Information Overload

im one of those that feel like you can NEVER be given too much information. Now it CAN seem like overload when you are reading the same things time and time again.

From the things i've read on here i think that there are only 2... schools that a MAJORITY on here say STAY AWAY FROM AT ALL COST!

What schools are you deciding from?

 

Unless your dad owns a good sized trucking company, I don't know of anyone who started and stayed at their first company for life. If you stay in this industry you'll end up switching companies several times, might even loop back around to your first more than once.

I'd fret it some but not kill myself over it. It's like worrying that your prom date isn't marriage material. You'll move on several times from your first.

Good luck.

 

I'm sure you know, but just remember to do your research and decide what is best for YOU. Try not to let others opinions effect your decision to much. You will not find to many compliments because most people like to complain.

 

Ah! So it's not just me! lol A few short weeks ago I felt basically the same way. "What to do? Where to go?!" Felt like pulling my hair out. I'd researched & read & taken notes on various companies; kept flipping pages after pages of my notes, reading & re-reading. Finally I decided to just try to get it all on one sheet, sort of like a spread sheet. Picked out the top 4 or 5 things that were most important to me, set up columns on the sheet, & began filling in the info. Got it done, sat down with my bride, talked it over with her, & I made a choice. Oh, I'd add praying to that, but I'd already been doing that for a long time already.
Of course, even after I'd made the decision & was scheduled for orientation, I'd see a truck from one of the companies I didn't choose, & wonder if I'd made the right choice. Viscous cycle, isn't it? lol Well, I realized that wouldn't be helpful at all during orientation, so I just told myself, "Stop it! You've chosen a company; you're going to orientation & training & going to work! Control what you can control & let the rest sort itself out." That approach seems to be working. I'm with a company, getting good training, & on my way.

 

I think it takes a while for people to realize that trucking (within their own form - van/flatbed/tanker etc) is pretty much the same. The actual act of driving - turning the wheel, parking the truck, bumping the dock etc. Those that loop back? Who knows - sometimes it's just jiving better with your personality. When you first learn and get out on your own - it's sensory overload.

As to coming across "bad information" - remember there's what, 3 million drivers out there? Even if you added up everyone posting on forums like this - you're not touch on all of them, not even close. You're getting a pretty small picture of the company you're interested in.

 

Narrow your focus; decide if you want flatbed, tanker, reefer, (dry van pays least). Pick one type of trucking and aim for that at graduation with your applications & pre-hires.

Some companies do hire new CDL graduates for tanker & some have their own tanker schools. Get all the endorsements : tanker/hazmat plus passport & TWIC. These are things you can do now to be prepared for the best paying jobs, once you get that CDL.

 

Google decision matrix. Basically you put all of your choices in a chart on the top. Then list the things that are important to you. Assign a weight to each one and then fill in the chart. Helps make the right decision most of the time. It will take emotions out of your decision.