Comments By John H.

John H

What is so hard to understand what everyone is saying on here?

Raptor

I acknowledged the best route, thanks to the understanding posters here and thier advice. To hog pile without reading my conclusion doesn't do anything for a new, aspiring driver. In fact, the short, condescending comments will turn away anyone who's curious about this career.

Wow. Great group of people here. I really appreciate all of you guys taking the time to help out. I feel way stupid, but smarter at the time. Again, Thanks all. I'd like to contribute here one day. I'll keep trying to learn for now. Drive safe!

I've been looking in to company paid programs on craigslist today, no luck. Maybe craigslist isn't the right place. I did find an ad for a local straight truck driver w/ no experience required. After listening to you fellas, I'm skeptical of the ad. I'll keep looking to find one of the bigger outfits you guys mention. Thanks.

No, I don't feel insulted. Just getting the hard truth from the pros. Though the comment about me being a tire kicker with no commitment was a bit much. Must know me or my "type". I was ignorant is all. I should of visited here before jumping in and thinking CDL=job. Live and learn. I want to keep at it and do this. I appreciate everyone taking the time to respond.

Ok, thanks.

Ok, so company paid training is the only way to get into driving. Everything else is a fool's errand. These companies make me a little nervous. A sign on bonus and paid training, what if 3 weeks In I find out it's not for me. The bonus would be paid back and I imagine any time training me would also run up a bill. I hate signing things, but if it's the only way, I will look into it. Thanks.

Ok thanks all! Still have my fingers crossed that some desperate local looking to fill a class b spot will give me a chance. Looks like it boils down to insurance more than anything though. Still hopefull. If it doesn't pan out (which the experienced drivers here say it most likely wont) then I'll go back to grunt work and save up for a respected school. Thanks again guys, seems like a daunting task right now. If I complete it, I'll be a 4th generation truck driver! Kind of cool. Just wish they were still around.

Thanks for all the help, Old School. I'll try for another month or two to get on with someone who employ me with my current situation. Sounding pretty bleak. Then I guess it's back to square one.

It's a completely different business environment from your grandfather's days. You don't have to be OTR for life. All the smaller outfits with class B jobs just need to see one year of experience. That's the way they can afford to bring you on board. They need that verifiable experience to get a decent rate for insuring you.

Trust me, that one year of OTR will fly by. You'll either love it or hate it. I can't tell you how many people like you wanted to just get that one year over with, and then discovered they really liked the job and the big paychecks.

So to confirm everything said, go back and get a class A from a real school. Sign on with an otr outfit for minimum of 1 year, then go from there?

Summing up that my class B is useless. Million to one type of long shot that any cement, dump, septic, lp, straight truck company would hire me? Ouch. Ok thanks for your help.

John, you just made a mistake. It can be reversed. Apparently you didn't realize how this works, but you can get your foot in the door if you do it properly. Every great once in a while somebody sneaks in with your approach, but it's highly unlikely and fraught with risk.

Wasn't sure how to go about it. Im mid 20's looking for work, my Grandpa was a dump truck driver most of his career and said he preferred it to otr. I figured a class B with endorsements and I'd be set.