Show-Me State Wannabe looking for suggestions!

Hello, folks.

This will be my first post on the forums, but I've lurked here for a couple of years. I've been seriously debating getting involved in the trucking industry, and since I've turned 21 about a month ago, I'm getting close to the point where I'm deciding whether or not to pull the trigger.

I currently do local pizza delivery for one of the Big Three chains. The job is simple enough, but the neighborhood I work at is terrible with tips and I really don't make as much as I'd like.


I've been researching taking the first steps in this field for awhile. Looking mostly at companies that do in-house training. From what I've read, Prime seems like the best bet in terms of going with a mega-carrier, since they're headquarters is in the same state and I've heard relatively good things about them compared to other starting companies. I'd also like to go into tankers at some point, and they have a tanker division.

Any advice for someone from the St. Louis area trying to get his feet wet? Any suggestions for companies I might have missed?


Thanks in advanced.

 

My only advice... don't go into it with rose colored glasses. Research thoroughly any prospective employer, read the fine print in their contracts, read the good and the bad on here, but also take it with a grain of salt... truck drivers aren't exactly known for being the most honest of folks, and someone could easily protest how they were unfairly fired from XX company, but "forget" to mention their multiple accidents during that time.

 

Prime would be a good start, but I would drive I think at least 6 mos to a year in a regular truck before trying to go over to tanker. In my opinion, a tanker is a lot more dangerous if you aren't careful, they will rollover a lot easier;experience handling a truck needs to be obtained first. The lightweight trucks, husband hated because of the size and some other dislikes. Do not go lease until you have a lot more experience in what you are doing.

Prime does not hound you, as long as you are doing your job. His dm's have been great, occassionally a load would be tight on time, or one impossible to work with because lack of hours in which case they would remove it with no harping.

 

Vega transport out if st. Louis mo hires and trains. Home every weekend

 

Prime Tanker would be a good choice. Make sure they understand tanker is what you're signing up for.

Witte Bros. in Troy has a CDL program, but it's refrigerated.

Comcar has their own CDL school and a tanker division, CTL Transportation. Not sure if they put their new CDL students in the tanker division or not, you would have to ask them.

 

Hey everyone. Sorry for the late reply, but I've been tossing my options around since I started the thread.


I've decided that I will be going with Prime when the time comes, but I will hold my current job for a couple more months to pay off some small bills and tie up some loose ends. Also taking one last "luxury trip" with my dad in June before I begin my OTR career.

I've found a website that has a bunch of practice CDL tests. I scored high 80's/low 90's in all the sections except pre-trip (42%. Nothing to be proud of). This was all without even opening up a CDL manual, so it at least tells me where I need to focus my study efforts.

Hopefully I'll be posting in these forums again when I decide to start my career. I'll most likely go back to lurking and picking up useful tidbits of information from other posters. Thank you all for your contributions to this forum. You are a great help to people in the industry and those who want to be a part of it!

 

Grab it by the horns, kick it in the nuts, and rock on. Best of luck to you, and do keep us posted.

 

Vega Transport out of St Louis brings their people weekly home and still they make 3000 miles weekly. They got the new 2018 Cascadia white, before that they had them Blue 670 Volvos.. My buddy lives in St Louis Missouri and runs company for them...

 

Your answering a nearly 4yr old post/thread
Look in the lower left corner of the last post.

 

Pre trip is easy. When you consider everything that is attached, bolted to and other wise part of the semi tractor and trailer. Nothing is fluff. Every part has a importance.

You will learn eventually. Remember that stress comes with learning.

If Busch ever loads your van or reefer with kegs, you are a tanker for all intents and purposes. I remember the liquid sloshing in the Seagrams Bottles going to Seagrams in Baltimore via sea ships imported containers.