So I passed school, got my CDL! But... Everybody wants 2+ yrs exp..

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What you see here may not be YOUR experience once you get to the company and through their training program.

I could tell you my experience just doing an interview with Werner, but that probably won't be your experience.

I've seen people give Covenant a hard time, but I'm on my way to Tennessee Sunday to start training. You get your time in and keep an eye open for local jobs that will take you based on your experience.

If Covenant works out for me, great! If not, that's ok too. It was a learning experience. I need 6 months OTR before local companies will look at me. Long-term I could take an OTR job locally, or get a passenger endorsement and get a job with a bus company. The sky is the limit after you do your time.


EDIT:
On second thought with that bus company...NAAAA!

 

Nothing wrong with confidence. It's great you have it. But on the fire department, we had rookies who had what we called Cowboy Courage. They were going to show us old farts (anyone over the age of 30) how it was done. Once paired up with one of us and sent into the belly of the beast, though, they learned quick there's more to fighting fire than putting the wet stuff on the red stuff. I would hate to see someone with your energy and enthusiasm get overwhelmed and discouraged due to lack of actual road training.

I had to do it too. Looking back, it was for the best even though I chose to butt heads with my trainer on occasion. Most times, though, he was crashed out in the bunk and I woke him up when I needed some help or a question answered. When I got into my own truck, I still had a lot of questions that I needed answers to. Not because he was a poor trainer. He was actually pretty good. That six weeks, even though it was a drag, really wasn't long enough before being thrown to the wolves.

Make the best of it. Please don't overestimate yourself or underestimate the road. And don't forget to have fun.

I wish you the best.

 

TruckerJoy, I am very excited for you. I agree with you. Driving a truck isn't too dificult. (except for grinding a few gears at first) There is more to just truck driving than just driving down the road. Trip planning, timing HOS and such on. I wish you best of luck and will be following this thread very closely! Good luck buddy!

 

I'll be honest, I'm enjoying my time with Covanent so far. I am on day 2 of my training and we are currently sitting at a truck stop on the Turnpike outside of Miami.

My trainer almost went off on a woman when we pulled into the receiver this morning. She would talk to her and immediately start talking in Spanish and laughing. Then she looked at her with an attitude and said, 'You can move over there because I got customer's.'

Whatever. I'm sure you will find that anywhere out here.

The only thing so far I have seen that gave me pause was the amount of truckers who throw their piss bottles away. Seriously, just stop and pee. It only takes a minute.

The first thing she said to me was, I don't let you pee on my truck. The minute you do that, you're off my truck.

Good enough with me.

 

I would really be careful about what starter company that you choose. Of all the major's, there is only one that i would recommend. Think..... Orange...... Other then that, there are a few more that are a little dependent on where you live. Check into WSE Transportation, but not sure if they are hiring right now. If they are, they may be taking fresh meat also.