Wannabe to Watkins Shepard Driver

Trucking might pay a bit less than you think. Many companies advertise 50K a year, but the reality is that starting pay is closer to about 35K, especially for the mega carriers. Or so I have read here.

This is a great place to get the type of answers you are looking for. I suggest taking a few days and read the various threads here.

Good luck!

 

I just finished my cdl schooling this week. For the most part, it was fairly straight forward. The only thing that surprised me were some of the backing maneuvers they had us do. I didn't really expect pre-trips to be as extensive as they "are", but it's understandable when you're moving so much weight. Basically the school should just teach you enough to get your cdl, and the company you work for will take it from there. Study the brake check part very well, at least here failing the brake check will fail you on your final test. Also, practice practice practice your backing as much as possible. It helped me pass my test the first time. Good luck!

 

The reason you see all of those ads for CDL drivers is they want to constantly turn over their drivers so they can pay them next to nothing.They tell the older drivers,If you won't drive for this wage we have a dozen guys who will.So don't believe those shiny brochures put out by the trucking co's,they are full of half truths and some outright lies.
Can you do it,yes.Will it be what you expected,only you can tell.
My son got his class a with UE checks for $2,800;he's been in training since 1/3/11 and we haven't seen him since(we expect him home maybe early March)He's loving it even though he's only taking home $298 per week;this is for driving up to 11 hours a day(usually at night)for up to 6 days in a row.
If you like going on really long camping trips;I mean really long;not showering for weeks,eating a lot of PPJ sandwichs cause that's what you can afford;then maybe this job is for you.
So get your Class A,then apply to training Co's (take new drivers)near you,get a few prehires and go with the one that suits you best.
I understand that they did the same thing to pilots as they did to truck drivers,and the only reason to drive or fly isn't the $;it's because you love the lifestyle.

 

Well welcome to a new and exciting trip!!! You sound a little like me - Grew up on a farm, factory rat worked into management, off to Japan to further my job oppritunitys, then commercial carpenter, owned my own carpentry company (again the economy took care of that!) and finally waiting around for a year trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up! Ha Ha!!! I am 45 been married to my beautiful wife for 25 years (high school sweet hearts) and as of tomorrow I leave for Dallas to start my job with Stevens Transport.
Sooooo how did I make this choice in companys.......
1- They haul food - everyone needs to eat so hope the miles are there!
2- I like the training period- 9 weeks seams like a lot but I want to do the best job at this that I can!!
3- Either way you look at it you have to get experiance in this business before you can get into a more local or better paying job.
I have checked into so many different companys for newbies that it's crazy! Every company is not perfict, pick one and get a year with them before jumping. Someone on here will always be there to tell you what a terrible company you chose!! I dont care whay company it is!!!!!!
I want to get into tankers and flatbedding both, got all my endorsments, visa, twic cards and ect so when the oppritunity comes up I will be ready.
So it sounds to me you can pretty much do anything when you set your mind to it. If your a hard worker, listen well and keep a good attitude then I feel you will make your way through all the B.S. and land on your feet with what you want. If you complain about everything and to everyone, slack off and dont keep a professional attitude and apearance then you will be one of those on here continusly complaining how you got screwed over by X company and that they all are out here to mess the drivers over.
Ok I said my share! I wish you well and that no moss grows under your feet! If I can ever help you please ask, as I will be experiancing new things daily starting tomorrow!!

 

Stevens recruiter called me a few times, including after my stating I was going with Swift. I could visualize over the phone her batting her beautiful eyes as she started laying on the "charm" and explaining the benefits of Stevens over Swift. I explained my reasoning (flatbed) for going with Swift, thus the discussion was ended. Good luck with Stevens and hauling the reefers. Let us know down the line how Steven's training was and how you are doing OTR.

 

You should do just fine considering all the different experiences you have had. Realistically though I would aim for $25,000-30,000 your first year. That is actually somewhat high for a new driver. It is a lot more than holding a steering wheel. Actually if you ask some of the newer drivers most of them will tell you that the driving is the easy part. You sound like somebody who has experienced quite a lot though so you should mesh well. Personally I would steer clear of the mega-carriers. Go for the smaller mom and pop companies. Your chances of success are going to be much greater. Good luck to you and welcome to the forum.

 

I gots one going in the Crete section for my training. Starting in a couple weeks.