So... what's the best advice to succeed?

^^I understand your feelings about not naming the company you have chosen...especially in a general forum like this...but make sure you find the forum for your company and at least listen in on the chatter. After a while you will start to get a feel for the place, and you can start getting some advice more specific to your company. And, as njnoob advises, select a backup company or two and listen in on their chatter too.

Good luck to you and all the noobs and wannas!

 

Yes the hours are long, and many of them will essentially be "for free". But I hate to see anyone with wife and family go into this but it sounds like you've educated yourself on the career choice and obviously have weighed it alongside any other options you may/may not have depending on where you reside. Trucking (driving) requires certain natural skill-sets, some have them some don't, some learn them, some can't. If you can't, get out as soon as you realize this is not your calling. To stay in too long trying desperately to "make it work" will either destroy your life, your family's life, or potentially some other family's life, or all three.

What I'm trying to say is, this trade is not for everybody and for some it is a match made in heaven, but those who it is not for, should not be in it (for everyone's sake). I'm not saying to get frustrated early (and you will) and give up, I'm saying you need to be able to recognize when you're not pursuing your true destiny. But I suspect for most, they learn inside their first 4 weeks solo if they're doing what they "should" be doing, or not. Problem is, some feel obligated to struggle through, and sometimes this can be dangerous and costly.

 

Unfortunately, many of us are learning too late, that most PROFESSIONS are being commoditized by the Internet, so that college degree is becoming less and less usefull, now, I ask, how can the TRADES be commoditized by the Internet or automation???

Someone HAS to drive the truck, hit the nail, lay the brick and fix the pipes, Internet won't do that!!!!

Law = fast becoming a joke, I know...
Finance = say bye bye to comissions as the Internet gets the clients direct
IT = reach a certain age, and PRESTO, you're gone!!!
Design = ditto for the Internet comment...

The world of work is changing before our eyes, and the TRADES are back to the future for the middle class...

 

and yet nobody ever gets anywhere in life without laughing. Lighten up, we're all terminal, there's not one of us getting out alive.

 

Don't job hop. Having multiple employers on your resume looks just as bad to a potential employer as having multiple accidents.

Also, do note that your first job is there to set you up for your 2nd. Stay at your first job as long as you can. Then, use that experience and longevity to get your second. Your second job should be the one you retire with.

 

Be safe, be courteous, be on time.

 

This brings up a point many new to this job aren't very good at, especially in the beginning ... waking up at all hours and self-motivating yourself to get out of bed and get moving. Some can sleep through a freight train horn and simply can not function immediately upon waking up. Those guys are going to have problems as drivers if they can't train themselves to be "morning people" very quickly.

 

Stay with your 1st company as long as possible. Carefully pick the next ( if the first doesn't suit, it may) take notes on different companies, talk to the drivers, but remember alot maybe BS.

As for endorcements, unless that 1st company needs an endorcement or twic or passport, wait til you are getting ready to move to get the endorcements, twic or passport they cost money. Yes you could get that perfect job offer, but the best usually require at least a yr. ( at least wait that long).

Another thing to look for is a company that's "freight line" is near your home. We have a driver that manages to get home (usually) once a week, just overnite as a stop off, but still. He tries to do his reset their and manages it alot.

After you get the experience you need, don't overlook local jobs, some pay very well.

 

Guess again. That's about what you will clear after taxes and expenses. We talking about being gone 2-4 weeks at a time, working 70 hours per week.

You said you have kids, the paltry wages of OTR trucking will never be worth being away from your family.

 

My husband cleared $600 - $700 a week as a company driver, to the bank. AFTER HIS WEEKLY ADVANCE for his own use. Yes, for a mega company. Not every week, but that was the average while he was there. (Total income/number of weeks). Best advice I can give you: quitting is not an option. Go in with that mindset.