Schneider

As I understand. It's kinda tough starting today.
This sounds good enough to start. Bear with the first year. Lots of BS everywhere.
I like how it appears they are training. You don't need no three months in a truck to learn.
I always mention....you might ask those good trainers....when backing into a tight spot...if you have the front room...mark where your trailer tandems are...then drop the tandems back all the way... I can thread a needle with a trailer like that backing. It's much easier. No trailer swing.
I'd hesitate on ownership or leasing. Not good in the industry right now. Also...to avoid politics...but... I wouldn't invest in a taco cart right now.

 

Schneider is a great place to start while you get your feet wet in this industry. There are a lot of things about this industry that give it a very high turnover rate. Things like the loneliness factor, you will be by yourself most of the time out on the road. If you don't like being alone, your not going to make it very far in this industry. Food is super expensive in truck stops, you won't always be home on holidays and special occasions you will either be on the road or sitting in an Operating Center, or stuck in a truck stop somewhere waiting to load or deliver. Trucks break down and when it happens you may be stuck in a much less than desirable location waiting for someone to come rescue you or the truck to get fixed. There's a lot to this and it all requires a lot of mental toughness to survive it. Being a company driver for a large fleet has a lot of benefit, being an OO has a lot of liability to go with the benefits. Until you know what those are and how to compensate for them you would do well to just remain a company driver.

 

One other thought...if you haven't found out...
The CA bridge distance is a magical sweet spot. They actually put alot of thought into it. Basically it's your rear tandem, ten feet from the back of the trailer. That distance will carry anything under 80k total and stay legal. As long as the load is evenly distributed. ... Always check..... I had a punk load pallet bales of mint leafs heavy in the back...

 

Another thing....
Cabelas is a definite plus. Day deliveries. Or at least not the middle of the night. Stay away from reefer. Reefer is night, day, night, day. I lived overtired when doing reefer.

 

Better paying jobs can come in the beginning. Just have to know where to apply l.

 

Then why don’t you post some better paying jobs that are hiring newbies?

 

All beginning companies suck.

They're all pretty much the same with a different name on the door.

The question for you is where do you want to be in a few years as a professional driver?

You DO NOT want to job for that first year. So choose wisely.

Job hopping is the kiss of death to getting on with a good company after you do your year.

Also explore teamster / local union where you are. They do take green drivers.

May The OM be with you.