Profile For Sharron R.

Thank you Troy!!!! 😀

Amen and good luck to you!!

The power of prayer!!

My original plan was starting school this Summer, as all my financial options weren't opening up any doors. I was even on the hunt for a part time job so I could pay them cash by Summer. Literally overnight... my dreams were already coming true... prayers answered. Everything was flowing and all falling into place. I'm still like... Wow😄 !!! Since I work graveyard, my class schedule will be 1:30p-8pm, Monday-Friday.

Have a great weekend and stay safe!!

All great ideas!!! Thank you everyone!!!! 😀😀😀

John L wrote:

If any of the companies that you are considering have terminals nearby, you may want to arrange a visit with a recruiter there. If you are able, be sure to ask to meet with one of the driver managers, drivers, mechanics, or anyone else who may be available.

In theory this would seem like a really great idea. However the likelihood of the above taking place is very low unless you are seeking employment from a smaller company. With the larger carriers, like the ones we typically consider in this forum, the recruiters are usually not working in the operation terminals unless said terminal happens to also be the corporate office (like Swift's Phoenix terminal). Even so most of the people John mentioned will not have the time or inclination to speak with you. Doesn't hurt to ask, but again not likely to happen.

If you speak with a driver...take any negativity you hear with a grain of salt. You won't really know who you are dealing with and have no way to verify their opinion whether fact, fiction, or somewhere in-between. The best place at a TS to speak with drivers is in the restaurants or coffee area. If someone wanting to learn about this business offers me a free coffee and I have the time, I'd talk to them. I'd stay away from the fuel desk, scale ramp and fuel pad though. Again overall not a bad idea,...but just be aware of the potential for extreme negativity. If something sounds screwy, it probably is.

Oh cool... thanks😀

Hi Sharon,

I found this great post by a member called Thinkstoomuch titled List of Questions to ask a Recruiter. Type that into the search box.

Thanks!!! Yah besides what I'm learning on here... the coolest site ever... not sure what's good or bad. I've read that the 1st year it's all about learning, getting it all down than how much money I'll make... which by the way is already waaaaaay more than I've ever made lol... so I'm good with even the least amount. I definitely want to travel solo and with a dog, so I looked at a link one of our buddies on here shared with me (Errol I think). Oh and 1st company is usally a starter company. Other than that.. im sure there's lots more i haven't even thought of yet, lol.

Just an addendum to what John says, it was all good. He said to pare down your list from best to worst. That's good, that's what I did. I ended up working for the one I thought was the worst! The truth is that I didn't have a clue about what made one better than the other, I thought I did, but the reality was that I made the job what it was worth. You will find the same thing once you get started on establishing yourself out here.

Awesome thanks!!! I'm going to a private local school so I can continue working my full time job until I've graduated and set with a company. As of questions to ask.. what are some good, important questions newbies should ask??

Now is the best time to apply.

Get as many pre-hire letters as you can get - think dozens or better yet, several dozens - make a list of them and the benefits of each one.

When you have so many that you are overwhelmed, then you can start to par down the list. Do this slowly, and be sure that you have a good reason to keep, or remove, a company from your list.

Finally, you should have a short list of no more than six companies that interest you. Rank them from best to worst and you'll be set.

Some recruiters may not be very helpful knowing that your planing so far in advance, but most will work with you (and perhaps even try to convince you to start sooner, which simply means that they want you - not a bad thing...)

Your distance to any particular terminal is not important. All they are concerned with is if you are in their hiring area.

Are you looking for company sponsored training? Or will you be training with a private school, community college, or vocational school? Are you familiar with your training options?

Those are important questions to ask, now is the time to ask them, and you can find the answers right here on this website.

Keep asking questions and good luck!

Thoughts and Prayers for you!! You got this!!! You're going to be a great driver!!!

Looks like I'll be testing for my CDL tomorrow...pre-trip, backing, and road trip. Any prayers, good wishes and/or thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated! Will be out on the yard practicing all day today...I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...lol! I really want to trifecta this puppy!

