Comments By Alexander D.

As I wait to see if I'll be funded for Trucker's school by the state of Illinois I sure get lot's of information from this site and for that I am grateful but at this point, even with all the information I still seek, I feel like 'fresh meat on deck'. I've begun the 'pre-hire letter' requests which has kind of amounted to filling out the application here for many companies. So I've had a few call backs that went to voice mail and the jist of their message seems to be "What are you looking for in a new company?" Since I've never been a trucker yet and haven't worked for any co. I just don't know enough to respond just yet as to 'what I am looking for in a co.? I suppose at the top of my list might be a co. that values a safe driver would be my first response. Because when all is said and done it seems that is at the top of the list of wants for them and for me. To be a dependable driver albeit a new one, dealing with all the twists and turns a new driver has to contend with and putting in my first year to the best of my ability. Embracing the lifestyle through thick and thin and becoming a valued employee or would it be a 'self employed contractor.... Going to school vs sponsored co. training.. I'm sure these sales people at these companies are there to sell you this great truckers lifestyle so how do I expect to know how to get that in reality...Pardon my rambling, had a great day of riding my Harley and I'm sure as I keep on, all these unknowns will become known and I suspect I'll be able to move forward with both eyes open knowing what I am getting into. Keep on Trucking.

I'm trying to get funds for school. I figure I've got the right personality for the job.

I've decided to just fill out applications ..........blindly as a way to get my "foot in the door" --- who knows right? Of course I'm not in school yet but it couldn't hurt right......

Too much work filling out all those forms. Full out one here, and it goes to "everybody":

Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

Interesting - It did a run down of all "accepted" and "not qualified" responses.

Anyway ,somewhere between the bread and butter this thing will be sorted out

Ok that does sound smarter too - I Love my dogs but I don't necessarily want to drive with two big dogs - I don't think it's safe. It's definitely a delimma - I'll have to figure out something.

I've decided to just fill out applications ..........blindly as a way to get my "foot in the door" --- who knows right? Of course I'm not in school yet but it couldn't hurt right......

A German Shep and a Pit Bull mix

How To Go About Getting Pre-Hires

The most important thing to remember about pre-hire letters is that honesty is the food that fuels them. Without honesty, pre-hire letters are useless. A pre-hire letter is based on the information you give to the trucking company by filling out an application. You can complete applications online, at job fairs, at truck driving schools, at unemployment offices and even at trucking companies.

Best of all, you do not need to have a CDL in hand when you start applying to trucking companies, or even be a student at a truck driving school yet! Many trucking companies will pre-hire students, and even potential students. But before you take the time to fill out the application, make sure the company hires new drivers and that you meet their minimum requirements and qualifications.

Well Yippi Ki Yaaaaay - I know what I'm doing Today!

Yep I'll read up on those links and that's another issue , if I ever do get to the point where I am OTR and away from home for long periods - at this point in time I have no idea how to care for my two dogs and giving them up is not an option.

Also, how do you get a 'pre-hire' letter from a company? You just call one and talk to a recruiter?

The question is basically in the Title but first some quick back round. When I decided Trucking was for me, the state of Illinois offered funding for me to go back to school but due to budget restraints it's unavailable now but someone suggested a federally funded program, which I am now in the process of trying to qualifying for. I'm interested in OTR since I am currently single with no local family except for my two dogs but (I'll cross that bridge when I get there). So if I go with sponsored training then I get to make decent money going OTR with payback commitments to a company for a year or so. If I go to school then it seems I need 'pre-hire letters' from companies willing to take on an inexperienced driver and it doesn't seem that many companies hire fresh out of school. So, I was thinking why not got to private school, if I get the "free" funding and then go with a sponsored company and just commit to a year or so of OTR Trucking. My logic on this is that more information is better and free schooling before company sponsored school is really better or could it be just overkill. Any suggestions or opinions welcome.

Ok Thanks

If you put in 8 months you are more than half way to the one year point. The one year point may be the time to seek work with a different company but this site recommends "sticking'' it out. At least you'll have that Pride of sticking it out but more importantly you'll have a year to put down towards another job be it local or not. Having said that I totally empathize with your situation. It does sound Hellish to me and must be quite frustrating, but I'd stick it out to the one year mark if possible.

Best of Luck

Yes I may still move forward with a loan from a bank.

Yes, actually I just found out about this WIA and registered and am meeting with them tomorrow! I am in Illinois and well they just can't balance their budget here apparently.

