What's a newb to do?

As I only have two yrs experience I will add that for me I would have been MUCH BETTER OFF not to spend so much getting into this field. Yes , at first it will be very stressful and at times maybe even scary. But for me the first few months was what made me think "Man this is a cool way to make a living" It has been a struggle but I love driving. Sounds like you might be at little gun shy there. This is a trait you must leave behind when you close that door. If its what you think you want to do there is only one way to get your answers in reality "Just do it" There are way too many people with vastly differently personalities and experiences and get your answers here. As you stated you get conflicting data here as you will anywhere. Set goals. Work hard. Pay attention. Then you can decide but I just believe it will only come after you feel, do it yourself.

 

TRUCKING IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT! You got it girl.

 

Personally, I am waiting for this economy to improve before I leave my local job, go back to school again (sheesh) and job hunt for an OTR [over the road] position. Currently it seems the freight volume is returning to near normal levels; but, the hiring of new drivers is still lagging behind. So, I wait and save some more money. When you have cash money, you have options.
.
Picking a first company is, after all, a [bleep] shoot. You can check a company's reputation, CSA score, average length of haul etc; but, you cannot check the competence of your soon to be assigned dispatcher or trainer. If either one or both is a screwup, you can have some real problems and an unhappy experience. And that is the luck of the draw.
.
Ah, the uncertainty of it all. Wish I could direct you down the certain path of success but there is no such thing.

 

The reason for mentioning that last part is because I have had a lot of time to read a lot of information on this site. Some of it really good and some, well some people would not be happy if you hung them with a brand new rope.


Unfortunately your going to get that with any occupation you get into. I think if you just do your job and do it well you'll be fine.