Hello... I won't be starting school to get my CDL until this Summer (June). Need to save money, take care of some things 1st, etc. Is it too soon to apply for OTR ? Knight terminal is the closest to me, although I can relocate if it's important and or a must to be close to terminals?? Home time for me personally is not too much of a priority, at least the 1st year.

Thanks😀 Everyone be safe!!!

To Rainy D and everyone sharing... Thank You!!! 😀 I'm already learning so much from you even though I haven't been to school yet (going this Summer). I love TT!! The more I read different forums, threads, etc... the more I can't wait to get in the truck!!!!

What are some of the things you learned on your own or needed to know that no one told you before you went solo? I thought we could use this thread to educate newbies ;)

What to do when you jump the fifth wheel ---

If thw landing gear is too high and you back under the trailer, the kingpin then gets "stuck" between the skid plate and the cab.

Easy fix. Drop the airbags, and place a hammer under the lower end of the skid plate. This will raise one end and flatten it. Then drive out from under trailer.

Hey Lisa!! Awesome about Prime! Be safe too😀

Hi! Same here! Going to prime on saturday. Stay safe! :-)

Heather... don't give up and stay positive !! You'll know when you're ready to get back in the drivers seat.. until then, take this time to enjoy time with your son. Remember to breathe and know this isn't the end. Accidents do happen. Be completely honest when talking to other companies about what happened and also get copies of any and all reports, driving records, etc so you know what's what's on there. It's going to work out😀

My goodness, too much had happened while with my first trucking company, I ended up in a chargeable accident, but the state trooper was nice enough to drop the charges to a much lesser charge so I did not aquire any points on my cdl. I had alot of fun while on the road and felt more like I was on a long vacation than work. But after the accident, I lost alot of confidence, and lost my backing skills due to anxiety. I really loved being out there seeing everything, especially going over bridges with the ocean under me. I have not driven any truck since the end of June, I just don't think the timing is right for me at this moment. My question is: How long do I wait till I try again. I know if I wait too long I may lose the ability to drive at all. Just up in the air right now, don't know what to do?

Hey Lynn... I can relate!! I've tried so many different avenues of a career and either not finishing, and or doors not ever opening!!

Now 47, single, no kids.. (the whole family path just never happened for me for some reason). Always making minimum wage... cant even afford to spoil my great nephews, let alone take a trip!!

Many of my jobs have been connected to dealing with truck drivers... and every time I wanted to get in one of those trucks and go too, especially when they had a doggy with them lol. I see more and more solo women drivers as well as teams of husband and wife. 😀

I did a lot of research. The biggest issue for me was going away to school to get my CDL then work for that trucking company. It all sounded like a great deal, only I couldn't afford to just quit my job and leave with no income for a good 4 weeks or so. Or get my CDL hoping a good company would hire a brand new driver with no experience. So I found a school right in town, where I can continue to work my full time job until graduating. This school is connected to 3 or 4 large companies that will hire someone like me. i just got a 2nd job, part time, to save for school.

I decided now is the time... I'm older and seem more mature, lol,... so I'm going for it!!!

One of my trucker buddies where I work now says that the OTR drivers, in general, are a huge community... like family, where we all look out for each other!!! Plus everything is electronic, gps, etc... like logs and your company knows where you're at. There are lots of safe truck stops. It's all different now, then when my dad was a local driver 20+ years ago (I had to share that part with him so he knew I wouldn't be all alone out there) ☺

Congratulations on taking the steps... you got this Lynn!!! I hear Knight is a great company too!! I'm thinking of them or Werner Enterprises. Both let you have pet 🐕❤

I'm a 48 year old woman very seriously considering a truck driving career. The first time I felt drawn to it was in my twenties, but I worried about safety, and well meaning relatives said I was "too smart" to be a truck driver. What the hell. The more I read about this job, the more I hope I'm smart enough.

