Help a trucker wannabe out!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by OpenRoadGuy, Jun 2, 2010.

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  1. OpenRoadGuy

    OpenRoadGuy Light Load Member

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    I am sick of the career I am in, and have decided to change my career completely. I want freedom, and love the open road, so that's why I'm looking to be a trucker.

    I've been reading these forums, and will continue to do so, but I frequently get lost with a lot of the termonology used, so I figured I'd create my own thread (be prepared for some dumb questions).

    I'll be with the company I work for now for another month and a half, and than I plan to go to a driving school to get my CDL and experience behind the wheel. I'm located in East Stroudsburg, PA FYI. I have a clean driving record, and have never been in an accident in my life.

    For starters, I've been looking at the Driving School that will be best to attend. I was favoring Smith & Solomon, but based on what I've read they are basically in the business of taking money and giving minimum training with a crowded class. Windsor in Linden NJ appears to give plenty of time behind the wheel which is what I need. I have never even sat in a "Big Rig" before, let alone behind the wheel of one.

    After I graduate and get my CDL, I need to know the best companies hiring in my area. With the economy doing somewhat better (we'll see if that continues, I have my doubts), are more companies hiring?

    I'm not looking to play games here, I want a company who will take note that I'm serioius about a career in this industry and will realize if they treat me well, I'm likely there to stay.
     
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  3. walleye

    walleye Road Train Member

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    How old are you??

    How long have you been in your present occupation??

    Have you taken the time to really think about the effect a job in otr trucking will affect your family and home life??
     
  4. OpenRoadGuy

    OpenRoadGuy Light Load Member

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    I'm 33 and have been with my current company for 8 years.

    Yes, I'm thinking about the effect this occupation will have vs. my current occupation. Truth is, all the complaints I've read about a trucking job, I already have with my current job and then some. You have no idea how much work is expected in the corporate world with today's economy.

    The only thing I would be sacraficing is the 6 to 7 hours per night I get to sleep in bed with my family before slepping off to work again the next day.
     
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  5. walleye

    walleye Road Train Member

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    You'll lose the weekends with your family,.......Chances are you'll be spending most weekends in a truckstop somewhere waiting to unload or waiting for a dispatch,.......

    You could lose your whole family,.......
     
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  6. OpenRoadGuy

    OpenRoadGuy Light Load Member

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    I don't care if the time I get off is on weekends or weekdays. I do need to spend time with my family.

    Is that a generalization, or is every single company like that? I don't want to lose my family. But please understand, with the hours I work now, there isn't much difference. I already work through weekends anyway...
     
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  7. jtrnr1951

    jtrnr1951 Road Train Member

    They're just trying to scare you off, so we can make all the big money !!

    Just quit your career, and join the millions out here, seeing the country-while being Paid !!



    But remember, one decent OOPS, and your CAREER in truck driving is OVER !!!!!!!!
     
  8. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Hey ORG, welcome to the forum. I sincerely wish you the best, whatever you decide to do. I also hope you will look long and hard at some of the experiences that are told about on this board.

    I won't try to discourage you from doing what you want. But it will be in your best interest to learn as much as you can about the business, BEFORE committing to it.

    In your second sentence of your first post, you state you want "freedom." Now that really is going to depend on what your definition of "freedom" is. It is true that you don't have a boss breathing down your neck all the time in this business. But it is also true that an awful lot of drivers have gotten to the point where their "freedom" turned into their "prison" in at least their own mind.

    Living 24/7 in a sleeper cab is not for everyone. There are a lot of us that love it, (or in my case loved it when I was doing it,) but there are an awful lot that are only doing it because they don't know what else to do. And from what I see on here, the way things have changed, I don't believe I would be even remotely interested in going back to it, even if I could.

    It doesn't matter what job you are in, what industry or who the employer is, there is gonna be a lot of stuff that you don't like. I can't stress enough that you need to take into consideration your family situation before making the move.

    Again, I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just want to try to get you to look at this from as many directions as possible. Good luck with whatever you decide.
     
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  9. OpenRoadGuy

    OpenRoadGuy Light Load Member

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    Big Don,

    I appreciate your advice and will take it very seriously. You are absolutely right, one person's definitition of freedom could be another's definition of a prison. I wouldn't be *seriously* thinking about this type of career if I didn't think it would appeal to me. Living out of a cab really appeals to me. In fact, to me, that is the *positive* part of the job. Fortunately, I'm not usually one to go into something and be surprised by the experience because I've researched it ahead of time.

    Let's just say, I understand the part about sleeping out of a cab, and being away from the family for 2 weeks before I get to spend time with them. I've talked things over with my wife, and we see the away for 2 weeks as a disadvantage, but ironically, if you knew what I go through at work, it's simply not as much of a disadvantage as you'd think.

    By the way, I also believe there are *advantages*.
     
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  10. Saddle Tramp

    Saddle Tramp Medium Load Member

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    :biggrin_25514:So you want to be a trucker & go otr. Do you have a 4 by 8 or a 6 by 8 closet . If you do, grab a chair & sit in it for 11 hours, taking breaks every 3 or 4 hrs. Thats what some trucks feel like. As a newbe you'll have a trainer trying to teach the rules of the road. Some good & some not so good. How about not seeing your wife & kids for 5=6 weeks. Home time 34 hr. restart, then out again for the same amount of time. stay were you are until the kids are grown, other wise you'll miss so much. my 2c:biggrin_25514:
     
  11. OpenRoadGuy

    OpenRoadGuy Light Load Member

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    East Stroudsburg, PA
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    I get the idea of staying in a cab for 11 hours in a day. Incidentally, 4 by 8 or 6 by 8 is larger then I expected LOL.

    Anyway, I'm going to admit, I don't like the idea of training. It looks like companies have you paired with a trainer for about 2 months, and during that time you don't get paid a ton. I have to admit, I will hate that with a passion. I can stand being stuck in a 4 by 8 sleeper, in fact, I honestly believe I won't mind it at all. But sharing that space with somebody, I'm going to hate that with a passion.

    So I'm expecting the first 3 months or so, I'll have very limited time with my family. But are you telling me that after I get some experience behind my belt, I won't be home ever?
     
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