Turning In My 24 Years On Patrol To Becoming An OTR Truck Driver. Any Advice For A Female Starting Out?
Topic 4554 | Page 3
Hello MSDonna and welcome! No haters here, although I do have a genetic predisposition to Rebellion. 
I love all of law enforcement that doesn't pull me over...
Seriously though, you came to the right place for help, support and comraderie. Oh and thank you for putting up with little trouble makers (like I was) for so many years.
Dang Ms Donna...hate to burst your bubble...but your Glock will have to be retired...Federal Law...no firearms in a commercial vehicle...and even if the feds EVER allow it..the companies won't ...So you will just have to rely on that old BPST training...I'm ex LEO...and trucking was easy for me to transition into...I like the fact that you don't get micro managed...they just want you to pickup on time, deliver on time, and run legal...other than that, they pretty much leave you alone. I won't give you the "how to walk across the parking lot and not look like a potential victim" speech...you got all that. But we'll be here to help you all we can. Women have earned a hard won place in trucking. And companies are begining to realize that women drivers ARE a definite asset. So don't think that you will be taken on as less than a driver. They will expect you to do the same job as a man....and its up to you to do it better !!! Ask Redgator...She drives for WEL...and they think she's pretty special !! A top driver amongst the 500, and one heck of a woman, besides.....You can find her here, or in the Ladies of Trucking Forum.... WELCOME TO TT......and one LEO to another....Thank You for Having Our Backs...
I am a former LEO as well, understand it is not like it use to be when I first became a LEO. I am switching careers into trucking as well. I have looked at a lot of companies for company sponsored training , as that suits my needs for now. Went to truck stops talking to drivers from different companies. I will be going to Knight on September 8th decided to drive on the refer side, LOL on your comment for refer trucks. Being a fellow sister stay in touch let me know how things work out and which way you decide to go.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
I am a former LEO as well, understand it is not like it use to be when I first became a LEO. I am switching careers into trucking as well. I have looked at a lot of companies for company sponsored training , as that suits my needs for now. Went to truck stops talking to drivers from different companies. I will be going to Knight on September 8th decided to drive on the refer side, LOL on your comment for refer trucks. Being a fellow sister stay in touch let me know how things work out and which way you decide to go.
You sure have that right. It ain't like it used to be. There used to be common sense back then. Not anymore.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
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Advice For New Truck Drivers Becoming A Truck Driver Changing Careers Older truck drivers Truck Driving Lifestyle Women In Trucking
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Hello miss Donna I'm glad that you considering getting into the trucking business it depends on which company you you want a pic because all of them have different rules like for example some pets are allowed in trucks that other companies may not allow pets on trucks same thing goes for firearms as well as passengers but I wish you luck in finding a trucking company that allows you to have a firearm in the truck those are usually really hard to come by hopefully maybe with your experience in law enforcement they'll probably make an exception
most truck drivers are usually sociable because they're usually alone in the trucks most of the time I plan to put my CB radio that I got a long time ago in my truck when I get one so I don't feel so lonely when I go otr
The backing up part takes practice but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it because all it takes is just some time to get to get used to backing up with a tractor trailer it took me 6 months to get my cdl so don't feel discouraged
I wish you luck in your future endeavors
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.