Do they all just suck??

"Milskired" has it right... I served in the USA Infantry, and I know what that's like. Thank you, hand, if I didn't already thank you!!! By God, trucking is the best, and over here (hate to say it, but it's true) you don't have to worry about IEDs, 10? Don't be disappointed when you come home and find there aren't many trucking jobs available... just stick with it, as I know you will, and check out www.fleetdirectory.com , as well as the job listings in the "Transport" column of Craigslist, not just in your town but in outlying areas, as well as distant cities. Hey, the 11-Bravo slogan is "FOLLOW ME!!!" In your case, and with your commendable attitude, "SEMPER FI" will do the trick, 10? As a former serviceman, I salute you, hand... thank you for all you have done to keep our citizens safe and secure. I don't agree with "policy decisions" when it comes to the Mideast and Asia, but you're the hands dodging bullets and RPGs in that theater of operations... and I salute you, as I salute my friend Roland who is currently serving his THIRD TOUR OF DUTY. That's all I have to say, hand... I did appreciate your post, just so ya know there are others on here who have served their country, 10?

 

It sure is. I start tomorrow morning in fact.

Good point milskired. So many people out there are just plain lazy and spoiled and whine and cry worse then little children when they have to so much as get off their ### and do something. My current job I'm surrounded by so many people like that and really it's one of the easiest jobs I've ever had. Sure I'm up on my feet all day keeping busy but it's not one of those jobs that by the end of the day I'm physically beat. Myself I love a challenge and I know no matter how hard it may seem it's still nothing compared to the type of work my Grandpa use to do. That man is 83 years old and still one of the toughest guys in the world I know!

That's why I think trucking would be a good match for me and if I have to work a ###### company for a while so be it. But as some of the others say have a strong work ethic and maybe the company will be a perfect fit for me!

 

All you have to do is make it work for you and just try to make it positive and not negative. I know there is not as many jobs out there as there was 4 years ago when I came in but I found my in and I am jumpin all over that chance. Just gettin my foot in the door again so that way I can eventually own one of those good lookin hood trucks with all that chrome and lights everywhere.

 

In orientation I was told by the instructor that "Werner is a starter company and most of you won't be here in a year". That being said my plan is to stick it out and always look for higher ground. I've wanted to be a trucker since I was a kid. I've done a lot of research on the industry and am so glad to finally have started the career I have always dreamed of. The advice I have received over and over again from the old hands I have spoken with is simple "Stay safe, don't f*&# up, stay positive, do your time and the good job will come along."

 

There are more bad companies than good out there. The attitude you carry with good driving habits will lead you to a good company after you gain some experience.

Companies that train are looking for cost reduction (cheap labor). All trainees have to go through it to gain the experience. It shouldn't be that way but with hardly any labor laws behind us, you do what you gotta do.

Some drivers mix up bad companies with bad dispatchers. Always try a few dispatchers before making rash decisions about a company.

 

Check out Maverick! They are top notch!

 

Yes most of the companies who take students suck. There are some that are better but I will let you do the research.

But stick with it. If you get just one year in without an accident or ticket you will look like a Veteran of the road to most companies. I have one of my ex-students that stayed with Central Refrigerated for a year, switched to Navajo and is now an Owner Operator at John Christner out of Supulpa Oklahoma. This after just a few years. She was not going to fail at this and she didn't. Most of her classmates didn't last the first year.

Don't get discouraged! How many people get to see the country and experience this much entertainment in the form of stupidity and still get paid for it? And all of it under an air conditioner with Montgomery Gentry playing in the background. And as an added bonus, you get to commentate about it on your hopped up CB radio with your buddies as you sail down the road, laughing. Admitting to not wearing any panties!

That has got to beat delivering Pizzas to frat houses.

 

LOL I love how you put it HUBCAP. That is my plan. I was told that my prior 17 months of OTR both hotshot and reefer/specialized freight expierience cannot be used as a reference because it is almost 4 years ago because I joined the military.... Kinda BS that I went to the military and cant go back to it in the position I was. I have to start all over and have to drive for another year before I can use that 17 months as a reference. So I figure that once I have those 29 months of time under my belt I can go to a great company and be an O/O Like everybody dreams of.