Comments By Robert

Truck driving is a tough gig, especially OTR, and clearly isn't for everyone. I have made a similar decision. I recently got my CDL (Class A), and I briefly worked for a local haulier and was offered another driving job, but have since started working at the USPS as a rural letter carrier. Money and hours are OK, and although it will take a few years to become a 'regular', my wife is a doctor so I'm in a fortunate position where I don't even have to work, but like someone said on this forum, I think it is important for a man to do work of some kind! Good luck to you!

So I'm thinking of relocating and driving a truck in the States, I drive one here in the UK, have done for 10 years or more, guess you're all gonna tell me not to bother, or maybe you'll help me live my dream.

Immigration Forums elsewhere on the web will be your best bet as you will need a Green Card to work here legally (I'm assuming you aren't a US citizen).

So you got a job right away and you didn't like it. I'd guess if you were making great money you would have liked it. Now you're going to leave and start over somewhere else with no seniority and no proven track record of performance. It's going to cost you even more money transitioning from one job to the next. So that $2,000 tuition has to be weighed against what you would have been paid to get your CDL at a company-sponsored program and against the wages you would have made if you had gotten good miles and made good money straight out of the gate with a company you were happy with.

Yes 20 hours was not a typo and actually the money was very good! The reasons for me leaving are personal and not taken lightly, from what I could tell they were a good employer, we left on good terms and I was respectful enough to let them know it wasn't for me during my training period with them. At the end of the day you can only determine whether a job is right for you by actually going out there and doing it. If staying with an employer for such a short time has a detrimental effect on my chances of being hired then so be it but the guy taking me on now understands my reasons for leaving my last job, I have nothing to hide, my mantra is that honesty is always the best policy. Also at my stage of life I have come to realize family and health are the two most important things, and I want a job that provides a good work/life balance, and I am optimistic this next job will be more suited to this need.

As I read more and more on this site I am realizing that most everyone is going through a company sponsored training. Am I making the wrong decision to goto a community college? I already have medical card, and learners permit. Orientation is tomorrow with drug testing. Then class starts mid to late October.

I chose this route honestly because I am not sure the direction I want to go with trucking.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

I attended community college. I opted for their 20 hour course and got my CDL at first time of trying. Got a job straight away. For a number of reasons I won't go into it wasn't to my liking. Just been offered another job so would have to say the community college route suited me fine and only cost $2000 for everything and I am completely a free agent!

To be legally employed in the US you will have to either be a citizen or have a Green Card, it's that simple.

Joined USAF at 17 in 1985. I was based at Avon Park Air force base in Florida as a heavy equipment operator. At 18 I was putting heavy equipment, including D9 bulldozers, on the back of low loaders and let me tell you driving this massive beast up a ramp and onto the back of a low load trailer (a trailer always appeared a quarter of the required width), was no easy task and took nerves of steel, especially when going over the rear trailer wheels where it felt for sure you would tip off the edge. I would typically transport heavy equipment to different parts of the base, the total journey was never more than 20 miles, but felt much much longer due to having to negotiate narrow, twisty, uneven, sandy and poorly graded roads and over rickety bridges. We occasionally drove off base, this was really easy in comparison to driving on base although Tampa city center during rush hour was a test for sure.

I then moved to the UK where I attended university. I became a CSI and did it for nearly 20 years. Recently re married and now back in the states. Just obtained my CDL so I am very much a newbie, but the experience I had in the military will hold me in good stead, even though it's been nearly thirty years. Very much looking forward to starting a new job with a local company who decided to give this Newbie a chance, it's not great pay but they are an honest, highly rated company, where driver turnover is very very low, more than anything am looking forward to being home every night with my family, who are the most important thing in my life.

I know no-one is asking me and this is not that relevant to this specific topic but I'll say it anyway, the best advice I can give anyone from my 50 years of life both in the UK and the US is always give 100 per cent in any job, but first make sure you do as much research about a particular employer or job role prior to agreeing to do it, this will avoid wasting your time, as well as that of your employer.

Lastly, having work and a job is very very important but no job is worth more than your family, your health and friends.

I nailed the alley dock reversing during my CDL test, only got out once to check if trailer in end box, yet I struggled with offset parking and even though I passed and got my CDEL during the road test I missed gears, I brushed the trailer wheels against a kerb (luckily instructor didn't notice cos I think this would be a fail), at the end of the test the examiner said it wasn't pretty, but passed me. Fact is we all have strengths and weaknesses, my own is changing and finding the gears but I think the examiner was generous on the day and could see I was overall a safe driver. From someone who has just gotten their CDL, the best tip I can offer when reversing is do it slowly then you have plenty of time to make corrections when you see the trailer going the wrong direction. Also keep the angle between cab and trailer as shallow as you can by starting your turns early, especially with alley docking. Remember when reversing, Righty Tighty, i.e. turning the steering wheel to the right will bring the rear of trailer in towards you, Lefty Loosely, away from you, OR when you turn the steering wheel travelling in reverse, the trailer will turn in the same direction as you turn the BOTTOM of the steering wheel (as opposed to the top when driving forward). Years ago I learned to fly and the instructor let me go solo after 4 hours, you will not be allowed on the road solo in a truck after this short space of time, this says a lot about how much there is to learn but you will get there, stick with it! Now comes the hard part for me, finding a job!!!

Did not start interview with Schneider, going to try and find a local job before committing to a big company. Have an interview and driving exam with a food retailer on Thursday who aren't put off by my inexperience, pay relatively low at £16.65 per hour but I will be home most nights and weekends. If all else fails will get back in touch with Schneider or similar company in a month or so and agree to start with them

I think I may be getting confused between OTR and Regional, it must be a Regional gig then. Yes I agree that hauling milk may best be left to experienced truckers, I joked to my wife that with me driving it would probably start off as milk but end up as cheese by the time it's offloaded!

Schneider is probably the best place I can start then, will update you all on the outcome of the interview, I recall them saying that the intakes are every Monday.

After recently obtaining Class A CDL I have a telephone interview with Schneider arranged for Monday. They have already offered me a conditional offer of OTR employment, promising weekends home. If accepted they said something about 18 day training in Chicago (forgot to ask whether I would have to pay for this). Schneider seems to have pretty good reviews, I will continue to trawl through the forums to get as much info as possible about them, meanwhile does anyone have any suggestions as to the type of questions I should ask the recruiter on Monday?

The other possible option is hauling milk tankers between farms here in western PA, a couple of potential employers have said they may take my military background driving into consideration, but would have to speak to their insurance companies first, but they did seem quite keen on me as an applicant, at least over the phone. Has anyone had any experience with this type of work, I'm guessing it's not easy with having to make several drops, but the big advantage is being home every night and knowing what you are doing day to day!

Thanks in advance. Rob