Posted: 9 years, 7 months ago
View Topic:
Starting a Trucking Career in Winter
That's good to know. Ill definitely remember that... and to un clinch! So far this website has been amazing and everyone's replies have been great. I'll be infinitely better prepared by the time I get out there.
Posted: 9 years, 7 months ago
View Topic:
Is 900 tractors considered a large company?
Well that's always a plus. I'm sure a dog helps immensely with morale on the road. I don't have a pet but maybe ill consider getting one. Think they'll let me bring a giraffe??
Posted: 9 years, 7 months ago
View Topic:
Starting a Trucking Career in Winter
AJ,
That's a pretty good list of companies. Whenever I'm in the eastern part of the U.S. I always see Old Dominion. Seems like you're looking to do regional or dedicated? I've got it narrowed down to a handful as well, but I'm thinking it's true what some experienced drivers are saying, that a good dispatcher is more important than a "good" company. I know this to be the case in the limo business.
Posted: 9 years, 7 months ago
View Topic:
Starting a Trucking Career in Winter
Rolling Thunder,
Yeah I was betting that most of those accidents were preventable by slowing down even more than you THINK you have to. I was driving in a pickup with little weight in back and I put some sandbags back there to weigh it down. Of course it helped when accelerating from a stop, but I was thinking that it wouldn't make one iota of difference if you're going too fast because if fully loaded semis are sliding off the road, then anybody can; ice is ice. But yes, crawling along safely is infinitely better than the alternative! :)
Posted: 9 years, 7 months ago
View Topic:
Is 900 tractors considered a large company?
Thanks Old School. I was hoping it was big enough to be the case. Yes, I've spoken with the driver on the website who works for May and he just answered some of my questions. He seems really pleased with the company overall. Great pics you have up by the way. Especially the long horned cow! :)
Posted: 9 years, 7 months ago
View Topic:
Is 900 tractors considered a large company?
I was looking into May Trucking as a possible company to work for, and it looks like they're a fleet of about 900 tractors. Is this considered a large company or more of a medium sized? The reason I ask is because after reading Brett Aquila's book, I fully agree with being able to take advantage of all the amenities that a large company will provide on the road with things like accounts with repair shops, tow truck companies, hotels and the like. Would a company like May be big enough for this?
Posted: 9 years, 7 months ago
View Topic:
Hello! Question on being a lady trucker
Hi Effie,
You absolutely MUST watch Allie Knight's vlogs on YouTube! You'll love her trucking videos and I do believe she has one where she answers questions for female truckers. At the end of her videos she gives her contact info so you can ask her whatever you like. Best of luck. :)
Posted: 9 years, 7 months ago
View Topic:
Starting a Trucking Career in Winter
Yeah Ill definitely be going the private school route. Originally I was going to go to Prime cause it seems like one of the best schools, and tuition is free if you stay with them for a year. But my plan was to go to GTI after my first year, which is the company I really want to work for, but I think it's better just to go straight to the company I want from the get go, even if I have to pay for it myself. Plus, Prime is reefer and I'd rather do dry van. I like GTI (Gordon) cause they're a west coast company and 80% of their freight is west of Ohio, and they don't do New York or the northeast. This past January I drove cross-country in my pickup and there was about a hundred mile stretch on I 70 in Illinois where I witnessed NO LESS than 50 big rigs and 4 wheelers that had slid off the shoulder and the median! Needless to say, myself and every car and semi around me were all white-knuckling it at about 25 mph that hundred miles! I remember saying to myself "I will NEVER do this again!" Well, not only am I going to do it again, but in a big rig as well! I gotta screw loose or what?! :) Yeah definitely let me know how it goes since you'll be slightly ahead of me. But I think being with a trainer in extreme conditions would be a benefit, and by next winter we'll have 9 more months of experience under our belt. What companies are you looking at?
Posted: 9 years, 7 months ago
View Topic:
Starting a Trucking Career in Winter
Hey AJ, I'm in the same predicament as you; I wasn't sure if I should start CDL school in early November or wait til February so that by the time I was through, I could get out there by early March when the weather was better. I asked the same question to trucker Allie Knight of YouTube and she started in January, and was glad she did it, cause now the worst was behind her. I'm gonna go the same route; save some money in my current job for the next two months, and start CDL school in November. Plus I don't think I can wait til February anyway, I wanna get out there! Hope you decide the same!
Posted: 9 years, 7 months ago
View Topic:
Starting a Trucking Career in Winter
Thanks Daniel B,
Actually it's November that I plan on starting CDL school. Probably Sage Trucking School in Colorado or Wyoming. It's 4 to 5 weeks I think I read, and that way I figure I'll be starting in December with a trainer. But no, I'm not going to let it affect my decision too much. I'd rather get out there sooner rather than later mainly cause I can't wait to get out there. But September and October I'll stay put in my current job and save some money so I can be a little more comfortable while I'm in training.