I'm looking for a few good hearted drivers

i have to agree with you about the job hopping. Even the " training companies" have long term drivers who make a pretty good living. Why? Because they stayed there. Bouncing around gets you nowhere.

 

Communication is what destroys relationships, not the lack of being there. Being gone for weeks at a time doesn't mean you can't call your other half every day.

 

I will say do not job hop do your research before you go to a company . Because.to keep your record looking good for the better companies they are going to want to see you staying at least a year at a time with the places you work . My last job I was there 7 years I ended up leaving because the owner retired and sold the company to another company that would not maintain the trucks and would try to get you to push the log book a little . Usually a lot of the starter companies move you into decent pay brackets when you get experienced and some like Schneider have good dedicated accounts so I encourage everyone to look very carefully at their situation before leaving a job . Especialy if your driver with seniority and getting better runs you won't have that starting out at a new place .

 

I am by no means an 'old-timer' (and I use that term with the utmost respect for those who are), but I have -- hopefully -- learned a thing or two in the last couple years. I'll share three that have directly affected me. Take it for what it's worth.

First would be, know what you're getting into and make sure your family (your spouse, significant other, etc.) is completely okay with the trucker's lifestyle (especially with OTR). If there are doubts, don't do it. You WILL lose one or the other (career or family).
Second, if you go to a company to get your CDL/training, stick with them for a year, if at all possible. I'll echo the sentiments of a couple drivers before me -- The grass is NOT always greener. Yes, it will suck at times, and sometimes more than others. But if you are serious about trucking, stick it out.
Third, if you have an accident (lets say a rollover), it does not have to be the end of your driving career. It IS a definite speedbump. But again, if you are serious about trucking, don't give up. Take a refresher course from Sage or something, and keep looking. (I finally got a little luck from a smaller company -- 50+- trucks. And yes, the rollover was entirely my fault.)

Best of luck to you,

Leadfoot

 

I have decided to start a new carreer with transam at age 53. My family is raised and work is hard to find these days. Some inspiration from drivers is hard to find. Its what you put into it is what counts. Im sure im goung to have some regrets but the long run is what im looking for.

 

Are you leasing? If so find transam Pete on here. He's doing it and seems to have figured out how to make it work.
Personally I would never lease a truck. But that's just me.