Most Important Questions From New Drivers Threads

Lets put it this way, I checked into a dispatcher position and the first thing I was told was "Your pay depends on how much you allow the driver to make" in other words, if you are against screwing a driver you don't make much. Think about it.

 

LOL...certainly NOT a myth! I honestly couldn't tell u how many Werner "drivers" have told me that going with Ole Blue was the worst career and financial decisions they'd ever made! IMO, even Swift or JB Hunt (also members of the elite "I wish I had proper training" group of drivers) would be better to work for... Then again that's a pretty hard call! Just a heads up on who catches absolute hell for having poorly trained drivers and s#%& pay, ill try to list the top 5 worst of the worst...1) Prime 2) Werner 3) Swift 4) USA Trucking 5) JB Hunt. O and let's not dare to leave CR England off the list...That would be criminal on my part!
Sorry for being so blunt! Best of luck to you!

 

I lost my job back in September. I started a long path of self discovery following that. In October I decided to go on a road trip. I bought a GPS and hit the road. I drove for 27 days and covered 9800 miles. I left Boston on Columbus Day weekend with a route planed. I drove from MA-WY-AZ-FL and back to MA. The entire time it was just me, no radio and a different landscape every day.

I was looking for an answer as to what was next for me. I discovered a lot about myself and gained peace with many things from my past. The true answer I found was to live with NO regrets.

Then my world got shaken up a bit more. I'm in jeopardy of losing my home and I still don't have a job. There is absolutly nothing holding me here any more. What to do? Well, I obviously love to drive, love the views and have no problem being by myself. Hmmm...What can I do with that?

The Need to Roll is upon me and I'm not going to live with the regret of not taking the chance. I have enrolled in driving school and want to drive OTR. It's a true departure from my past but I'm being called to the road for a reason.

Being so green is a BAD thing and I need guidance so I don't get chewed up and spit out. Any advice???

 

You've come to the right place!


Best advice choose your 1st company VERY wisely it can and will make you or break you......If your up for a BIG change just make sure you take your time do your research and make smart decisions and you'll be just fine.



American Trucker

 

When I get my days at home and we can take the truck home but don't have the room for the trailer where is the best places to find for the trailer??

 

Look around where you live. There's a moving company up the road from me that lets truckers park their trailers on a corner of their lot while on hometime. Just have to go in and fill out a short form so they know about it. I never got around to filling out the form since I'd found a small motel/gas station 3 miles up the road that had room for several trailers out back. I just asked if they minded and they didn't. 5 miles up the road was another gas station that didn't mind. 18 miles in the other direction was an old truck stop that didn't mind. 13 miles north is a Pilot that probably would have minded with a motel across the road that probably wouldn't mind. Never asked.

Just look around for anyone that has a trailer sized space that they aren't using for anything. Make sure to ask them first and always put 4x4's under your landing gear.

 

Need to roll, I agree with American Trucker...do your research and choose wisely. You've come to the right place as this forum has a TON of info. I'm in your same shoes...always loved driving, taking road trips and enjoy my own company so I've looked into it. I've been unemployed and cannot find work in southern CA (have my Bachelor's degree, was in sales before) because there is simply too many unemployed in CA.
Anyway, I just sent my application and hope to be attending classes soon (Central Refriderated Serv). For me, I'm embracing the change. Good luck to you!

 

Thank you for ur encouragment. I look at the work pool as being way to deep right now. I need to satisfy my basic need to enjoy what I do. I have enrolled in NTTS in Liverpool, NY and will be starting June 20. In the process of packing an entire house down to one room. Cutting the load of wanted to needed. I truely think I have found my place in the capitalistic food chain.
Good luck to you with school and remember to always enjoy the view.

 

My personal advice to new drivers will be: Don't try to drive alone, even if you went to school. An experienced co-driver can teach you a lot and save your life " God forbid smth happens"
Also find a good company, not too big, not too small. A company where you wouldn't be just a "Unit Number" All new drivers need a bit more personal attention from the safety dept. at the begging.
Find a company that has good orientation program and if possible for the beginning of your journey as a truck driver, find a company with steady freight.
Once you have had enough experience, you can move to single driving, open dispatch etc. It will be foolish to go on the open road alone, since no new driver has enough experience to know how to react in bad situations. Good Luck to you!

 

Four weeks ago I moved from Florida to Chicago,
I got my license back in Fl and finnaly i am ready for my first trip -
tonight I am leaving to Kansas City, MO.