Finally Starting The Journey to Become a Truck Driver

I used to driver for Schneider, for a while.

Unless things have changed there, you won't be allowed to take your spouse or pet along with you.

As mentioned earlier--your time on the road there along with a trainer is VERY SHORT.

After being on the road for a mere 4 1/2 days with a trainer, Schneider put me into an assigned truck.

Most people would agree that is MUCH too soon to go solo.

But....somehow....I made it work.

Most other starter companies will have you out with a trainer for much longer; 3-4 weeks seems to be the norm.

If you are out of shape and/or overweight, I would suggest you work on that now, before you have to take your DOT physical.

Get your blood pressure/blood sugar where it needs to be (if not there, already).

Pulling a 5th-wheel release arm can require upwards of 50 lbs of force--or more.

If you decide to go flatbed--tarps (folded) can weigh 75 lbs--or even much more.

Get ready for stuff like that, too.

To avoid deliveries that are all at different times (and thus, mess up you sleep cycle), I would look for jobs that are mostly "drop and hook"...and minimize your time with live loading and unloading (this means skipping those reefer jobs).

Stick with dry van, for starters. A couple of years later--then you can switch to tanker or flatbed, after you've learned how to drive a truck/trailer combo.

--L

 

AND.........That's why we call him Frank Speak folks! Lol. Seriously, Frank is right....over 90% of new drivers wash out in their first year. The majority in their 1st 6 months. Make a commitment to yourself to stick it out for ONE YEAR...Hell or highwater. There is a steep learning curve. You are going to struggle with your backing...we ALL DID. You will go the wrong way. You will get lost. You will need to learn trip planning and clock management skills. It will all work its way out. Just give time time. Just go slow and easy the first year. Getting in a rush, or getting flustered is where bad things happen.....big and small. Not trying to be a downer....just making it real. All of us wanted to quit several times when we first started. Stick it out... you'll be fine. Good luck!

 

But.....their ads are all over Sirius XM!