Anyway, I didn't do it, but every once in a while I'd think, if I were a man, I'd be a trucker. I like to drive and think about things and work by myself. It just suits me, but there was always a reason I couldn't.

Instead, I went to school for a million years, and I got diplomas. Fulfilling, but no one is knocking down my door to hire a 48 year old woman with a fiction writing degree. My income streams are drying up. I'm just about broke. My son is grown. And my milkshake no longer brings the boys to the yard, so I'm not worried about attracting unwanted attention in a male dominated field, so why not?

I was searching online for jobs for middle aged women over-educated in useless things, and I saw an ad, for truck drivers. Just for the heck of it, I applied, and they called me back right away, ready to whisk me off to a motel to start my new career.

Well, it seemed a bit too easy. I put that on the back burner for the moment, but it got me thinking that this might actually be possible. Maybe it's time. And I've spent the last month looking at countless YouTube videos and reading reviews and forums and truck company websites, and I keep waiting for my enthusiasm to wane, but it doesn't.

Now I'm studying for my CDL permit and will call the Knight recruiter back as soon as I've passed (They allow a pet on board, among other things.)

So, since I've been reading your posts so much, I just wanted to introduce myself. Hi!

Just noticed this Ladies section. New to truckertruth, so I had introduced myself in the "general" section. I'm 47, getting my CDL this Summer yaaay!! Always wanted to drive a semi.. and drive OTR. Looking forward to reading your posts, chatting, learning etc. Be safe out there!!!

Opus is a cutie💙!! I'm glad his brother (aka your son) will be with him and his mama while you and soon with your wife are OTR. They'll be with family who loves them and I'm sure spoils them too, lol!!

Turtle how often to you get to see that good boy over your right shoulder? I love dogs and I have a feeling that he is a good one. What's his name?

His name is Opus and yeah he's a good boy and a great friend. I have his mom too.

I begin orientation at Prime a week from Monday. It's gonna kill me to leave him behind, but he'll be with the wife. When I go solo and my wife goes with me, my son is going to rent my house from me so he will take care of the dogs while we're gone.

Hey Errol.. cool thanks for the pets link. Having a pet with me is important!! Porterville is about a half hour from Visalia. Farmersville sounds like it would be somewhere close 😀 I'm originally from Arcadia, CA (San Gabriel Valley).. but I've been like a gypsy and moved a lot since I was 20ish, lol. Have some family here in Visalia. Who knows, I may find another spot as I'm driving all over to hang up my gypsy hat.. well trucker hat?? Lol...

You may be interested in this: List Of Trucking Companies That Allow Pets

Visalia? Isn't that near Farmersville? Beautiful area. Lived in Porterville and Bakersfield for a while.

Hey Turtle!! I stumbled on TT when researching and yah, this really seems to be the best!! I definitely want to hear about the good and not so good about life in trucking. One of my trucker buddies where I work was telling me how OTR truck drivers in general are like a large community... we all lookout for each other like family!!

Yes, welcome Sharron!

As someone who spent the better part of the last year reading and researching various trucking sites, I can honestly say TT is by far the best, most informative, honest, and unbiased trucking site out there.

You will find everyone to be extremely helpful. Painfully honest also, even when it may not be what you want to hear. Believe me when I say we all have your best interest at heart. Good luck!

Thank you Robby.. I'll check them out!! 😀

Welcome Sharron! There is a plethora of great info here so dig and enjoy...here are the top three links for those interested in driving...have fun and God Speed!

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

New to truckingtruth, so I wanted to introduce myself. I'm 47, planning to get my CDL this Summer. I'm a bit of a loner, so driving OTR sounds cool to me... and having a dog as my co-pilot, lol. Wanting to get comfortable driving, and get used to the OTR life before I adopt my furbaby.

Looking forward to reading all your posts, chatting, learning, etc. Be safe out there!!!