Setting myself up for success

Being picky about your first job is the most important step in your trucking career. The job is hard enough, no matter who you work for. Getting through the time you might share a truck with a trainer, between CDL school and getting your own assigned truck is the hardest time for most drivers. Starting at a lower quality company that adds too much or too little freight. Not enough maintenance on trucks and trailers, not enough home time, or frequent disputes on how much you were supposed to get paid make it more difficult. I recommend you don't work for ANY trucking company until you have communicated with enough of their current working drivers, doing the type of work you are applying for, to feel like you really know what you are walking into. Ignore what any recruiter or any web site says about the company. Talk to drivers at the company and find how the details they are experiencing.

 

I think Chinatown has a multi-terabyte database with some serious search capabilities.
It's something he has been compiling and adding to for many, many years.

That is my theory, anyway.

 

I know Schneider will take drivers fresh out of school and train them on tanker. It's a five week orientation in Houston or PA depending on your location. They also do tuition reimbursement. I'm doing dry van and I'm happy with them thus far. Running hard and netting no less than 1k per week as a noob. Got my own truck and nobody bothers me as long as I do my job.

 

I'm on a dedicated run that has me home every other night and I take a 34 at home every weekend. You can check the Schneider job board to see what's available in your zip code. They have home daily options as well, but not sure about that option for tanker. Find truck driving jobs near you | Schneider

I wanted to do tanker first as well. Got all my endorsements and TWIC. Hauling fuel around here pays 100k a year and you're home daily but everyone wants one year of experience. Said screw it and started with dry van. Glad I did. I've made some noob mistakes already and I'm glad I'm not in a tanker full of hazmat!