Victory Has Finally Come And Now The Next Adventure Begins!

Maestro, I understand the need to be home daily. My personal opinion is that if at all possible it's best to start this career as an OTR driver. I acknowledge we have some great drivers here who don't agree with me on that subject. I still see that first year as so formative to your future trucking career, that one year of the OTR experience is foundational to making a good start. I wish you well with your new position.

I am curious why the "family trucking business" held such an appeal. There are so many benefits to working for a large trucking company. I would be interested in hearing why you were attracted to that particular operation.

Hi Old School,

Thank you for your comments. OTR would not work for our current family situation due to my daughter's graduation next year.

I was attracted to a family trucking business because of its values, the way it treated its truckers as a person than a butt in the seat, and how the logistics manager took the time to speak to me about the ins and outs of this business.

Maestro, while I appreciate your enthusiasm, you really can’t fully evaluate any company as a new driver. They may seem like a great company, but until you start working for them, you never know even if you were initially impressed.

Some of the very experienced drivers can accurately evaluate companies based on their years of learning. I think it was Turtle who said that if he went for an interview, what’s really happening is that he is interviewing the company rather than the other way around.

When I got my current job, I knew of a few things that mattered to me up front. But now that I know I’m happy with my company I understand that I just got lucky. Could have been just the opposite.

I was attracted to a family trucking business because of its values, the way it treated its truckers as a person than a butt in the seat, and how the logistics manager took the time to speak to me about the ins and outs of this business.

This is what always confuses me. How in the world does someone new to this industry think they know how they will be treated? In trucking you'll get what you deserve. You'll build your own reputation, and you'll reap what you've sown. It's an industry that rewards achievers. Everything about your trucking career is based on your performance as a professional driver.

Don't ever get the idea that small companies are better than large just because they claim to "treat you like family." Families can, and often are, cruel when it comes to dealing with each other. All businesses have the potential for problems, but trucking problems are exacerbated by the typical issues that trouble any small business.

I am working for the country's largest Truck Load carrier. I have always been treated like a king. I'm serious. It amazes me when I hear people complain about the way they are treated. All this B.S. about being micromanaged and being treated as "meat in the seat," tells me a lot about those drivers and very little about their employer.

Wherever you find yourself employed, just keep focused on this idea of reciprocity. You will measure out your own success. You will create your own reputation. If you can create your own success, you will create the "company values" you seem to think are important. In trucking your employer will reciprocate with you. Great drivers get treated great. Not so great drivers are usually discontent and looking for a "better company."

Hi Maestro,

Congratulations for getting started! As far as your question about resumes I think it depends on the company . Some companies requiere one while others do not. I would say more often than not no. What jobs are you specifically looking for? How much are they paying first time drivers nowadays?

Thank you for your insights @OldSchool & @BK - This is why I am thankful that this site is Trucking Truth and each perspective can be taken based on each one's experience. Thank you again for your views. I appreciate you both.

Hi Maestro,

Congratulations for getting started! As far as your question about resumes I think it depends on the company . Some companies requiere one while others do not. I would say more often than not no. What jobs are you specifically looking for? How much are they paying first time drivers nowadays?

I am looking for jobs that will help me to grow as a new truck driver. Our family thought that me being home on weekends would work well however this does not look like a solid option for us at this time. I am looking more at dedicated routes where I can be home daily.

Online Transport (the company I am applying for right now) stated that I would be earning $1,050/week.

Late victory news:

I received an email yesterday from Online Transport stating that they are moving ahead with bringing me on board with them!

Late victory news:

I received an email yesterday from Online Transport stating that they are moving ahead with bringing me on board with them!

Maestro, that’s great news.

Since it’s ONLINE Transport, does that mean you get to work from home? Lol

Keep us posted about your experience with that job.

Hey Trucking Friends,

Here is your update:

I have talked with Online Transport (OT) onboarding specialists to help me with a rental car, hotel arrangements, and payment setup.

They want me to watch training videos and will give me a bonus to finish them.

I am almost done with the videos so this will be something that I will not need to do during orientation.

Hello Trucking Heroes!

Here are bullet point updates!

- I went to Indiana to complete the orientation a few days ago and everything went smoothly. The ride home to Kentucky was...interesting considering the construction on the roads in Indiana.

- I started my first day today with Online Transport. I will be working with a trainer for 4 weeks and she will teach me the ins and outs of the role.

- We started at the sleepy hours of 4:30 am (OOF) and we did end early (Thank You, Jesus).

- The trainer stated we will start next week at 7 so I am SO thankful for this!

- I was a passenger for today yet she will slowly ease me into the driving role possibly next week.

That's all for now!

4 weeks with a trainer is generous, you are lucky to get it. So be Mr. Gung Ho for the the entire time.

Also, I don’t think Jesus is involved in establishing start times. Too busy elsewhere.

I pass a small terminal for Online Transport when I pick up loads out of Tyson in Logansport. The terminal is right around the corner from the Tyson plant, so I am going to venture a guess that you will be running a fair amount of Tyson freight. It's a decent location to pick up loads. Watch that reefer. Many a driver has had a load lost to a claim from a customer because something happens with the reefer that goes unnoticed.