My First Run Is Coming Soon!

Moe to add to what I mentioned earlier passing your CDL test is the easy part. Again, not to put you down but you struggled greatly passing the state test. That was in a relatively controlled environment. The idea of living in the truck with a stranger doesnt appeal to me but its necessary. I've had my CDL for just shy of 3 years. I spent the first year and a half of my career delivering downtown backing into narrow alleyways during rush hour. Currently I drive maybe 1500 miles a week. If I were to ever make the jump to OTR most companies would require I go out with a trainer. Why though, I have demonstrated that I know how to handle the vehicle with my past experience. The truth is there's far more to being successful in trucking than keeping the truck between the lines and bumping a dock.. Not only would most companies require I go with a trainer but I'd want to just to help me be successful. I am confident in my ability to bump nearly any dock I face or get down the road safely it's all the other minor things. Trip planning, chains of communication in your company, breakdowns, scaling, submitting paperwork so you get paid among many other things that would be covered in training. 15k may sound like it's a good load but if its windy that weight won't help weigh you down and will be worse than a 40k load.

I truly hope it works out for you. I'm sure you feel this is your best option and it's your choice. I just want you to proceed with caution. We've seen many people ATTEMPT to get started in trucking by taking shortcuts that goes against everything the site preaches. What's ended up happening most times is the new driver ends up having a couple minor accidents or tickets. Now you're out of a job and nobody will hire you due to your record. After searching for 3 months you finally find a company willing you take you on. You will be on a much shorter leash than somebody that had gone through there Paid CDL Training Programs. If they feel you're struggling with backing at all they may decide to just cut there losses and send you home. Now you've been out of a truck for 4 months and sent home from 2 companies.

I bring this up because we've seen it happen. We have a member here who thought he had the perfect gig. JB Hunt made an exception to requiring experience and brought him on as a brand new driver. A couple days into training he fell off the steps of the tractor. He was immediately terminated. He was out for several months before being given an opportunity with Schneider. After struggling with backing on the pad he was sent home. After a few more months he got on with Veriha. Things were really starting to look up. That is until they felt his backing wasn't satisfactory. Sent home again. Next was Dutch Maid. Once again things are looking like it'll work out. They also felt his skills weren't where they're supposed to be. This all played out over atleast 1 year, possibly 2. *Disclaimer* he also was dealing with unrelated medical concerns during this time. He had to have applied to atleast a hundred companies and only had those 4 opportunities. Each time it didn't work out made it even more difficult to land another chance. He hasn't posted for a while so I'm unsure if he's still trying to get hired or if he's decided trucking isnt for him. There's a reason we recommend those entering this career to follow a certain path. Its proven to be quite successful at getting drivers best prepared to be safe, professional drivers and turn this into a very lucrative career.

For anybody else reading along we firmly believe the road to success begins by attending a Paid CDL Training Programs. These companies are fully invested in making you safe and successful so they can make money as well. They're better equipped financially to take additional time to ensure you're trained properly and understand rookie mistakes happen. It's not too often we hear of anybody being fired for a minor backing accident at any of the mega carriers unless it easy negligence or happens frequently. We hear about it a decent amount with local or small companies. Give them at a bare minimum 1 year (or more depending on contract) of safe driving while maintaining 100% on time deliveries and then you'll be in a much better position to have your pick of jobs that fit you better.