Need advice please

You may have a better chance to get a Midwest regional driving job than a local job unless things have changed. When I started driving in '98 you need 2 - 3 years experience to drive local. You also need to start looking for a place to park your truck when you go home. You are usually paid by the mile and a good average is 2500 miles a week. Some weeks will be more and some less. 6 months experience and you could pull containers out of the Chicago rail yards for JB Hunt. Good luck with your new chosen career.

 

Reefer is short for refrigerated trailer.

 

Don't pay attention to the whiners & complainers. The larger the company, the more whiners. People complain when they're unemployed and then complain about the company that finally hires them. That's part of American culture. Many whiners in trucking usually have problems they bring on themselves, and don't take personal responsibility to correct the problems. You will see truck drivers sitting in a TV lounge at a truck stop, complaining about not getting many miles, then bragging about how they refused a load and told their dispatcher off. The whiners always will tell you how they regret turning down a great job or the great job they have lined up somewhere else or they don't really need this job anyway because they have other irons in the fire somewhere. You see drivers post on here, about how terrible trucking is, etc. yet they've been driving for years and have no intention of changing careers. So, find a company that suits your needs and go for it!!!!

 

LTL = Less than Truckload. AKA Freight. You live in the Chicago area, chances are you will have a good shot at landing a local gig. I keep hearing people say you need 1 - 3 years experience. It is a trucking myth. Don't let anyone on here discourage you from finding a local job.

 

Keep one thing in mind...If you don't have a good start, you will not have a good finish! I started my career the old fashioned way....not sure about the new way, but school is a good start. My sister got her CDL a few years ago and watching her I grew a lot of respect for female drivers...lord the stories. Out of personal experience...as much trash you will hear on the radio, most drivers will actually look out for you.
With satellite communication system, GPS trackers, cell phones and the internet...you will have everything necessary to get past the rough patches. If you are flexible in your lifestyle, self motivated, determined and crazy as hell, you couldn't ask for a better career...Good luck and welcome aboard!!!