Comments By Sparky

That's great news. Did it take him 3 months for training? They told me 30k miles with a trainer (so about a 3 months I think).

My son just got his first dispatch yesterday after all training and solo week with Wil-Trans. He has had a very positive experience and is happy.

I work in a warehouse right now. It only nets me about 20k a year, if that. I'm tired of it though, I want to see the world.

What field are you leaving to start driving? There are going to be a few times you're going to want to throw in the towel while training and your first year so please dont be afraid of asking for help or advice. I look forward to reading your diary if you have the time for it.

I'm sure I'll be very glad. I'm doing this for a change in a career, and also more of a pay. I want to be more financially stable and though I hear a lot of people complaining about money in trucking, it's a lot more than what I'm currently bringing. But like I said, I just want a change in life mostly.

You've got time to work your way through our High Road CDL Training Program.

It was a game changer for the beginning of my trucking career. You'll be glad you did it.

So after much research and thinking I decided to go with Wilson. I was focused on a company with a good pet policy that allowed cats. I liked their pay, their insurance, deadhead/detention and layover policies as well. Not a fan of their home time policy but they do the western 10 and since I live in California I won't be too far from home. I don't like the idea of being with a trainer for three first 30k miles but I guess that much is better for me in the end.

I've heard plenty good things about Wilson so I'm pretty confident I'll enjoy my time. I have until the 29th and I've been studying my brakes, general knowledge, and combination (they told me to study those 3 sections).

I'll be studying until then and I'll be writing down my experience here as the diary. I'm looking forward to this adventure.

Hey G town, I couldn't find a message option. But since you drive for Swift could you shed some light on their pet policy? I want to bring my cat once I become a solo driver, would I be able to? Thanks

Granted school buses and 18 wheelers are different but, compared to driving a car I see several similarities.

Care to explain what you mean by this?

Driving a car is absolutely nothing like driving a tractor trailer.

Yes I read the list but it needs to be updated. It says Swift allows pets but under a certain weight. But when I call they say only dogs are allowed, no cats. Can anyone from experience tell me of which companies allow cats or if they know anyone from another company that allows them?

Hello all,

This is my first time posting but been a lurker for a good while now. I got in contact with a Swift recruiter and they want to reserve a spot for me over here in Cali. They went over the program with me and said that as of right now they only have regional openings (I wanted something strictly California or "dedicated" but they said no openings were available). I've always been interested in trucking, always had respect for truckers and always wanted to get into it and now it seems I might actually have the chance. But I'm just worried about the long time away (for every 6 days of driving I get 1 day off optional). And they don't allow cats.. dogs yes but cats no so I have to ask a my gf to take care of my cat for me and I might look into getting a dog. I've been driving (class C) regular motor vehicle since I was 18 (I'm 28 now) so I'm not sure if understanding a new driving method will be any easier.

I'm both nervous and excited and I just wanted to thank everyone who posted that helped me with getting my confidence up and helping me gain more knowledge of the industry. If there are any tips (that I haven't already read through the many useful links) about getting started or what to expect or what not to do please let me know. This is a new chapter in my life and I want it to be a good one worth reading. :)