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.