Thanks for that large peice of info, it took a while to read it all, but it brings alot of info for me to think over. Thanks Big John.
Hey Hootie If it's something you really want to try then give it a shot, you said yourself if it didn't work out then go back to doing what your doing. I had a pretty good local driving job but always wanted to try the OTR thing and if it didn't work out i go back to doing what i was but i knew at least i tried it instead of always saying man i wish i would taken a chance. And almost 6 years later hear i am still doing it. Sure there are days you hate it but some days you love it. But at the end of the day i wouldn't what to do any thing else for a living. I agree with chompi don't put all your eggs in one basket. Get out there and learn the ropes see if you like the lifestyle first, because it is a change of life even if you are a loaner. Everybody has some sort of life outside the truck, not everyone can deal with parts of this job, alot of guys at first say i plan on staying out for months at a time then things change real quick, but you might be a rare breed, you know yourself better than we do. But you'll never know unless you give it a try. Good luck and keep us updated on how things go.
Hootie you shouldn't have a problem getting a job out of FL. Sometimes some companies have hiring freezes down here so you just have to ask the recruiter whats currently going on. I drove for Central Ref. and sometimes they do have hiring freezes. It just depends on the freight and their current accounts and how many drivers they currently have living in FL. Keep in mind you don't have to work for the mega-carriers. Think outside the box. It will pay off. One reason all the newbies go straight to the mega-carriers is first off because they don't know any better and second off the schools they go to get paid by these companies to get them to sign up with them. So the schools really aren't offering any other options. They just want to push the companies who are paying them to do so. Keep your eyes and ears open. Do your homework. The harder it is to get hired on with a company the more worth it its going to be to work for them. Companies with low turnover rates means that their drivers are happier driving for them. Check Craigslist every so often. I have seen some good gigs posted on there from time to time. Good luck!
Thanks Chompi for that, I've been looking on my local Craigslist like you suggested. It's part of the reason I want to be a trucker, I've seen alot of smaller outfits looking for CDL drivers, almost everyday there is a new ad. The catch seems to be you need at least 2 to 5 years of OTR driving to get them, and even the local jobs ask for at least 2 years. So I guess I will have to go to a larger outfit first. I know Swift is in Ocala, FL...I don't know any other majors down here but them. I'm sure my school has more companies. I thank you all for trying to drill into me this is a lifestyle, I'm aware now. It's not easy, I'm sure...but I'm sure I can handle it. I'm glad this site is here for the newer drivers, it's better to hear the truth now then when your freezing at some dock wondering why your sitting at this dock freezing. Thanks.
First off, living in FL you will be very limited to companies that will hire you and getting you back home and out again is going to be even more of a chore. Expect to make minimal pay for your area as FL is prob the worst state to live for trucking..... In your first 2 years of driving, you will make as much money as you would working at Wal-Mart. I am not bs'ing you, it's sad what they pay the new drivers, but it has to be done. usually after a year or two, you can get a job with a company that will only hire experienced drivers, and then you can make more. Don't expect to see home much, as you will be out on the road for 2-3 and in your case living in FL, maybe even 5 weeks at a time. Expect to sit at shippers and recievers for hours and hours and waste your legal driving time (and thus your earning potential) Now with that all said, you get the freedom to be alone and not have a supervisor watching your every single move. If you are on time, polite to your dispatchers and help them out with other loads that nobody else wants, you will in turn become favored and eventually (might take months) get better runs and gain respect. I have been doing this for a while, and after 7yrs i was able to get in with a good company and dedicated run. I work 4 days a week and make more $$ than i ever did before. i will never work in an office again as I can't handle being stuck indoors after being out here with all the freedom for so long LOL
Hootie, Here.......http://www.quicktransportsolutions.com/carrier/florida/fort-lauderdale.php http://www.fleetdirectory.com/bylocation/florida.htm http://www.google.com/search?q=truc...s=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=&oe=&rlz=
Hey Hootie, I am also in Florida and also new in this business and a future student. If you don't mind me asking what is your plan on education. Right now I might be going to C1 in Indianapolis and working for PAM Transport.
You log out and you find somewhere to park nearby (trucks can park places besides truckstops). Or you plan ahead and find a place to park while you till some time left on your clock.
I live in South FL, I'm going to a tech school near me called McFatter. It seems to be a very good school, I've haven't heard any negative reviews, unless someone here who has been to the same school can correct me if I'm wrong. Good luck to you friend, do your research and I'm sure you will find a good school.