Me and my brother want to start trucking, help appreciated

Good career choice.
I recommend go to the community college, then sign up with Lynden Transport as a team. Lynden hires new cdl school graduates. Lynden runs teams from Houston, to Alaska and back. www.lynden.com
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2nd choice, sign up with FFE (Frozen Food Express) for their cdl school and team operation after graduation. www.ffeinc.com
@TravR1 can fill you in on FFE teams and the $80K he's making as his cut of the team pay.

 

Community college is your best bet. Being able to pay your own way is a huge plus. You won’t be bound by contract to any company that hires you.

And there’s a very long list of companies that will. Take your pick.

As far as which company to choose. That’s a tough call. For teams, the sky’s the limit. What to be home every weekend and make 12-1500 a week. It’s there. Want to spit $4400 a week? It’s there.

Research is important. But be realistic with what you need and want. As a team, you’ll be balls to the wall on most runs. There won’t be any time during the run to goof around. Especially if you’re on a dedicated run.

Choose wisely

 

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Be prepared for hair follicle and urine drug tests in trucking these days.

 

Lone Star Community College Transportation Institute in Spring is your way to go if you live in Houston.

I got my cdl there was was more than happy with their program.

 

After you get your CDL your first company will give you on-the-job-training. Typically it is 6-8 weeks of riding with an experienced driver-trainer. THAT is where you learn 90% of this job. You will get disptached, route-plan, drive to get loaded, and drive to get unloaded. You will do this over and over during that OJT period. It is unusual for 3 people to be in the truck, 2 students and 1 trainer. It is also difficult for many people to sleep in the truck while it is going down the road.

The most important decision is to decide where to work your first year, and not rush to volunteer to work for a bad company just to get experience. The majority of first year drivers DO NOT COMPLETE 1 year of experience before leaving the industry. Working for a bad company and working for a good company can be the difference between getting through the difficult period of OJT and first few months solo and then on to a long career or getting little to no training, having a minor accident or two and being unwanted at the better company for years, if ever.

FIRST pick an employer to work for THEN use that "destination" to decide how to get your CDL license.

Be prepared for you and your brother to get separate OJT training at the same company and then to team. There is about as much room in a semi-truck as in a small hotel/apartment bathroom, but without the working toilet. Imagine 3 people living in that space, sleeping, driving 24 hours per day. Not only does that mean no space for storing stuff but it's stressful and probably difficult to sleep in. It's far easier to live in the truck by yourself, after you learn the job, than to share the space with 1 or 2 other people.
STAY AWAY FROM CR ENGLAND and Western Express

 

Everything you said is absolutely correct. But with a minor fault.

There are companies that train 3 to a truck. 3 bunks. Personally, I’d never do it. For reasons you listed.

And there are companies that train teams, putting everyone in a motel at the end of the day. While that may seem ideal, it may not be. Also for reasons you listed.

I saw a single student with enough bags, it made me wonder wtf did he leave at home. I didn’t stick around. But I’m sure that day was wasted as he sorted must haves from what would be put in storage at our terminal. I can’t imagine 2 getting on a truck with that much gear.

 

Hopefully the OP comes back and tells us a little more about what they're looking for.

My boss would love to have a couple guys running team hauling reefer freight lol.

 

my advise, dont team together