Another Newbie Wanna Be :)

Hello all!!

I am in the very early stages of exploring trucking as a career. Several times I have wanted to take the leap, but confidence has prevented me. In fact I was so ready that about 15 years ago read Brett's book, but life pulled me in another direction. A career that turned out to be a means to an end. After 14 years I decided to move to the deep south, the New Orleans area. They found the perfect job and I tagged alone. True love so I thought, however as soon as he got here he relapsed and eventually drank himself to death. After 14 years of struggling in public education I wanted to try my hand at careers that interested me, but they turned out to be mere jobs… I like plants, cooking, neither of which pay well. Plus it gets pretty hot down here, so plants will remain a hobby for the future. Also being a chef is more of an office job these days. Hell I am not going to lie, it's been difficult to just get by these past three years

What draws me to the profession?

Above all is the ability to move about the country. I hope to drive mostly on the east coast to see my father more often who is ageing. I want to be present at this stage in his life as he recently lost his wife, my step mother to cancer. The lifestyle… I’m not tethered, meaning no kids or partner and not really looking. I am drawn to the idea of seeing the country. I have a clean driving record, drugs were never an issue and I gave up drinking over five years ago.

So now for the questions that have been in my head recently.

Are there companies that primarily have routes along the east coast and Gulf coast, Are there companies based in Maine or the New Orleans area that offer paid training or something similar.. A training to hire type situation?

Are there scams out there to be aware of?

What is the best way to start small in the industry? I'm not looking to burn out after a few years. Been there, done that and at 45 I'm looking for a lasting career. Who knows maybe I'll retire someday?

Are hearing aids allowed… my hearing isn't the best.

What does the medical check involve?

Thank you in advance,

Ed

With most companies, as long as you have safe and secure place to park your truck, they can send you there for home time. Maine would be harder to get to them New Orleans.

There are plenty of companies who offer sponsored training.

Do you want to try dry van , refer, flatbed or tanker?

Just start looking and studying the High Road CDL Training Program.

Also look at our diaries section to see some current training stories. As far as hearing aids that won't be a problem.

You probably need to rethink how you want to start this. First, you don't have to work for a company based in your area. I live in Texas. My trucking employer is based in Phoenix, AZ. I seldom ever go to Phoenix. I may have been there four or five times in ten years.

There are plenty of companies hiring from the New Orleans area. You just need to do your research and get on with one that will train you and help you get that CDL.

Follow this link and you can find companies hiring from your area. I think there's a place there to put your zip code in and it will show you companies hiring from your area.

Truck Driving Jobs

You said this, and I'm not exactly sure what you mean...

What is the best way to start small in the industry?

The folks who hire you will be looking for a productive member being added to their team. They aren't too interested in small starts. This is an asset based business. When they assign their valuable assets to you, they expect results. They need each asset to be producing good revenues. You can expect to be working long hours from the very beginning.

Is your Dad in Maine? If so, that's going to be tough. There's not a whole lot of freight running in and out of there. It's not likely you're going to find a job running up there frequently.

Lastly, you make this confession...

I'm not looking to burn out after a few years.

All I can say is nobody enters trucking looking to burn out after a few years, but many do just that. This is not an easy career to get started. It's an even tougher one to maintain. A lot of truckers burn out quickly. I see it all the time. Even here in our forum it's obvious.

I wish you the best, but don't romanticize this career as a great vacation that will allow you to go see the country and your Dad. That's just not how it works.

Can't agree enough with what OS said. Definitely research the cdl diaries section, and this community in general. This can be a very rewarding career path, many of us found later in life, but it is still a job, nit a vacation. That said, it can allow you opportunities that other fields don't.