New To The Industry

Start the applications now; don't wait. Don't listen to the "debbie-downers"; trucking is a great career and you can see the country.

 

I'll tell you exactly how I did it when I was in your position. I completed a 2 month 320 hour CDL course from a local trade school on 6/24/2010 and was driving an 18 wheeler on 6/26/2010. I opened a phone book(at the time I had no internet or convenient access to it) and started calling local trucking companies about 2 weeks before "graduation."


Out of 6 companies I talked to I found one that didn't look and feel shady that would also consider hiring me. They had a fleet of about 30 trucks. I wound up hauling raw milk. I trained for a week at 100 bucks a day and was driving on my own week 2. I made 56k my first full year, but I worked ridiculously long hours. The point I'm making is there's an attitude that you have to be OTR with a big company to make money and that's not always true.

Get out there and make some local connections and see what's going on right by you. I'm not knocking big companies or the Over the Road lifestyle, I've done that too (also with a local company). I'm just saying it is a benefit to get with a small fleet whose owner really has it together. When you prove your worth with a smaller company you have a lot more job security and negotiation power as opposed to the mega carrier where people are picked up and put down like belongings. Just my opinion based on my own experience only.

Anyway, congratulations on the beginning of what could very well be a rewarding career. What your about to get into won't be easy. Sometimes you'll hate it but if you really want it and stick with it you will become a professional and you will make money. Just apply as much effort as you can and have respect for this industry. Although it can be cruel at times, it will be good to you.

 

Definitely get your applications in now. I did before CDL School. I have two weeks to go in School. I accepted a job last Friday. I have 8 offers for jobs.
I do think OTR is going to be a great life. You ever wonder why all those people, working in those places everyday, are so miserable? I don't know OTR drivers to be miserable. I'm looking forward to plenty of fun. Wake up not knowing where I'm at. Basically free, out there. No idiot breathing down the back of your neck while you're expected to perform miracles for him. ... I'm not saying trucking is without problems. Everything has problems.
Right now is a great time to get into trucking. The industry is exploding right now. Rates going up. Work your way into becoming an O/O. You'd be impressed at the money you can make.
I just want to congratulate you on your first step toward a great career.

 

Read all of the SMALL prints and stay the HE'LL AWAY FROM "CRST", they will use the ky jelly on you with the money they make off of you. Trust me, I was there 2/17 and watch many walk out of orientation even owner opps because they tried to make them train.. If you go, bring plenty of money because you will have to pay for your own food and keep money on you to catch a bus or plane home from any where in the US. I've done seen trainers who are owner opps, not company drivers put students out of their trucks. Please don't let this happen to you

 

You Sir are a liar, you know dam well they dont bother with ky. Lol

 

Super nice people there, they are my first choice when I graduate. AIT and Werner are in bed with each other. Schneider is my second.

Listen to @Chinatown he knows what he's talking about. He's helped me a bunch.

 

All he did was your work for you.
He just googled all the stuff for you.
You could of gotten the same info doing your own recherch.
And often just cuts and paste sections of company adds.