I'll look into the High Road Training Program after I finish this post -- I am staying clear , at least for now of Co. Sponsored Training Programs due to people saying going to a College was better.

Thanks

On the day I was suppose to start school (July 11th) our State was unable to fund me going to school. Even though I am disappointed there's a chance I can start school in September (if they balance our budget). I thought about getting a loan from the bank............................. anyway feeling defeated as I was focused and committed to moving forward on this. Can I still study on my own and take all the tests at the DMV? I'm in the process of researching this and then getting a job starting off slow with a local company but I heard they want drivers with at least two or more years of OTR experience. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do but I'm going to keep asking questions and getting information. Has anyone gotten a loan to go to school?

So, with the limited information I have- I have preconceptions about my goals. Of course right now I am focusing on studying before class starts, which is no easy task but I am pushing myself. Anyway about my goals. I plan to work for a large Corporation OTR Full Steam - Do or Die. From what I read it can be grueling and that I am wanting to commit to year of it. I think that if I get a job with a big corp I'll get a good truck and decent pay/benefits ect.......... and that after that first year I'll have the best understanding of what it means to be an OTR Trucker. If and when I make it through the year I can hope to be at a good vantage point to choose which direction to go next. Am I being Realistic? All suggestions welcome. Thanks.

Happy 4th

Do Truckers still get the benefit of using CB radio's to help communicate information to each other about traffic conditions?

Not sure if I'm replying right but why don't you go to a truck stop and see if you can't ask someone to view their Truck- just a thought

Hi Alexander D. Congrats on taking the step! I hope to be doing the same thing in six months.

DEFINITELY work your way through the High Road Training program; it's the best tool i've found. If you're taking the practice quizzes and reviews after every page, by the time you've read all the way through the program I guarantee the vast majority of the important information, technical info and statistics will have lodged firmly in your long term memory. After reading through it once i'm aceing every single free CDL practice quiz I can find on the internet: even the all endorsement quizzes. Stick to it and you won't have any problems. I'm going to go through it all at least once more before I get to school myself.

The only issue i'm having is trying to memorize and arrange in my head how to approach the Pre-Trip exam requirements. I'm a visual learner and i've never actually been on/around a semi-tractor before, so i'm struggling to remember all the parts because I have very little idea how to find and actually identify the engine components that need to be pointed out to an examiner. It's all fine saying "point out the water pump, PMS it and ABC/free play the belt" but how do I know what it looks like?/where it is? I'm hoping i'll know these things for sure once i'm at the school.

One of the mods here posted a visual guide to the Pre-Trip with photos that was amazingly helpful. I'll try to find it after I get back from work tonight (if someone else doesn't beat me to it.)

Good luck Alexander!

Thanks for the encouragement and thanks for showing me the online guide - I just peeked at it and it looks pretty good.

I believe anything can be accomplished one step at a time.

I also downloaded a couple of app's to my phone.

A great day to all and a Safe one.

By the way does anyone use 'handles' anymore Lol ? Can we talk to each other on the road like in the old days? haha

I just wanted to say Hello to everyone on here and introduce myself. I signed up for school a week ago - I start in just under two weeks and just cracked the 'Study Guide' book tonight - Looking at all this technical stuff if making my brain woozy - I suppose that's normal for a start and I better keep disciplined to studying cause frankly - I think I can drive okay but all this mechanical stuff is scaring me a bit. Anyway, all I can do is work hard and hope for good results. Now I am currently now working and I'm bored out of my mind and Trucking seemed like the best fit for me since I tend to enjoy the company of myself for the most part - I hope that's a plus in this field. I wreaking if I just take this thing one step at a time and keep focused , maybe just maybe I might pass this test the first time around and one day land a first job. I decided to go to school at a college and got some nice Lady helping me out giving me all kinds of advice. I feel like if I pass all my tests- I'd want to go all in and work for a huge company going OTR to no end due to my being single again as of very recently. I feel real positive about taking steps towards my goal of Trucking and I hope it's worthwhile. I am not in it completely for the money - I love money but I really just want to get out there and be useful. So for now I just got to study before school starts so I can get an edge. Any advice or suggestions would be great - Oh I live in Illinois right now but I am thinking of moving to West Virginia cause I love to ride motorcycles - nothing tying me down here anymore for sure so why not live some.... Have a good one