Let The Journey Begin

Well I finally made the leap today. I was originally set to go with Knight on the 23rd. It wasn't what I really wanted but seemed like the best option at the time. Company paid school, paid training and all that good stuff. Even had a Western Regional position. Everything was good right? Well I thought so until I put a budget down on paper and figured out what I would be making. Even if I got 2500 miles per week based on their pay scale, I would barely be breaking even. I would have the added expenses of having to leave the truck at their yard during home time and driving almost 2 hours home and back. My Jeep gets about 14 miles to the gallon. Ouch!!

So since I had a while before starting Knights school, I decided to do some more research on the companies that I had originally wanted to go with. The first 2 being Roehl and Schneider. I know I want to be a flatbed driver. Both of these companies offer that. Knight doesn't. The pay to start with these companies is more than I would make with Knight after a year. Knight starts out at 27cpm and after a year I'd be at 30cpm. Roehl starts out at 33cpm and at the end of the year I could be at 39-41cpm. Rhoel Western Regional drivers average 2000-2200 miles per week. About the same as Knight. So the pay will be significantly more doing what I really want to do anyways.

In order to make my dream come to fruition, I had to take out a loan with my horrible credit rating and am paying interest through the wazoo. I had to do this because I was denied for a school loan. But with my determination and willpower, I WILL get my cdl and get the job that I want. I don't care if I have Hitler's cousin as a trainer. I will do whatever it takes to make this happen. I have already been background checked and offered a trip to Roehl pending me getting my cdl. I also have an application with Schneider but have been playing phone tag with the recruiter. She stated she was very excited to talk with me, so I assume they liked my app. I plan on having additional companies to fall back on just in case.

So I went down to Phx and paid for school. Got my schedule. Going to be staying at a friends house about 15 minutes away so no hotel expenses. Also talked to my Roehl recruiter and should be set to go to WI around Oct 16 for their orientation. I can't wait. The suspense is killing me. Oh well. Gives me more time to finish studying up on Hazmat , Logbook , Weights and Measures and pre-trip.

Roehl, here I come!!!!!

But with my determination and willpower, I WILL get my cdl and get the job that I want. I don't care if I have Hitler's cousin as a trainer. I will do whatever it takes to make this happen.

Andy, I'm liking what I see here! That's exactly what it took for me to get into the job I wanted. Determination and persistence are your best friends when first trying to get started in this. Hang in there, it won't be hard at all for you to pay that loan back once you get started working. In flat-bedding if you are willing to work hard you can make more than the average driver - actually that's probably true in all truck driving jobs, I just know from my experience in flat-bedding that it's true.

When you first get started going solo it's going to seem like you're a little slow at the load securement and tarping work and it can be a little frustrating, but you will soon develop your own style and method for getting it done. Remember that having a great attitude, and being responsible and timely with your first loads will go along way toward building a good solid relationship with your dispatcher. That relationship will be the most crucial thing in this crazy lifestyle that helps you be successful. Any time a dispatcher has a driver on his board that doesn't bother him with trivial phone calls, and consistently gets his job done and works out his own problems without having to be babysat day in and day out he notices and counts on that driver in ways that he never would an average driver. If you continue to prove yourself, it benefits that dispatcher and they will keep you in mind for the good stuff when it comes around. I know you're just getting started with school, but that's the time when you want to learn to keep that good attitude shining through, because during school and your first month with a trainer they will give you plenty of chances to show what kind of character you're made of.

Best of luck to ya! I'll definitely be following along on your progress so keep us posted on how things are going. And if you need a little help with something be sure and ask us.

But with my determination and willpower, I WILL get my cdl and get the job that I want. I don't care if I have Hitler's cousin as a trainer. I will do whatever it takes to make this happen.

Andy, I'm liking what I see here! That's exactly what it took for me to get into the job I wanted. Determination and persistence are your best friends when first trying to get started in this. Hang in there, it won't be hard at all for you to pay that loan back once you get started working. In flat-bedding if you are willing to work hard you can make more than the average driver - actually that's probably true in all truck driving jobs, I just know from my experience in flat-bedding that it's true.

When you first get started going solo it's going to seem like you're a little slow at the load securement and tarping work and it can be a little frustrating, but you will soon develop your own style and method for getting it done. Remember that having a great attitude, and being responsible and timely with your first loads will go along way toward building a good solid relationship with your dispatcher. That relationship will be the most crucial thing in this crazy lifestyle that helps you be successful. Any time a dispatcher has a driver on his board that doesn't bother him with trivial phone calls, and consistently gets his job done and works out his own problems without having to be babysat day in and day out he notices and counts on that driver in ways that he never would an average driver. If you continue to prove yourself, it benefits that dispatcher and they will keep you in mind for the good stuff when it comes around. I know you're just getting started with school, but that's the time when you want to learn to keep that good attitude shining through, because during school and your first month with a trainer they will give you plenty of chances to show what kind of character you're made of.

Best of luck to ya! I'll definitely be following along on your progress so keep us posted on how things are going. And if you need a little help with something be sure and ask us.

Thanks for the support, Old School. I have no doubt that I'll succeed at being a truck driver. I am a very hard worker and actually prefer hard work over easy jobs. I understand there are going to be some bad days and days where I'll probably want to throw my trainer out of the truck. But I know it's all only temporary in the scheme of things. I don't think I would have made the plunge and gotten this far without TT to be honest. The people on here and the info you all have given has been the determining factor in my decisions to continue with this pursuit of a long time dream of mine. I've had trucking in the back of my mind for about 15 years now. I think it's time to make that dream a reality.