Advice Needed. Help Out A Veteran With A Passion For The Open Road.

Howdy fella's!

I'm somewhat in between a rock and a hard place at this point in time. Looking for advice from experienced drivers, fleet owners, and anybody else who'd like to comment on my current situation. Any and all help will be GREATLY appreciated.

I'm in search of a carrier or fleet owner who may be willing to bring a new driver with no verifiable OTR experience into their organization. I'm an Army & OEF veteran who has recently been honorably discharged and is now preparing for a professional driving career in the civilian sector. My time in the service was spent as an operator of route clearance MRAP equipped vehicles, or mine resistant ambush protectant. While I'm well aware this is NOT directly relevant to the operation of tractor trailers, it shows adequete experience in air brake equipped vehicles at the least.

I have already attained my CDL permit, and have been traveling OTR with a good friend of mine who happens to be an O/O. I am more than confident in my abilities, and will be testing for my license and hazmat cert this coming week.

I'd like to consider myself somewhat intelligent, and try to gain as much knowledge on anything that makes an impact on my life, my employment future is obviously no different. Through my research I've lost quite a bit of enthusiasm, to be honest. The effect that mega carriers have had on this industry is disgusting, for lack of a better word. The worst part about it? They still manage to bring thousands of new CDL graduates in every week at the blink of an eye. Failure to research other alternatives to these "CDL mill" programs just allow these money hungry corporations the ability to continue paying their employees next to nothing. I, however, REFUSE to put in my "mandatory 1 year OTR exp" with one of these organizations. I need to be given the opportunity to prove myself, though, and I feel an interview would potentially get my foot in the door.

I understand the risks associated with placing a newer driver behind the wheel of such an expensive rig, and the effects it may have on insurance rates as well. I WOULD EVEN BE WILLING TO COVER THE COSTS OF MY INSURANCE for a period of time, I believe that speaks volumes for my passion and dedication towards making this a career.

I take pride in my work and even more so in my driving abilities, and this is sure to show in my performance.

I ALMOST FORGOT!

Anyone who decides to give me a shot is eligible for over $5,000.00 of free cash from the federal government, paid to you on the coming years tax return. I've taken it upon myself to study the necessary process, and will ensure my employer correctly submits the necessary form. This is a sure thing as well, and I would be more than happy to walk you through the process if interested.

I also possess very adequete mechanical abilities and understand the proper methods to care for and operate the equipment that your hard earned money is invested in. This equates to less profit going towards repairs, as you all know very well the importance of proper maintenance. In addition to this, I have signifigant experience in automotive detailing, and will regularly perform paint corrections, polishing, and general cleaning. The appearance of your rig is paramount in this industry, and I guarantee to surpass your expectations in that department.

Hopefully somebody has a word of advice that can put my mind at ease. I want nothing more than to make this work and I'm determined to do just that.

Thanks in advance for any help! Most importantly, drive safe!

Well...first of all..WELCOME TO TT, MidwestSAPPER..and THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE...we are glad to have you here. And if you will allow me, I will try to give you some insight into the trucking world. The biggest crack in your great plan has to do with the requirements that nearly all trucking companies have....You need approx. 160 hr in instruction and training, plus air brake certification before their insurance company will let them hire you, to drive their truck. I truly understand your urge to stay out of the big companies...But those same big companies carry the majority of the freight. And when it comes down to it for a company driver, its all about the miles, cuz the miles make the money. Now if you are an O/O, like I was..its about the pay per mile, then the miles...but it all works out the same. If those wheels ain't turnin', you ain't makin' no money. Its great that you have all the military background..it will serve you well, and any company that takes you on as a driver will benefit from it. And its wonderful that you have been able to run with an O/O, you have learned things from very good angle, when it comes to trucking. But the truth don't lie.....And there isn't any way that you can break into trucking without the "necessities"...When TSB and I got into trucking as O/O's, I bought the first truck...and our insurance company would not let me drive it !!! I had to have a CDL A, and TSB had to show that he had enough experience to "train me"...yup,,they will let you buy 150k worth of equipment..but that ain't sayin' they will let you drive it. There may be a small company that will take you on without the usual stuff..And I'd guess you can search those out. But nowdays, a driver has to keep a sharp eye on his CDL with the new points system...so beware what they ask you to do, and what you agree to do...those points check off really fast. I hope some of the other people here have better advice for you...Good Luck.

I agree with Starcar. Insurance companines control who can and can not be hired by those that own the trucks. You will need to go through a school that has a minimum 160 hour course but that is not the most important thing. Companies have to hire people that went through the school you need to go through.

Being bullheaded and refusing to go the route that all drivers had to go through by obtaining real experience will not get ya far as you are now seeing.

Small fleet and large companies and O/O's all have to answer to the insurance companies. Starcar gave a good example when she first started driving. The insurance company would not even allow her to drive her own truck that she had bought.

There really is no short cut to getting into the trucking industry.

To Refer to company sponsored schools as a "CDL Mills" is completely wrong and so far off base it's not even funny. I see you have been hanging around those other negative forums.

Company sponsored schools exactly what you pay them to do. They teach you just enough to past the test to help you get your CDL and THEN you go into training after schooling with a company you will be working for. YOU pay THEM to help you get your CDL and that is what they do and they do it very well. only 2% of what you learn is in school. The other 98% is learned on the job.