Comments By Dennis R.

Old School and I both work for Knight. I'm sitting at the Indy terminal for the night.

I visited that terminal a few years ago. Do they have local , regional jobs in the Indy area ? How long are you guys out usually ? What should I expect if I got hired as a new driver ? student ?

I remember seeing some type of training or program but cant remember the name ???

Are you both OTR ? What is your typical week like ?

Thanks

Dennis, you are an interesting guy, considering your current skills, background and trucking "wish list"

Brett suggested you get an RV and experience the adventure that way. Pretty savvy plan, based on what you've revealed about yourself. Now there is another option for you, one that is frowned upon here on this site (and I may catch some flak for even bringing it up). If you've got lot's and lot's of money you could buy your own truck and become a money losing Owner Operator. And you will lose money as an inexperienced driver and truck operator. But you would have more home time if you just contracted occasional loads and you could take your truck home; you could take the wife and dog with you. There are a few O/O here that are successful, but from what I understand, they are very experienced. But if you have money to burn and you are in love with driving a big rig over an RV, everybody here will advise against it, but it's your money.

Hey Bruce , I had researched this option a few years ago and if I was younger and trying to make a long term plan I might go that way. But I would have had to get more driving exp. for insurance purpose's plus a whole lot of knowledge about the industry. Like I say this is a job I am interested in but I do understand thr company has to make money.

Sodrel trucking offered me a job after I attend their school delivering mail and home every night but working like 12-14 hours 6 days a week. And driving old Mack trucks with a 6 speed trans , not interested in driving that much lol

Brett , I watched and listened to the 3 episode's you listed above, very interesting and informative. Traveling around and working on airplanes for different company contracts is very similar. You hear all the rumors of the bad companies and a few were right haha but I really get it. I liked the part about living in Indianapolis , Chicago or in between. I am like 1 hour north of Indianapolis towards Chicago and being from the area maybe getting more home time than someone working that route / area from Jersey.

I had visited Knight Transportation in Indy but that was 4 years ago. Do you have any info on them or another company in my area ? If I had a company where later on maybe I could take my dog and wife that might be okay. Through the week I could be gone all week and probably be okay but not interested in being out any longer than a few days or maybe a week. Do you know of any companies that might do this in my area. I guess it wouldn't have to be in my area if the company lets you take the truck home as I am traveling through.

Any ideas ?

Also I was trying to share a video of my plane on Keith's post but it never loaded. I managed to put a picture with my profile but how do you load a pic or video ?

you say the info I am getting is BS.

Keith said it perfectly:

The biggest issue with the other sites is you're reading reviews and complaints by people who couldn't hack it as OTR drivers

I like to ask people if they've ever read the book, "How To Complain, Blame, and Criticize Your Way To The Top"

It should be obvious that a book like that doesn't exist, and never will. So if you want to be happy and successful at something, why would you listen to people who haven't figured out how to get there themselves?

Also, think about this........does it make sense that the elite upper 1%'ers, the largest and most successful companies in this industry, are bad places to work? They have the best equipment, the largest variety of opportunities, the most money behind them, the best management teams, and the best perks for their drivers. Would you rather work for a struggling little mom-n-pop with a handful of ratty old trucks and barely enough cash flow to stay in business from day to day?

The misinformation about the large carriers and the incessent complaining by those who couldn't hack it in this industry is so rampant that I've done several podcasts on these subjects, including one about the "terminal rats" you're being confused by. Listen to these and see if they make sense to you:

• Episode 10: Terminal Rats Are Derailing Trucking Careers
• Episode 19: You're Getting Career Advice From The Wrong People
• Episode 9: Are Major Carriers Nothing More Than Starter Companies?

You've said:

If a driving job does happen to come up that would be okay and if not no big deal.

I am in a position that I don't need to work just an interest in driving.

You mentioned that concrete job - at this stage of your life you don't need the money and you don't need to work, but somehow you think you would choose to drive back and forth hauling dry bulk between two dusty, dingy, noisy concrete plants all day, every day? That's how you're going to spend your retirement years? That's the trucking equivalent of working on a production line at a factory. How long do you see yourself doing something like that? I've had jobs like that. You're going to run away screaming like a madman in three weeks.

I understand what you all are saying but when I go to Truckers Report Most say don't go with Knight and so many others have a bad reputation over and over and over. Most of these companies seem to put you out with a trainer and then on your own or team and maybe a little home time. I could be totally wrong maybe they are good, this is just what I see, often.

Dennis, there's a good solid reason we call this site "Trucking Truth." You are a victim of the rampant misinformation we literally fight against on a daily basis. You will find it next to impossible to jump into a part time class A Tractor Trailer job such as you seem interested in. Maybe at that point you'll realize who was shooting straight with you all along. It's a crying shame how you are being misled by what you expect to be a reliable source of information on this career.

