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Tips? Advice?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Road2dreams, Jun 30, 2012.

  1. Jun 30, 2012 #1
    Road2dreams

    Road2dreams Bobtail Member

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    Jun 30, 2012
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    After spending a year helping a driver pick his loads, do trip planning and other paperwork and nearly 2 months riding along with him, I have decided to get my CDL so I can drive too. The plan is to go to a "starter company" to get my CDL and the experience I need, then join him at the company he is with to drive team with him. (Yes I realize that may not happen as planned but we do have other companies to look at if that becomes necessary) I was just wondering if any of the trucking vets out there had any advice to give someone new to the industry.

    Just to be clear I am not looking for "Don't go to this company" or "This company is the best/worst". I am looking for the kind of advice that only someone who knows the industry can give. (Saving money by getting food/supplies at walmart rather than the truck stops for example.)

    Any advice you could give would be higly appreciated.

    Thanks for your time
     
    Road2dreams, Jun 30, 2012
    Road2dreams, Jun 30, 2012
    #1
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  3. Jun 30, 2012 #2
    Elendil

    Elendil Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 27, 2011
    Ottawa, IL
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    Don't go to a company school, period. Go to an independent school so you can work wherever you wish.
     
    Elendil, Jun 30, 2012
    Elendil, Jun 30, 2012
    #2
  4. Jun 30, 2012 #3
    spkrblst

    spkrblst Bobtail Member

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    Jun 27, 2012
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    My husband is just starting out and we found this website to be really helpful as far as buying products/appliances for your truck:
    http://www.12volt-travel.com
     
    spkrblst, Jun 30, 2012
    spkrblst, Jun 30, 2012
    #3
    Road2dreams Thanks this.
  5. Jun 30, 2012 #4
    AZS

    AZS Honk if anything falls off

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    Sep 30, 2010
    PHX, AZ
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    good plan, that's what I did (minus the driving with a dude at the end of it) and look how I turned out. Successful, witty and handsome.
     
    AZS, Jun 30, 2012
    AZS, Jun 30, 2012
    #4
    Road2dreams Thanks this.
  7. Jun 30, 2012 #5
    Road2dreams

    Road2dreams Bobtail Member

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    Jun 30, 2012
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    Great site Thank you
     
    Road2dreams, Jun 30, 2012
    Road2dreams, Jun 30, 2012
    #5
  8. Jun 30, 2012 #6
    NYROADIE

    NYROADIE Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 24, 2010
    Rochester NY
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    X2!! and if the school is PTDI certified it can help open company doors.
    Use the company paid training as a last resort as you will have to sign a contract to work for them for a year or so at real low wages.
     
    NYROADIE, Jun 30, 2012
    NYROADIE, Jun 30, 2012
    #6
  9. Jun 30, 2012 #7
    sevenmph

    sevenmph Road Train Member

    2,952
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    Jan 26, 2007
    Pinellas county Florida
    0
    Be safe. I don't mean that in the way we drivers use that as a good bye. I mean BE SAFE in everything you do. Learn the Smith System, get out and look, and anything else to become a safe driver. I know it sounds like simple advice, but if you don't learn safety it won't matter where to buy supplies, or what company you and your buddy want to drive for.
     
    sevenmph, Jun 30, 2012
    sevenmph, Jun 30, 2012
    #7
    Road2dreams Thanks this.
  10. Jul 1, 2012 #8
    Ranger70

    Ranger70 Light Load Member

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    Aug 28, 2010
    Joliet Il
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    I agree, only go to company sponsered training as a last resort. Many have done it but you owe that company a certain peroid of time, which is fine since they paid for you up front, but the problem is if you quit or find a better place you owe them big money. Just my opinion.
     
    Ranger70, Jul 1, 2012
    Ranger70, Jul 1, 2012
    #8
    Road2dreams Thanks this.
  11. Jul 1, 2012 #9
    SteveB

    SteveB Light Load Member

    92
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    Feb 6, 2011
    Pittsburgh, PA
    0
    One of the best things I can think of right off the top of my head is to not get frustrated. Stay calm and cool. I know that when I first started out, I couldn't back to save my life. To be honest, to this day I still have those days where I can't back to save my life. But you just can't get rattled because then things become that much harder.

    So keep your wits about you. Your going to be learning to do something that is unlike anything you've ever done before. Stay calm, don't lose your head, and if you do find yourself getting frustrated, just stop for a second, clear your mind and go again.

    Best of luck!!
     
    SteveB, Jul 1, 2012
    SteveB, Jul 1, 2012
    #9
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