Comments By Houkie

I haven't begun driving yet, but I've done enough research and reading to know that Guy is absolutely right. You say you want a lot of miles. That's not something you're going to get simply based on what company you choose. Just pick the company whose benefits and job requirements suit you and your situation best. Once you're in there, do everything you can to be as efficient, safe, and pleasant to work with as possible. If you can do that, you will be running your tail off. If you can't, you will be sitting. It's that simple. ALL trucking companies want to keep your wheels turning because that's how THEY make money too. If you're sitting still, you're not making them any money. But you have to SHOW them that they can depend on you and that you're willing to do whatever it takes to get the load delivered safely and on time. And it helps if you're not a jerk, too.

Here's a tip though: Go to the top of the page. See the navigation bar beneath the "TruckingTruth" header? Click "Main" on the left side. Then find the "Search Our Site" option on the right side of the menu that drops down. Type in the name of a certain company you're curious about, and hit Enter. That will bring up everything on this site -- blog posts, informative reviews, and forum posts -- that mentions the name of the company you entered. There's a good chance that a lot of your questions have been asked before, and this will help you find the answers you're looking for. It'll also give you a glimpse into some of the people who work for this company or that company, and you can see how they feel about their jobs.

There's a pretty good review of Central's training program here on the site: https://www.truckingtruth.com/paid-cdl-training/swift-transportation/

Also, at the top of the screen, in the navigation bar underneath the "TruckingTruth" header, on the left side you see the "Main" option. Click that. On the right side of the menu that drops down, you'll see a "Search Our Site" function. Type "Central" into that box and it will bring up pretty much everything anyone's had to say about Central on this site.

I wish we could edit our posts -- I meant to say for those days when you can't get a shower after you go out on the road with your trainer. I'm sure showers will be no problem while you're actually in school!

Dry shampoo (or talc powder) and baby wipes for those days when you can't get a shower. Can't wait to hear your updates after you get there!

I second Guy's advice. If you take precautions to prevent problems before they happen, you won't need to worry about using violence to protect yourself. That said, if you get "creative" enough about your methods of self defense, you don't need to worry about what's legal and what isn't. For example, I carry a can of wasp spray in my car. Those things shoot 20+ feet and I don't care how big and bad you are -- a face full of poison is gonna slow you down. And it isn't illegal to have it in your truck. :P

Here's a thread from a week or two ago in which this same subject was discussed. There's some pretty good advice in there: https://www.truckingtruth.com/truckers-forum/Topic-550/Page-1/weapons-protection

They were my first choice as well, but when I called a recruiter she informed me that they're only hiring out of Arizona, Utah, and either Nevada or New Mexico (can't remember which). This was a few weeks ago now; not sure if it's changed since. Might want to give them a call if you live outside that area...

I just went and "liked" your page and made sure any updates you add will show up in my news feed. My name is Jessie Howard on there. It's OK to be nervous but YOU GOT THIS!

That's awesome! Almost all of my graphic design experience has been in the sign business too! I absolutely love it. If it paid better, I would make signs for the rest of my life. But a person can't live on $10/hour, sadly. My boyfriend is an installer at a big sign shop here in Charlotte too. :)

All I could think about when I saw a rig nearby was having one of those retreads coming off a tire into my face.

This reminds me of a time when my dad was riding his Harley on the interstate and a truck blew past him as he was coming onto an onramp and a rock the size of his fist flew up from one of the truck's tires and took out the windshield on his bike. It hit directly in front of his face; had that windshield not been there, Dad surely would've been killed.

Things like that are such a cold, sobering reality check for just how small and vulnerable you are out there on that bike...

I love ****atiels! Best little guys ever. :)

Hang in there, Phil. As far as the skills go, you'll get better. Just like driving a car, like you said -- at first, you were scared and didn't know what the heck you were doing. But now, you don't even think about what you're doing. It'll come to you. Just keep working hard, and try to keep your attitude right. Easier said than done, I know, but it helps a lot.