OTR may be for me, questions and concerns.

Hello everyone. I'm interested in becoming an OTR truck driver and thought I should come here for some objective advice to supplement what recruiters might tell me. A little about me:

I feel that, given my current life situation, I'm in an ideal position to become a truck driver. I'm a 26 year old male, and I now live with my mother after breaking it off with my long term girlfriend. I'm in the process of selling my vehicle. The point is, I have zero expenses besides food, no family besides my mother and brother, and no obligations. I could be on the road for 2 months straight and nobody would care. Time away from home is one of the main concerns that I'm seeing, and this is something that wouldn't bother me or my loved ones.

As far as employability, I have three concerns. First, my credit is likely poor. I settled 2 credit cards, 1 vehicle loan, and was evicted for financial reasons in 2008. I'm out of debt now, but I fear the damage to my credit has been done. How will this affect me in looking for work? Second, my employment history is spotty with 2 stretches of unemployment. I worked from 2004-2005, unemployed until late 2006, worked from 2006-2008, unemployed again, then went to school. I've read that companies like 10 years of employment history and no gaps, so I'm not sure where I stand in this regard. Lastly, my driving record. In the last 2-3 years, I've been ticketed twice for illegal left turns. 4 years ago I was at fault for an accident. The plus, I suppose, is that I have no criminal record. So overall, how does my employment picture look?

Finally, I just want to make sure I'm clear about how to set everything in motion. I will first need to attend a school and obtain my CDL. I will then need to be hired as a trainee by an OTR company and ride along for a few months. Once trained, I will be able to do solo OTR driving. Is this correct? Can anyone recommend a CDL school in southern california (ventura county or SFV)? Thanks for the help.

 

From what I know, very little by comparison, credit shouldn't make any difference. As a company driver most don't check your credit and if you choose to lease then most will work it out regardless of your credit because they'll make a ridiculous amount of money off of you.

Employment record won't stop you from getting on with most "starter" companies. I haven't worked in two years and I have 6 pre-hires. Those tickets shouldn't hurt too bad since they're really minor and most are forgiving of accidents if you don't have a significant history. Again, starter companies will likely take you with little problem.

I wish I had started this career when I was in a situation similar to yours. I have a wife and 2.5 year old son that I don't want to leave.

If i had your circumstances I'd either go military or trucking.

Best of luck.

 

I think the companies will be more concerned with tickets and accidents than all the other stuff. I went bankrupt and was unemployed for the last two years and got hired. I first went to Swift, but did not like the way they do things, so now I am with a company that hauls gravel, asphalt and other stuff with an end dump trailer. I now drive a 2009 Peterbuilt with no govenor, no qualcom, no log books (local) and make $800 a week and I am home every night.

It was great once I got away from the training companies. Unfortunately that is what you want to go to OTR. I wish you the best of luck.

I did not like the low pay, poor treatment by driver (no)support, governed trucks, and being treated like a three year old by trainer that had a ton of personal problems. Heck the the guy abandon his kids, 2 of them to his mother and 2 of them to his sister. I also had another trainer that got fired for doing drugs while training me. I am not bitter, I learned that I will never let someone that can't manage their own life tell me how to drive a truck safely... It will never happen again.

 

Thank you both for the input. I'd love to hear from more people. Also, I'm looking at Dootson school in either arcadia or ventura. Anyone familiar with them?

 

Dootson has some videos on youtube that you can watch if you're interested.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dootson

 

All I can comment on is the social aspect. It sounds like you will be able to handle the OTR life.

I only did one year and was able to land a local dedicated route that gets me home every night.

Mikeeee

 

For what it's worth, I've had a couple discussions today with recruiters regarding spotty employment history. Mine was solid up until the last three years, the factory I worked at for 12 yrs sold us out and closed. I think what they (at least the two I spoke w/today) are looking for, whether employed or not, is what you were doing while unemployed and documenting it for them. One asked for that to be done and get it notarized and send it to them.

 

I've had to send all my unemployment records to a couple of companies, once done they said it was no problem. Maverick was the exception and they required no more than 18 consecutive months of unemployment previous to the application date.

 

Thanks for the replies. Jack, I didn't mention it, but I worked from june-sept this year so I'm not 18 months out. I think I'm going to pull the trigger on CDL school and get this ball rolling. Thanks again everyone, additional input is always appreciated.

 

The starters will take you........they take most everyone. Beware......BEWARE, of the repayment agreement you will be required to sign (for company sponsored training). Yes, you have to pay, nothing is free. And there are folks here that will say "get your CDL, then screw the agreement". The companies will not let it go and will chase you to the end of the earth for their money.

Otherwise, the starters are a good option......(sic)