The real reality

The Industry to the newbie

I started thinking about how many people go into companies and his industry without doing research. The trucking industry can be cruel if you do not how to make it work for you. Companies like Werner, Covenant, USX all have 70+ people going to orientation every date they have. In addition, they have trainers out there that will run you like a slave rather than train you PROPERLY and are in it for money.

Some companies put two trainees to a truck. No I am not joking and it is sad. How can one even learn like this and get the experience to upgrade?? If you get lucky and get a good trainer who trains you right, you'll do good. You will have some tough times and not know who to go to but you will learn.

When I went to Roadmaster Drivers School, I heard recruiters explaining to potential students that we have companies who will hire you and you'll make good money. They also said lets make a decision together. They also bring in recruiters who sound like use car salesman. When I went in to sit down for a Werner recruiting speal, I almost laughed as the guy sounded like a salesman. I even told the school head of training and he said thats all some people have. Wrong!! Ok, lets face it, this is not the truth. Newbies listen up: If you aren't cut for OTR like I was take the following advice:

Apply locally and start going through the phone book and driving to these places. Show your face at local business and even offer to do a driving test for them. Doing that may get you the job. Yes we all want a job driving but in the meantime work during something else until that opportunity arises. Until this economy gets better, we all have to help each other out and survive. I hope this helps potential drivers not get conned in by bad companies. Good companies for newbies include:

Schneider
Squire
Windy Hill
CFI
Trans Am
FFE
Cargo Express

Good luck newbies and remember never give up. Just because one rejects you still does not mean you have to give it up.

KH

 

You hear drivers complain about TA and FFE but they are more friendly than some of the evils people keep complaining about. I mentioned it and I will say it again; I'll get into retail doing whatever Wal-Mart or any of them want to put me to work as before I go to CRE. TA pressures you into lease if you live outside their hiring area for students. I live in Central FL and was told this.

Now I may be just a newbie writing all this, but look at my diary of going with the O/O. Did I mess up? I made a lot of mistakes just like any other green horn; However, I did but found out quickly I aint cut out for OTR just yet.

I mentioned those companies based on talking to drivers of those companies. Did they mention negative things? Yes but said if you do your job you will get the miles with them. Squire does a phone interview before they bring you up for orientation in Indiana. They are small but pull Knight freight (they are owned by them) and it makes drivers who live in FL easier to get home and out.

KH