Tag Archives: new drivers in a slow economy

Why Do People Decide To Become Truck Drivers?

People become truck driving for a long list of reasons. Some do it for the lifestyle, others do it when they lose a previous career, some do it to fulfill a lifelong dream. Here’s my story about becoming a truck driver – one you may be able to relate to. Continue reading

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A Teacher, A Writer, A Philosopher, Now A Truck Driver!

After a life of travelling, writing, teaching, and schooling, my teenage dream of becoming a truck driver is finally about to happen and I’m ready to start schooling. Continue reading

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Attending Truck Driving School Part I

Priceville, Alabama was where my trucking adventure began. A Super 8 motel room would be my home for the next three weeks while I attended CDL school. I did not know what to expect on the first day, but I met a wide range of personalities in the other students. It was incredible to see the diversity. Continue reading

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Becoming An American Trucker

I was probably one of the most unlikely candidates to become a truck driver that the world has ever seen. I had spent the past 20 years of my life working in television broadcasting in various roles. While it had been exciting and challenging at first, the years had eroded my role into a thankless and suffocating rut. I seriously needed a change…a new experience. This is the beginning of my story – the life of an American Trucker. Continue reading

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Our Trucking Adventure Begins

Hello readers. My name is Cathy Rubens. My husband Steve and I started our trucking adventure in October of 2008. These writing will be done in the form of flashbacks, with some things from the past and some things from the present. Steve and I will be writing about the events and happening from our respective points of view. The flashbacks will be stories of happenings and musings from events as remembered by us. Continue reading

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Cathy and Steve's Story, Choosing A Truck Driving School, Great Stories | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Truck Driving Career Seen As Strong For Next Decade

Truck driving has always been a great career for those of us who were cut out for the lifestyle. If you’re not the right person for the job, you’re really not going to like it much and you’re not going to last long. But if you feel like truck driving might be the right career for you, the outlook for the industry looks to be very solid for many years to come. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, The Economy and Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Randy’s Phase 1 CDL Training – Part 4

So, Randy has been acting very strangely and I can hardly get him to talk to me at all. Two days ago he was all happy, now he seems really uncomfortable again…something is going on in that truck. I suppose I won’t find out until he has some “alone time” again. Continue reading

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Randy’s Phase 1 CDL Training – Part 1

Randy just started phase I training out on the road. It’s a lot of pressure but very exciting at the same time. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, On The Road In Training, Rhonda & Randy's Story | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hiring In Truck Driving and Today’s Economy

So the big question these days for most visitors to our site is, “Will I find a job in trucking in today’s economy?” The answer, right now, is a resounding “yes”, but how long will that last? Let’s take a look at a couple of factors that will influence hiring in the trucking industry in the coming months. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The Long Road Back

I first went to driving school in 1995. I went from a business enviornment right to the road. I was in real estate for many years, but I am, at heart, a truck driver though, and even though I have helped get many people into their own homes, driving is what I truly enjoyed. Like many drivers, I only came off the road to try and save a failing marriage. Continue reading

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, Finding The Right Truck Driving Job | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Now Where Did I Put My Red Shoes?

In the movie classic “Wizard of Oz” the good witch Glenda tells Dorothy to click the heels of her red shoes together three times and say “There’s no place like home”. The movie ends with Dorothy waking up in her bed surrounded by worried family members…well, my training time is over, and I’m going home. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, On The Road In Training, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

In This Economy, The Cream Is Rising To The Top

Unemployement offices may be encouraging people to look outside of trucking. Why? Truck driving jobs are available, but many trucking companies have been able to be more selective in this slower economy than they have in the past. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

After Several Pre-Hires I’ve Made My Choice – I’m Headed To Truck Driving School

Well, it wasn’t an easy decision, but I finally made my choice. Over the last two days I’ve been on and off the phone with my recruiter doing some last minute paperwork and getting all my stuff in order. After today things are going to proceed pretty fast. They are sending me my bus ticket tomorrow and I will be in …. Continue reading

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Recruiters, Companies, and Schools – Choosing The Right Path Into Your Trucking Career

Its funny how much getting started in trucking is so similar to getting started in the military. It takes much thought and soul searching for both, it takes constant nights worrying about if you’re making the right choice, and the most common theme they both share is that you have to wade through the BS that the recruiters try and sell you. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Choosing A Truck Driving School, Finding The Right Truck Driving Job, Free CDL Training | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Students Searching for Trucking Jobs After CDL Training During a Recession

Wow! Finding a job as a truck driver was much more difficult than I expected. Granted, this is mainly due to the economy as a whole. Normally, trucking  jobs are everywhere. But times are tough and things aren’t the way they usually are. While attending truck driving school to obtain my CDL license, I applied to a ton of companies. I ended up receiving about 3 pre-hires from the job applications that I submitted to various trucking companies. So, I thought I was in good shape. Continue reading

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry | Tagged , , | 1 Comment