New to trucking, need advice please.

I have a friend that has been there about 4 months (Knoxville Tn.). He complains about low miles. The word going around in my CDL school was the same, previous students left the company. Low Miles.

 

I think that a person that is relatively new to the industry may not be the best source of information. Very often new drivers are disappointed in their first driving job because it was not exactly as they had thought it should be. In other words they bailed out before giving the job and themselves a good shot at it. I always told graduating students that the worst thing they could do is start out as a job skipper. You should try to stick it out at the first job for at least a year. You may also find out that your initial dislike for a job improves as you improve and learn the ropes of a career you are totally new at. Hope that helps a little.

 

Semi Retired Semi Driver is absolutely right.... the job hopping in this industry is rediculouse... you cant finish the rce if you are always going back to the starting line.. which is what too many new drivers do... and it is always the same thing.. at first they are unhappy at a company, jump to another one, at first they are happy but then they arent and jump again... I have met new drivers who are on their 4th company with less than a year experience combined...

I am with a company that many on here get trash and consider a bottom feeder company... but, I am happy, getting plenty of miles and getting a good paycheck week after week...

I will also say, that as a driver I have learned and develped alot... I am a far more effective and effecient driver then I was my first year out... my trip planning is better, my time management is better and my driving skills are also way better... it also helps that I avoided the incident and accident pitfalls that many new drivers get into... I have never dinged up or even scratched a truck or trailer, I have had 2 level 1 inspections and passed both so I have never been put out of service, I have also never had a late load... that is really not something to brag about because it is what we as drivers are expected to do... but, too many new drivers do ding and dent their trucks and deliver late... then wonder why they dont get miles...

 

I wasnt sure where to post this question, so I apologize, if im in the wrong thread.
I recently ran a red light in my personal vehicle. I do not have a CDL yet, only a CDL permit. I am eligible for traffic school to keep the points off my license. If i take the traffic school course, that keep the violation off my motor vehicle record completely?

 

I would suggest that you call the DMV in your home state because every state has a different set of rules. Example in Michigan we don't have any program like you refer to.

 

My advice to the OP is simply to figure out, by research, asking truckers at Truck Stops and calling companies, what company sounds the best to you and go for it. Than no matter what, bar injury, sexual harassment or death, stay with that company at least 1 year and up to 3 years. Here is the thing future driver, it is going to take you at least a year, and up to 5 years, to get to a point where you have been around, seen enough and done enough through trial and error to be considered a novice driver. Don't listen to that BS about being a Professional Driver, just because you have, or will have, a CDL, does not in anyway, constitute you being a professional driver. As a company driver, you will find out if you want to pull a van, reefer, flat, step or tanker, and you may take 5 years to find out which one suits you. Once you find the trailer you want to pull, than take some more time to find that company that your happy 50% of the time with and you bring home $1000 a week before taxes, with benefits. That, is about the best your going to get, as a company driver, and all this can take up to 10 years! Now, if you do a lot of research now, you can shorten up that 10 year time span. As far as Everette goes, haven't heard too much bad about them.