Managing Expectations After Getting Out Of Truck Driving School. Are My Expectations Realistic?

I am looking at trucking school. My needs after training, is a job that offers the following nighttime hours. 11 pm and 11am. Ok with up to 3 days on road, home daily is preferred and in the Las Vegas tri state region. This all being just right out of school…. Am I setting myself up for disappointment? Thanks for your time..

Am I setting myself up for disappointment?

I'd normally say yes. Most new truck drivers need to go OTR which would definitely not fit what you are looking for.

These days a lot of the LTL companies are hiring rookie drivers. That may be an option for you in the Las Vegas area. They will have runs that go all night and then you are home during the day. I am not sure I understand what it is you are after because the wording wasn't clear to me. Are you wanting to work from 11pm to 11am? Could you clarify those hours for us. They way you typed it didn't help me understand what it is you need.

Linehaul for an LTL company will be home daily, and an overnight shift. But as a rookie, you won't get first pick of dispatch times. It could end up being 11p to 11a, but it could also be 8p to 8a or 9p to 9a, and until you build up some seniority you have to take what's left over after everyone else makes their bid.

I will be available anytime between 11PM and 11AM. Working night and home during day. These are in a perfect world hours for me. However, I realize this is not a perfect world....I am open to OTH for up to 6 month in order to reach my goals.

Am I setting myself up for disappointment?

I'd normally say yes. Most new truck drivers need to go OTR which would definitely not fit what you are looking for.

These days a lot of the LTL companies are hiring rookie drivers. That may be an option for you in the Las Vegas area. They will have runs that go all night and then you are home during the day. I am not sure I understand what it is you are after because the wording wasn't clear to me. Are you wanting to work from 11pm to 11am? Could you clarify those hours for us. They way you typed it didn't help me understand what it is you need.

I am looking at trucking school. My needs after training, is a job that offers the following nighttime hours. 11 pm and 11am. Ok with up to 3 days on road, home daily is preferred and in the Las Vegas tri state region. This all being just right out of school…. Am I setting myself up for disappointment? Thanks for your time..

You are not setting yourself up for failure. Gone are the days where rookie drivers can't get local jobs. Trucking companies are in desperate need of butts in seats. You will have no problem finding a local job, but the sticking point may be those hours. As you mentioned, that is an ideal scenario, so just be mentally prepared for a less-than ideal schedule. Oh, what I mentioned as far as you not having any problem finding a local job hinges on your background and MVR being clear. Best of luck to you and keep posting updates.

I am looking at trucking school. My needs after training, is a job that offers the following nighttime hours. 11 pm and 11am. Ok with up to 3 days on road, home daily is preferred and in the Las Vegas tri state region. This all being just right out of school…. Am I setting myself up for disappointment? Thanks for your time..

You are not setting yourself up for failure. Gone are the days where rookie drivers can't get local jobs. Trucking companies are in desperate need of butts in seats. You will have no problem finding a local job, but the sticking point may be those hours. As you mentioned, that is an ideal scenario, so just be mentally prepared for a less-than ideal schedule. Oh, what I mentioned as far as you not having any problem finding a local job hinges on your background and MVR being clear. Best of luck to you and keep posting updates.

What is the basis for anything you said?

I am looking at trucking school. My needs after training, is a job that offers the following nighttime hours. 11 pm and 11am. Ok with up to 3 days on road, home daily is preferred and in the Las Vegas tri state region. This all being just right out of school…. Am I setting myself up for disappointment? Thanks for your time..

You are not setting yourself up for failure. Gone are the days where rookie drivers can't get local jobs. Trucking companies are in desperate need of butts in seats. You will have no problem finding a local job, but the sticking point may be those hours. As you mentioned, that is an ideal scenario, so just be mentally prepared for a less-than ideal schedule. Oh, what I mentioned as far as you not having any problem finding a local job hinges on your background and MVR being clear. Best of luck to you and keep posting updates.

What is the basis for anything you said?

Fact. The shortage of drivers with trucking companies is well documented. LTL companies hire people straight out of CDL school quite regularly now. Do you have anything of concrete substance to refute what I have stated, something other than referencing what was true in the industry 20 years ago?

Following. . .

~ Anne ~

Kerry, you are going to have to be careful how you give advice. Beverly's main question is, "are my expectations realistic?" It's a great question, and one in which none of us really knows the answer. LTL jobs are highly dependent on your location. We don't know hers - she hasn't shared it with us. It is also alarming how many people think that jobs are suddenly available for rookies just because the media tells us there is a driver shortage. There have been reports of driver shortages for decades now. Why all of a sudden do newcomers think, "This is great, they will hire anybody now days!"

I encouraged her to look into LTL. It sounds like what she needs, but just because a person may get hired in a local home nightly position doesn't mean all is well. History has shown us there are some real problems associated with starting a trucking career that way. We are trying to help her set some realistic expectations. We have members here who started with LTL who have done well, and continue to do well. We have also had a few who had a very minor accident and then got thrown to the curb and had a devil of a time finding work as a driver. I can think of two or three right off the top of my head. These companies are not really set up as self-insured entities and there lies the problem. The large OTR companies can and do put a lot more effort into helping new drivers get established. They will be quick to provide more training or help if the driver is struggling with safety issues. We want new drivers and drivers like yourself who have limited experience and are trying to get back in to learn how "best practices" can help them get established in a successful trucking career.

You may think the industry standards have changed considerably because of a perceived shortage of drivers, but I don't recommend counting those chicks before they've hatched. That's what I mean about realistic expectations. Right now you may have high expectations for yourself and that is fine. You have a little experience that will help you in your search. Beverly has none. We want to guide her carefully so she can make a solid start. You have already experienced somewhat of a sudden shock when you started, so you know how easily things can go south in this business. We want to help her have a good understanding of what she is up against. Telling her a driver shortage has made it a cake walk to get in wherever she wants is not good advice, and it is based on your perceptions not solid facts.

I am looking at trucking school. My needs after training, is a job that offers the following nighttime hours. 11 pm and 11am. Ok with up to 3 days on road, home daily is preferred and in the Las Vegas tri state region. This all being just right out of school…. Am I setting myself up for disappointment? Thanks for your time..

You are not setting yourself up for failure. Gone are the days where rookie drivers can't get local jobs. Trucking companies are in desperate need of butts in seats. You will have no problem finding a local job, but the sticking point may be those hours. As you mentioned, that is an ideal scenario, so just be mentally prepared for a less-than ideal schedule. Oh, what I mentioned as far as you not having any problem finding a local job hinges on your background and MVR being clear. Best of luck to you and keep posting updates.

What is the basis for anything you said?

Fact. The shortage of drivers with trucking companies is well documented. LTL companies hire people straight out of CDL school quite regularly now. Do you have anything of concrete substance to refute what I have stated, something other than referencing what was true in the industry 20 years ago?

Joe Biden is an alien!

Do you have anything of concrete substance to refute that?

In the world of "facts" you don't get to throw out unsubstantiated statements and then demand others prove you wrong.

YOU have to support what YOU say with facts and reason.