Soon To Be Graduate

Hello ladies,

first i would like to say i'm very excited about being in this forum. I'm attending Harrisburg Commuinity college and im upgrading my CDL class B to an A although i have driven a city bus for 8 yrs i'm ready to drive trucks. Is there any advice you can give me ie: what company to apply for, what to look for, what does sign on bonus mean and how its paid, companies that hire women, can i decide if i want to drive at night can i decide if i want to drive hazerdous materials. just a few of my questions. HOPE to hear from someone Thank you

Welcome aboard Terri. As a rookie you will not receive a sign on bonus. Those are usually for experiences drivers. You will mot be able to dictate when you eant to drive ie night or day. You should take the loads assignes to you that are feasible with your hours and run them. If you have a hazmat endorsement and your company hauls hazmat then yes you can but without the endorsement you can not. All companies hire woman. Matter of fact we are a hot commodity albeit hard to train because of lack of female trainers. The company you go to depends on what you are looking for and your needs. Best advice I can give you is research research research then research some more. Know what your getting into and what you want from this life then be realistic in actually being able to attain what you want. Plus always keep a positive attitude. This life is not an easy one.

Some companies do offer rookies sign on bonuses. CRST is one. It isn't much but it can help cover that first week on the road. I think it was 120 dollars.

Didnt know that Mistelle but CRST is also a team company. In your case that works but in solo cases it doesnt. Matter of fact teams tend to get sign on bonuses.

Well, since Terri will be somewhere between a student and a rookie, there may be companies that pay a sign on bonus..I don't know of any, but they may be out there. My advice is to APPLY to all of them...and then get picky...but in reality, you just go with the company you think will give you the best of what you want.....home time...pay...team or solo...type of freight...regional/ lower 48/ or including Canada....theres alot of variables.SO....make a list...what do you want to haul ?? Reefer , dry box, flatnbed....Where do you want to run?? regional , lower 48, or including Canada.....What kind of pay are you looking for ??? And sometimes the pay isn't the real issue, when it conflicts with other issues. So write down what you want, then apply everywhere...and ask the recruiters what they can do for you. Everyone needs to get that ONE YEAR in....then, you can really pick where you want to work....so choose your first company carefully...you want to stick with them for a year...the opportunities after a year are endless...... Stick around, and we'll help you anyway we can. And feel free to post on this forum, or the general forum....

Thanks e1 for the feed back i see i really need to learn a lot. next question(rookie/student) What would be a best route to go? thinking in about 5 years i would like to own my own truck cab. what do you think ? what are the pros and cons?

Thanks e1 for the feed back i see i really need to learn a lot. next question(rookie/student) What would be a best route to go? thinking in about 5 years i would like to own my own truck cab. what do you think ? what are the pros and cons?

Also what do u guys think in terms of a good company for me tp try for i see so many on the internet. im just not sure what : im looking at: what i should be looking for: really need help with this i know i want to do this im just new at this and i dont want to go in the blind and get messed around. would like to know exactly what im doing or at least think i do LOL thanks again for your help

Everyone one here would tell you dont own a truck. Period. Too much hassle but then ill let Star go into details. As far as your company that would depend on what your looking for and what you need in tge way of hometime and such

I agree with RedGator. When my Dad had progressed as far as he could with his company (becoming a trainer ect). He opted for becoming an instructor. Hard for O/O's to make ends meet from what I've heard, though I am no expert by ANY means lol. :)