Each of the companies that you think are so "bad" are the best managed companies in the business and are well represented here by long time successful happy employees. Each of our Moderators have proven to be operating at the industries highest levels of success while working for the companies that are so foolishly slandered online at the sites you keep frequenting. How can that make any sense to you? I'm a long time driver at Knight - couldn't be happier!

Old School, I don't believe everything I read , I am just saying this is what I read and most reviews that are bad are usually someone that got fired for a good reason probably.

These trucker websites are the only way I can get any info. I am in Korea so hard to ask a driver here. I seen a job on Indeed.com delivering cement in a tanker , no experience needed , will train. Driving 88 miles and delivering at big concrete company and return. 2 trips a day out and back 352 miles working days mon through fri and if you want more money you can do a run on sat but not mandatory. I think it paid around $200 per day. something like this is what I am looking for.

Is this site connected to these trucking companies that you have listed ? Which company has solo drivers and home on weekends ? Do any run regional where maybe out for a day or two ?

Example , I go to a company website and almost every site has reviews and they all have great reviews and people that hate them. No miles, long lay overs , managers etc...….

You have any ideas what I should do, who to believe , I go to any site I can to get info but you say the info I am getting is BS.

What is your best opinion on a company that would be a good choice for me ? :)

Not to hijack the thread, but Dennis, if one wanted to get into working on/around/possibly piloting what sort of paths exist for that?

I'll also just reiterate what G-Town and Brett have said-- I just started a local position with my company after a year and a half OTR and the demands that get placed on A-Class drivers are incredibly difficult to convey verbally. It has to be lived, in your case at least getting through the first year is going to require every last scrap of your attention. It took all of mine, and this was my 2nd attempt to make the cut, I washed out my first time working for Knight after four months.

Hello Keith,

I understand what you all are saying but when I go to Truckers Report Most say don't go with Knight and so many others have a bad reputation over and over and over. Most of these companies seem to put you out with a trainer and then on your own or team and maybe a little home time. I could be totally wrong maybe they are good, this is just what I see, often.

This is why I am looking for something different and it may not exist and I will never go OTR but I may be out a few days a week with every weekend off or most week ends off. I am in a position that I don't need to work just an interest in driving.

I have spent the last 14 years in South Korea and 10 years prior to that I worked as a contractor and traveled all over the world and although the money is great I am ready to move home and enjoy my life. If a driving job does happen to come up that would be okay and if not no big deal.

As far as Aviation goes , I always had an interest and attended a Aviation Training Academy in Indianapolis for 2 years and got a Associates degree in aviation Maintenance, Tested out and got my Airframe and Powerplant license (A&P) Hired by a company near Seattle Washington, worked there for a year then started contracting for different companies all over the world. Some people in the military that work on aircraft can also test for their A&P and if you can find a company that will hire you and train you then after so many hours of training the person with a A&P can sign you off with the FAA to test for your A&P.

They say there is going to be a shortage of pilots and mechanics and I have companies emailing me almost everyday offering jobs for maintenance.

Love flying my plane and any other small planes I get to fly but never wanted to be a professional pilot and fly for the airlines. I just like general aviation. Some good jobs out there ! And some not so good. I have been with my company now for 14 years and working in South Korea. I work 4 , 10 hour days and get 3 days off every week. Sometimes if you want overtime you can get it but I never work overtime :)

I have got about 4 months left to work here and I will be 66 and retire and I have over 6 weeks vacation left so I am slacking off pretty good lol

Over seas contracts are the best , like here I am tax exempt and can only be in the USA for around 30 days per year or then I will need to pay taxes for the whole year :( I go see family and visit my house there in Indiana every summer and we have a place in the Philippines we go for Christmas quite a bit ( Our retirement home for the winter )

Check aircraft jobs at JS Firm on the internet. There are a lot of jobs there and many other sites just google aviation jobs.

Most of my work overseas has been on military base's which usually includes housing allowance , cost of living allowance and over 6 figures tax free every year.

After you are a licensed mechanic for 3 years you can get your Inspection Authorization ( IA ) since I have my IA I can do the annual inspection on all the general aviation airplanes in the US. My hangar can fit a few airplanes and I will probably be doing a lot of annuals especially for friends and locals in our area of several small airports. Chance to make some good $$$ but a lot of responsibility.

As far as becoming a pilot , some start out with a introduction flight to see if they are interested and then start training with an instructor and you will need 40 hours to test to get your private license, most need more hours to feel comfortable.

There are places that will put you through training in a accelerated course of 2-3 weeks of flying every day several hours which I think is best.

If you fly one hour or two a week then off a couple weeks because of money , weather etc.... you have to sort of spend the next hour remembering what you did the first 2 hours. Just my opinion.

A lot of great videos on YouTube for pilots and A&P,s

If you have any other questions just ask.

