Why is it so hard to get your feet wet in this industry?

i'd like to know more about that bike! is that a weed eater engine? i'm diggin what i see

 

Motor is made in china 80cc .You can buy the whole kit off e bay for about $150.00 +shipping . I bought the bike from walmart $69.00 took about 3 hours to install motor. total coast under $250.00. I had to remove the fenders because of the chain hitting it. Runs about 25MPH .I had it for about 2 months with no major problem .Have put about 200 miles on it. It does not have a starter you have to peddle it to start it. Danny

 

The only right one is the one that matches your needs the best and only you can make that decision, but you can get sometimes good and mostly biased opinions from the rest of us. lol

Many are fond of saying there is huge differences between them, but there isn't much beyond subtle differences and large similarities (with the biggins anyway).

The best way is through a grant and a vocational school as you really do need to know about the operation and equipment before you go running around getting experience (or taring up the equipment). If you really want to stick with a big company make sure you read the contracts and can be comfortable and confident in accomplishing what you sign your name under 'cause it can really hurt otherwise.

I think starting the driving in the Summer is best too as you get acquainted with the actual hands on experience and learn some major routes without throwing extreme driving conditions on top of it.

After all that if you can stomach the lifestyle then by all means get ready for Winter and then re-evaluate it all over again. I see many of these guys after their first Winter go straight to a dedicated run in the dessert. I won't lie, I'd love it not to be driving around worrying about ice, but I do what I gotta do and try to be a little smart about it.

Some people I know also start out doing yard work (backing a gazillion times a day in a day cab) and I've seen that as the largest problem with the training process at schools (not enough time backing).

I've also seen some start out strictly local which makes sense since you already know the area your driving around in and are somewhat comfortable just need to relearn what you already know with a big-rig.

Yeah, it's not hard to get into this industry, but there are lots of traps and pitfalls to survive once you're in. It's like the pan and the fire, but with a bigger bang if you know what I mean. lol

 

I don't know for sure but I have heard that some Comunity Colleges offer driving schools that are much more economical than a regular driving school. I don't know that would affect getting hired by a particular company or not. I am guessing that with no driving experience other than the school some might want you to be trained by their people. I never went to a school. When I started driving the only thing you had to have was called a chauffeur's license. I almost think that the drivers had better skills in those days, maybe due to the fact that the trucks were much more primitive and not as reliable as today. Truckin was a little tougher on you back then. Good luck, when things are going right, its a pretty good life.

 

I personally thank you could do a lot worse then getting your training and 1 year driving experience with JB Hunt.
They have a lot of jobs in most area and can get you home when you need too. Decent pay and good equip..And what the hell you may like the job.I made good money twenty year's ago when they paid eleven cents a mile.Hey don't have to worry that there gonna close the door's or if your pay check will bounce. Heaven only Knows you will have enough to worry about the first year learning to drive.Take care and good luck on what ever you decide to do friend Danny

 

Very well said man and I believe your right times were tougher back then and it wasn't the good old days that everyone talks about. I started in 1959 and it was hard Had to drive tho all the big city's no interstate highways,no A/C ,no air ride , change your own tires and the trucks didn't hold up to wear and tear like they do now.
Thank you Danny

 

My advice would be to bite the bullet and go to a private school.

Sure it "cost" more than the "free" education you could get at a driver mill...


BUT

You will get a quality education - and you will be a "free agent" - and not obligated to hang around a dead end company once you get some experience.

AND you will make more your first year with a better company at a higher wage (which will offset the 6000 + dollars of a private school).

 

i don't know if this'll help or not, but i went to Sage Technical and was able to land a job with Gordon. not too shabby. on the flip side, i was denied by Crete BECAUSE i went to Sage. most company websites, if they hire students, say only from approved schools. if you have a company in mind, call their recruiter and ask if there is a school in your area they approve. if so, try to get a pre-hire from them. it's no garantee, but at least you know they like what they see on your application and will likely give you a job out of school. good luck!

 

in my opinion trucking is an easy profession to get into. If you are willing to pay your dues and keep your driving and accident records as clean as possible you'll be alright.

 

It seems to me that this business is tough to get in to only if you are too picky. I didn't even start school yet and have 3 companies that will take me upon completion of my 320 hour course. Are they the best? No. Will they work for gaining experience? Yep. That's all I need them to do unless my wife's friend has an opening in his company then I go drive there.