Over the years I’ve seen a million new guys and gals come into the trucking industry with not only the wrong perceptions of what the trucking industry is like, but with the attitude that everyone better treat them like kings and queens and roll out the red carpet or they’re outta here – and I’ve seen a lot of em get outta here in a hurry. I’m not sure where the mis-perceptions come from or why people expect to come into the industry with both guns blazing and ready to call all the shots, but as is our mission here at TruckingTruth I’m going to try to clear things up for the new guys and gals to help you avoid some pain.
Trucking Is All About Liability and Risk
First of all, please understand something. In our society, as you well know, you can pretty much get sued for everything you have if you sneeze in church. Can you imagine trying to own a trucking company? These larger carriers have teams of lawyers that stay in court every day of the week fighting battles. Everyone is out to get em. So companies are looking for people they are hoping will be trustworthy enough to make smart decisions out there on the road and keep everyone safe from harm. So if you have a bad criminal or driving record, including felonies, theft-related misdemeanors, DUI’s, and reckless driving tickets for speed in excess of 15 mph over the speed limit, it is quite likely you will have one hell of a time finding work.
Even with a good background record, how does a company know if they can trust you? Well, you’re going to have to prove it. You’re not going to come into the industry and be handed runs from a company’s prime customers, nor are you going to be handed all the gravy runs from Dallas to Orlando and back. You’re going to have to put in your time and show that you are safe, reliable, and have a good attitude by being cooperative and patient when you’re out there. And let me tell you something, these companies are going to push your buttons a little bit to see what you’re made of. You’ve earned no special privileges, and you’re not going to be treated like a king, and yet you’re still going to be given a lot of trust up front. The rest you will have to earn.
Handing You A Beautiful Rig and a New Career
You’ve completed your training and you get hired by your first trucking company. Man, that company is taking a massive risk. You’re not a good driver, and won’t be for a couple of years at least, if ever. You’ve proven nothing to no one, other than the fact that you can memorize some test questions and a few backing maneuvers to pass a simple CDL test. That, and your background check is all you have to offer. So what are they offering you in return? Everything.
The liability risk these companies are taking with you is enormous. It may seem like you know a lot when you come out of CDL school, and even more once you complete your on-the-road training, but let me give you a hint – don’t ever speak those thoughts out loud – especially to an experienced driver. Soon enough you’ll have some experience under your belt and you’re going to look back and realize that it’s a miracle than any rookie gets through the first year safely. I look back on my career, and I feel that way myself. We all do. So from day one, consider yourself privileged. You’ve earned nothing, and you have almost nothing of value to offer, and yet you’re being handed the keys to a big, beautiful rig and heading out on the highway with a brand new career. continue to page 2 –>
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It has been mentioned that if you had a DUI you can forget about driving. Does that include 20 years ago???
Hi Shelly.
There are some companies that have a ban on hiring any drivers that have ever had a dui, but many companies require it be older than 7 years. It will be tougher having that on your record, but certainly not impossible.
I think it’s tough when you’re starting out any new career. Making sure you remember your training, and asking questions when you need to is they only way to get ahead! Good luck, and great article.
Mike, yes you have to pay your dues as a newbie, but don’t forget, never let anyone walk all over you or treat you like !!@##$ because you are new. Respect is a two way street and I had to set a few drivers straight with the way they wanted to “discuss” things with me. being new, you need to learn the in and outs at a terminal,some drivers will just as soon talk down to you then to help you out, but stand up for your self. but then again, being new you need to be open to help and not display that ole timer tude with only months on ! or you will be talked to like crap.
Brett, I gotta hand it to you…you certainly seem to know your stuff, and thanks for providing us all with a forum where we can blow of steam, or even pass on kudos to those we may have found helpful and supportive during our rookie times.
Like many posts I’ve read here, I too made the career-change decision to truck driving late on in my life. The economy just doesn’t seem to support factory workers ( particularly those over 50) very well anymore.
I did my research, shopped around, and finally settled on a school that provided everything I felt necessary…160 hours, accreditable certification, and even placement.
Now I’ve lived long enough and rounded enough corners to realize that entry-level personnel are the bottom of the totem and usually have to toe some pretty stringent lines. However, never have I seen this so evident as in orientation to a major trucking company.
I’m well aware that when it comes to the safe operation and control of a commercial motor vehicle, even at my age I’m still a rookie. But I do believe that my life experiance should count for something. For instance, I expect I’m apt to be far more cautious on the highway than a much younger driver, as well as carrying around the common sense my years has afforded me.
I was just as frightened and nervous as everyone else the day we started our orientation. But when one of the yard instructors took it upon himself to scream and yell at my face what I was expected to do, I felt it was time I drew that proverbial line in the sand.
I pulled him aside from the group and calmly explained to him that my hearing was just fine and asked him if he would use the same tone to explain these maneuvers to someone like his Dad for instance. He must have got my point. He apologized, I accepted and we moved on from there.
I’ll be the first to admit there were important things this man had to teach me and I respected his experience, but at the same time I felt he should have also respected mine. I also realize he was only one instructor of many and not all have that “in-your-face attitude…but it is out there.
Anyway, I went on to graduate from yet another “refresher” course (the second for as many companies). Due to medical issues, however,I have yet to feel that experience of driving my own rig to deliver the load. Hopefully, one day I will. Being a rookie and being treated like a rookie doesn’t really bother me.
It’s being the ill-treated rookie that gets my goat, and from what I’ve been reading it seems to be happening more and more. Perhaps it is the influx of student drivers all these schools are putting out, or the more stringent regulations being imposed on companies and drivers, or perhaps even a combination of both. Either way, one of the first things the rookie driver needs to contend with is the fact that he/she will start out on the bottom of the totem. The sooner you can get your mind-set around that, the better you’ll do and the faster that first year of “rookieship” will pass.
Once again, thanks for a great site and the chance to spout off a bit.
Hey, we love having you here and we’re glad you enjoy the site!
Indeed the rookie treatment can be quite rough. I think it’s a huge shock that CDL training is so incredibly stressful. You wouldn’t think it is, but it is. I think the schools and trucking companies make this far worse than it needs to be, but that’s how it’s always been. I went to school in ’93 and was #1 in my class right from the start – but it was still quite stressful for me, as good as I was doing.
Keep on pushin forward – you’ll get to where you’d like to be soon enough. You obviously have a great perspective on things – that alone is 90% of what it takes to get there.
Thank you Bret for this great site. I too have made the biggest decision of my life at age 55, I was a self employed contractor for 30 years but have closed my doors as of two weeks ago. I just finished my first week and passed the dot written exam this morning. I was top of my class but was troubled by the school not having a football team! I’m amazed that any company would risk so much with new drivers, but thank God they do. The school helps with placement but I have taken it upon my self to call and even go visit the recruiters so I can make an informed choice. I’ve read all the rookie horrer stories and realize there are two sides to every story. I beleive I will be a good hire for any company after running my own business. I think a drivers number goal should be to make his runs as profitable for the company as he can safely can. Only when the company makes money can a driver expect to make more money. I’m ready to pay my dues.