Wanna do this right the first time

I will be starting school tomorrow (8/3) and I am seeking any advice and/or insight into the good, the bad and the ugly of the trucking industry/lifestyle. I already have some idea what this career has to offer but I would like to hear from anyone who would like to tell me what being a trucker is like.

I hope to see you on the road soon!

 

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Is anyone there? No one wants to talk about it? I'm just looking for some insightful info so I can make a better informed decision about who to work for when I graduate in September. Any and all info will be greatly appreciated

 

i have a opinion for you, try to stick with a smaller company, better pay, friendlier atmosphere, you won't be just a number, that may come to better home time. most likely wont be fired for a simple mistake. and finaly, less chances of getting your dac destroyed for no reason.

 

Welcome to the forum, good luck with school.

You might try checking out some of the threads about the different companies.

 

Thank you both for your input, I apologize for not responding sooner but between homework (I just finished my first week of CDL school) and my kids I don't have much time to do anything except take a peek at what is going on in here.

 

Would anyone have any suggestions about a small company that would be good to work for? Werner is coming to visit our school on Monday and from what I have been able to sort out they seem like a halfway decent company but I like the advice from jride about looking into a smaller company. Any thoughts? Thank you in advance for your help.

 

welll newbie67..how was the first week...?? Details plz!!

 

The first week was somewhat overwhelming; we learned how to fill out a logbook, learned about major systems on the truck (brakes, suspension, etc) that we will need to know when we begin performing daily inspections once we are on the road, we have learned the hours of service rules, a little bit about hazmat. I know I am forgetting something but at this point if I think too hard I am afraid my head will explode. I don't know about your school but we have also spent some time at the DOT getting our CDL permits and various endorsements. I currently have the Combination, Air Brakes and Tanker endorsements and next week I plan on trying for my Hazmat (which is going to be expensive - $85!). It may seem like alot but as the classroom work continues it all starts to make sense.

I have one more week in the classroom and then we will be out on the road for 4 weeks. I will be in the truck with one other student and a trainer so I am sure I will gwt plenty of good time behind the wheel.

What about you and your school?

 

again in my OPINION there are alot better trucking jobs out there than , stevens transport, werner,swift..i myself would work at mcdonalds befor i would those clowns. but do what makes you happy, call every trucking company you can an try to get pre-hires. good luck