I have a Cobra CB with 2 great antennas, a SiriusXM radio, and a Rand McNally TND 740 truck GPS (and a spare backup for each) , and a RM trucking atlas that I use. I do not have a headset, nor do I use Bluetooth while driving as I feel it’s too much distraction. Knight uses a GPS built in the ELD system for company navigation. I also use Google Maps satellite view almost daily.

Sounds like a great set up !

It works for me.

I retired from the USN after 20 plus years in Naval Aviation.

Thanks for your service Sir !

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but companies don't want their equipment sitting idle while the driver assigned to that truck spends a lot of time at home. You have all your stuff in that truck and it's not practical to have another driver take over when you are on home time. Now, I do know there are part-time driving jobs, but I don't think there are many in OTR trucking.

Roehl sounds like it would fit Dennis home time desires with their flexible schedules such as 7 on 7 off, 14 on 7 off etc. HOWEVER with that type of scheduling your pay is going to substantially lower at the end of the year due to working less. Schneider also has something they call "jet set"where they fly you to where you're needed then 3(?) Weeks later fly you home for a week. Downside to both is you do not have an assigned truck and I'm guessing you'd need to live near a terminal for Roehl's flexible hometime.

More interested in time off than pay, maybe I will check into this.

Gtown and Brett,

I appreciate your concern and information but I think you are not really understanding me. I have never even been in a semi but I have the drive to want to drive. I have studied the practice test on the truckers report and feel confident I can ace it with all endorsements. I have drove big straight trucks, I pull big airplanes in and out of a hangar with just inches of wing tip clearance. I have worked on flight lines around million dollar airplanes using big manlifts etc..... I know there is a lot to learn but I have total confidence in myself to be able to learn to drive a truck. I took flying lessons for 7 hours and did my solo flight then at 9 hours did a 300 mile cross country so I know what it is like to need to learn all the tricks of the trade.

Carter works with Sage driving school and will reimburse me @$50 per week.

As soon as I graduate they will put me with a trainer for 6 weeks and then solo. They run the nafta routes running car parts. No touch freight , and 50 miles from my home with week ends off and home through the week sometimes.

The days will be long and only pays $0.375 per mile and a little extra for other things but its not just about the money,

I have watched a lot of training videos , backing etc... , driving through big city's, bad weather, hooking up and un hooking trailers, and doubles, pretrip / post trip already know how to work Qualcom / people net. Have a truckers atlas and been reading and trip planning. fueling, adding def truck stop parking and all the crazy videos. I can drive a manual tranny but prefer auto for these old knees and Carter has all Automatics.

I don't take short cuts in anything I do and I totally understand the commitment.

I don't think for a minute that I don't need good training. For some reason I just have a passion to drive BUT if I can find something that suits me then I will just stay home and enjoy retirement :)

And if I can find a straight truck job that would maybe be okay too.

Dennis not to be negative; but truck driving requires 100% full time commitment as you are learning. It seems like you want to short cut this...

The learning curve for everyone is about 1 Year. Although Carter has part time drivers, I have some doubt they’d allow an entry level driver to perform in a part time; 1-2 day per month job until you prove yourself a safe and efficient driver. This requires time and experience. No substitute.

I just don’t believe your expectations are realistic.

I am just searching , nothing in stone. If I cant find a job I want that works for me then I will not get my cdl.

I have been in touch with Carter Express , 1 hour from my house. I think they get the weekends off and home time through the week some times. They have part time also without benefits. You can even work one day a month they say. This might work for me and I don't mind being gone through the week but need my weekends. I am semi retiring and don't really need to work so I am not going OTR and be out days, weeks at a time so maybe I cant be a driver but we shall see :)

Dennis you said this: " I bought a house on a grass strip and had a 48x60 hangar built. I got my IA and am planning on doing annuals for friends around the airport and other close by airports. That is why I am looking for a lot of home time."

Dennis, you might be disappointed if you expect a lot of home time. Most OTR drivers are out for 2 or 3 weeks at a time and then back home for only 2 or 3 days. Just enough time to do laundry, cut the grass, shovel snow, pay the bills, kiss the wife, pat the dog on the head and then you're back out.

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but companies don't want their equipment sitting idle while the driver assigned to that truck spends a lot of time at home. You have all your stuff in that truck and it's not practical to have another driver take over when you are on home time. Now, I do know there are part-time driving jobs, but I don't think there are many in OTR trucking.

But I guess I should ask: What does "a lot of home time" mean to you?

I have a Cobra CB with 2 great antennas, a SiriusXM radio, and a Rand McNally TND 740 truck GPS (and a spare backup for each) , and a RM trucking atlas that I use. I do not have a headset, nor do I use Bluetooth while driving as I feel it’s too much distraction. Knight uses a GPS built in the ELD system for company navigation. I also use Google Maps satellite view almost daily.

Sounds like a great set up !