Hey all!
I've been lurking for weeks on this site. I dont think I have ever been so thank ful for finidng a website expecially its users!
I have what seems to be a not so unique situation as I am finidng out. I helped run a construction company.... it went out of business blah blah blah I've decided to follow a long time dream of mine and drive an otr truck.
I'm not old and no longer young (37) Unfortunatley my wife worked for the same business so we found ourselves both out of work and trying to figure out how to support ourselves and our 3 year old son. Needless to say unemployment pay didnt cut it and we have recently filed bankruptcy. My perfect credit I've always been so proud of is officially crap. Luckily my wife was able to bounce back and find a job fairly quick. I know I'm moving forward with a career I actually want as after 10 weeks of searching for a job I finally recieved a job offer going back into my old industry and I turned it down for trucking. Crazy I know
Figuring out how to pay for training without being owned by a company for the next 2 years is my first hurdle. A local school turned me on to some county funding that I qualify for. I'm just waiting for a return call. In the mean time I'm memorizing the CDL book and I've applied at 8 different companies and already recieved letters for hire from 2 within 1 day! WOW that scares me.
To my question?....
I have always dreamed of being a 48 state driver. My wife and I are completley aware of the sacrifices we will be making for this (never home, low pay, hard work, part time parent) Basically going in with my eyes wide open.
Its very clear the drivers attitude will define the experience they have with a company. Grain of salt whenever I hear complaints. I plan on being the best in my class at school and keep my head down and work my ##### off wherever I got to work.
I actually had to start an excel spreadsheet because there is so much information to take in. Ughhh.
Wait didnt I have a question?..... Sorry!
Watkins & Shepard
May
JBS
There are so many different reason why I like each of these companies and there is actually 1 other I'd be willing to go with and I still feel like I havent explore every option there is out there.
Assuming I get the funding cleared is it possible to do to much #### research????
My worst case scenerio is going to work for Stevens Transport only because they will pay for training. One way or another I'll be driving a truck. Since I have no experience I feel I'm limited in options but whomever I go to work for I would like to stay with for at least 2-3 years if not longer. I'm looking for a new career here not a job.
Any input is greatly appreciated and I've tried to sift through the millions of pages of threads on this site but I've given myslef a headache looking.
Sorry for the extremly long post and thanks for reading this far. LOL
Do I just make a choice and move forward or do I have the right research mindset here?
John
To much new driver research?
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by TripleSober, Apr 21, 2011.
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Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
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flatbed companys try to get you home every weekend.......pgt
maverick tmc etc......hope this helps..............all the best....!!!!!
ALSO......
wel is a decent co. for reefer one day off for every week out......
roadwars.com is the best way to study for the cdl........again all the best....!!!
TripleSober Thanks this. -
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Even though you want a career and not just a job, don't think you have to commit to the first company. The first company you use to get the training and experience. They use you for lower operating cost. Then you move up the ladder to a better company and then you stay if everything works out.
If you look a trucking companies, they basically fall into four categories in hiring requirements. Zero years, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years experience. The 2 year experience jobs tend to be the better ones as driver retention is higher up on their list and they want experience driving their company.
But you are right, attitude is everything, right there with longevity. You might start out a number, but can develop into a respected employee. Many don't have the patience or temperment to get to that level. Trucking has a wide variety of pay and benefits. Be smart in your choices and you'll do fine.
Check into your local community college and any grants they might offer. There are ways to get free or reduced cost training.
Of your company choices I don't know much. I kind of liked May but that is because they have nice equipment but their trucks are slow. JBS is a meat hauler and I wouldn't jump into that right off the bat. You sit alot and run hard and late night when you do. That's more for an experienced driver. My longest detention was at a JBS plant if that tells you anything.
Good luck. It sounds like you are doing your homework and everything will work out well.
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Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
