Getting started?

Go back to school! That's my best advise! If you are deadset on trucking if you have $6000 lying around then go ahead and get your license. You can drive anywhere in state under 21. Problem is that it is going to be very tough to land a local job at your age and with no experience. Not impossible. You could always drive a dump truck too. You only need a class B and do not have to go to school for it. Publix is a good option along with companies like pepsi, coke, and budweiser, however, once again they hire experienced drivers. I strongly recommend going back to college though. Trucking is very tough! Good luck to you and welcome to the forum!

 

you have to be 21 to drive for WM




American Trucker

 

Oh yeah, they will definitely put you in a job! You will have several jobs probably the first week you start trucking school. However these are the ones you steer clear of! These mega-carriers give the school's kickback for sending you to them. Usually you will have a handful of recruiters come and talk to your class during school. Don't fall for the brainwashing! If you want to succeed and make a good go of it stay away from the mega-carriers! (ie: SWift, Werner, England) The good trucking companies (like anything else in life) are going to be harder to get a job with. That is because they are worth it. Go for the smaller mom and pop type companies. The ones that aren't advertising as much are the ones with low driver turnover rates. This in turn means that the drivers they have working for them are happy there. These large companies make good money just schooling and training drivers. The are more than happy to see them go. This way they can keep fresh meat in the seat and not have to pay them! You are a college bound young man, doesn't it sound strange to you that a company pays out millions of dollars in advertising to get people to work for them? Have you ever seen this anywhere else in your experiences? If you are serious about driving and want to make money and a career of it then take your time and do your homework. Get all your ducks in a row. Make yourself a list of your wants and needs and go through the different companies you might be interested in and see what they have to offer. Check out this website:

http://www.newtruckdrivingjobs.com/student_%20driving_%20job.php

There are hundreds of small decent companies on here that will hire inexperienced drivers. Two good ones off the top of my head in the state of Florida are Armellini and Windy Hill. Good luck!

 

not all of the big(er) companies are bad like the one I drive for is great, and May Trucking is another good company to start with and they have a terminal in Pensicola, FL. I think our closest terminal to you would be.....Dalton, GA





American Trucker

 

When I checked a few weeks ago, May was not hiring from the peninsula. Of course things may change if demand increases.

 

A.T. Watkins is definitely not a mega-carrier. They are a good company too! I don't think I have heard one bad thing about them. You picked a good one man! I would advise to newbies though that aren't familiar with the industry to go with a company that provides them a trainer out on the road.

A.T. you are quite an exception! You seem to have it in your blood and picked it up and ran with it. You and Chralb are little trucker prodigies! I am blown away by your success as brand new drivers! (don't let it go to your head though!) Both of you took your time did an immense amount of research and choose your path's. The both of you also didn't follow the herd or go with first three apps. you got during school.

Now your company is large but by no means a mega-carrier. You all are treated like family and from what I have read have good dispatchers and are treated respectively. Your DM's do not treat you like a number and aren't responsible for hundreds of drivers. This is my biggest stickler about the mega-carriers really. Your DM is 90% of your success. If that is not a good relationship then pack your bags because the future is grim.

By the way I meant to include WALSTIB too! He also is doing exceptionally well amongst you guys! Keep it up guys, you are a very good example for the newbies who want a good perspective as to what a good new driver can accomplish!

 

W/S is a no-go in Florida also.

 

No Watkins in FL? Well I guess that doesn't surprise me. How's things going for you XLSDRAW?