Newbie in need of advice

Kinard out of York pa is another option for you. Not sure what their policy is on student drivers but I have a friend that works there and he's happy. Mostly local work 90% drop and hook. I'd say stay away from reefer also can be a pain in the rear.........but than again welcome to trucking. Lol

 

I don't know about you but I would want to think I did all there was to do to get a job. I would want to try every method that I could do just for peace of mind. You're going to have a lot of windshield time which makes you think a lot. You can drive yourself crazy thinking you might have had a better job if you would have checked. If you just settled on what comes along then you'll always wonder. Give it all you can so you'll have no excuses to tell yourself later. If you try them all then you'll know. I recommend that you find out about jobs on your own and don't do what everyone else is doing.

 

youve gotten alot of good advise would like to add once you get started if otr dont make a rash decesion about it you have alot to learn & can become fustrating I tell new drivers you need to give it a good year for your body & mind to adjust living & working otr never be afraid to ask for advise I wish you well on your new job

 

Keep in mind, your school is only going to recommend a handful of mega-carriers only reason being is that they are paid by them to do so. Nothing wrong with that but there are quite a lot more options out there than newbies don't know about. The schools just make it so easy to get hired on with those carriers that most just follow the herd.

Take your time and do your research. Every driver has their own needs so don't make your decision based on driver opinion.

 

When you see a truck parked, go talk to the driver. Talk to both local and OTR drivers, but remember about 50% may be BS, thats just how truckers are. Most will give you all sorts of info, especially about their company, their situation, maybe, their pay.
Do your homework.

 

I always love talking shop with others. I know I only have a year experiance but the company I drive for does everything from live haul to gravel to overwide cement building panels. And I have been trained to know all areas of the biz I drive for. So if you do decide to go for it and yes there are rude drivers out there just ignore them. Lol I do.

 

CDL mills also recommend megacarriers because they chew newbies up and spit them out . High turnover means steady profit for CDL mills .
There are local companies that will train drivers but you have to seek them out . Many will not require CDL mill training .

 

Don't let your age worry you. In alot of ways it can and will work in your favor. You're young enough to be around for awhile but old enough to have most of your "wild hairs" worn off.

You might give tanker a thought or two. We're generally at the upper end of the pay scale.