Interested In Trucking, Not Yet Committed... Is This Right For Me?

I'm done trying to make it work in an office setting. I'm tired of working around people, especially the kind of corporate snobs who care less about the quality of the work you do than whether or not you're being a "team player" while doing it or some such nonsense. I'm sick of stressing out about my piece-of-crap Honda and footing the bill for all the repairs coming up lately. I'm tired of paying $1,000 a month for a hole in the wall to sleep in. Money comes in then it flies right back out. I want to get away from people and simplify my lifestyle. Trucking seems like the only industry that allows for that. Your transportation is your truck, your home is your truck, the company pays for fuel, the company pays YOU to stay in it, and since the company owns it they handle repairs when something goes wrong. Sounds ideal.

I've done some homework on the industry and the lifestyle. I know truckers spend the vast majority of their time alone, that's fine... I spend tons of time alone. I'm enough of an anti-people person that I'm scared to death of the training period and having to spend a full month (or two months, with Prime according to their website) in some guy's truck who I've never met and may or may not get along with. I snore like a walrus and I like my sleeping area to be chilly, so odds are one of us is going to be miserable. Solitude is no hurdle for me... as long as I have decent internet and air conditioning.

Here's the rub - I don't know **** about trucks or the inner workings of motor vehicles (I was never taught any of this stuff growing up, my dad doesn't know anything either). I've never operated a manual transmission either. Do all schools/company programs start from ground zero? I'm not kidding when I say that I'm clueless. I can gas up and open the hood of my own car, that's about it. I don't think I've ever checked my own oil... if I have, I've since forgotten how. I just take it to the shop every few months and let them do it.

I've looked into companies a bit. Prime seems like a good company but also picky with hiring. I know Swift isn't highly regarded (although I don't know why), but if I have no other option. Roehl seems well-liked but Florida is outside of their hiring area. I've talked to Stevens recruiters but they don't host any kind of CDL training, they want me to go some junkyard across town for 12 hours a day (not an option without reliable transportation, which my Honda is not). Opinions on them seem to be mixed anyway. CR appears to be universally disliked.

I don't know. Based on what I've said, is this industry right for me? Is there something important that I'm overlooking? My biggest fear is that training period. I know it's necessary, but I can hardly spend 4 hours with somebody before needing to escape. 4 weeks (or more)? In a truck? Yikes.

Welcome to Trucking Truth. This can be a very rewarding career. Here is our starter package of information.

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

The High Road Trang is the best free study guide for passing your CDL permit test.

I was trained for and work for CFI. I trained on and took my CDL test on a manual transmission. CFI has an all automatic fleet. With CFI, you will be with your trainer, on their truck, for at least 7500 miles. (about 3 weeks) I am very happy with CFI as a company.

It will also be helpful for you to read through some of the training diaries .

Good luck. We are here to help.

Welcome to the forum Andrew. I highly recommend reading all of the information Big Scott sent you, beginning with Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving, then moving to Truck Driver's Career Guide.

The High Road CDL Training Program is designed to take the guesswork out of studying for the CLP (permit) exams. All of the recent students in the forum will confirm it's a valuable tool that definitely gave them an edge not only with the permit exams, but in their overall knowledge and retention rate.

One last comment for you to consider...good drivers can be successful for most any company; including Swift, CR England, CRST, CFI...etc. We constantly reinforce this on here. Unless you know where to look and what you need, general trucking research on the interweb will likely confuse more and inform less.

Spend some time getting to know this site, the Blog Section, all of TT's tools and resources designed to assist folks in your exact place...at the beginning.

Good luck!

That first paragraph encapsulates what I've been feeling over the last few months.

Welcome

Like G-Town says often, be careful about what you read as far was company reviews on the web. They are probably terminal rats. I am having to put my truck driving career on hold as it looks like I am not quit done here in the military. BUT, I got a prehire from CRST and had a meeting with Jim Palmer, but like I said all is on hold. Honestly, any one company will have the people that speak highly of them, Top Tier Drivers, and another group that says they are the worst company in the world Terminal Rats. Just like any other job, you get out of it, what you put into it. Apply to all those you can, and then choose based on what's important. For me, I like Jim Palmer training plan. It is similar to Prime's, as you head out with a trainer right after you get your Permit. Other schools, you get your CDL while in school, then head out with a lead driver....Just depends on what fits you.

Best of Luck

Yes, they all will teach you from the ground up. As far as "under the hood" if you can check a fluid level, and remember a few verbs.... you'll be just fine. It does help to have a little bit of mechanical knowledge, but is in no way, shape, or form, an mandatory skill.

That first paragraph encapsulates what I've been feeling over the last few months.

Me, too. But for the last 2 years.

On the fence?

Check out this blog article:

How Do I Know Truck Driving is Right for Me