questions. I say again go with flats. Any idiot can do dry van freight and later on down the road if you tire of flats try something else, tankers, dumps, yeah even vans if you want... Just don't put any limitations on yourself and the sky will be the limit...

 

At 6 months exp a few doors open up with different opportunitites with other otr companies( a lot of them are going now days min 1 year) and a lot of the min 1 year companies are now going 2-3 years exp min to open up doors for most of the rest of the industry. It is mainly like paying your dues!! When you have an established track record so to say, that sets the tone for other companies to possibly recruit you during all of this time. This is a very time sensative industry. throw in different climate zones, time zones and good old human touch(ie construction, rush hour, accidents, etc.) can take its toll.

 

also might look at what type of loads you want to haul, General freight, Refrigerated, Flatbed, each can have its own challenges and rewards. Flatbeds run equipment, building materials, etc. Refrigerated runs food and dry goods, general freight is all dry goods. different times of the year as well as different geographic locations also play into does the fright slow down towards end of year Dec thru March-April.