Finally Made A Choice

USA truck has better training pay then PAM and a few other things I like... just no sign on bonus. Now all I have to do is plan funds to keep the bills paid while I'm in school for the 3 weeks and I'm off to start a new career.

Very cool! Did you get pre-hires from those companies already?

For anyone not familiar with pre-hires we have an excellent article to help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.

Congratulations sir on making a choice of who to work for! I know it seems like most new people entering this field really struggle with that first decision. But I hope you don't mind if I share my thoughts on this sometimes laborious process that people go through on deciding where they should work for their first truck job.

First off, everyone should ignore all the ridiculous slander about the evil trucking companies on the internet at job review sites and trucking forums. Trucking is a unique career, that requires unique people. It is a demanding career which requires a great deal of commitment and fortitude. It takes a flexible person who can make quick decisions on the fly and doesn't get their panties in a wad every time things don't go as planned. So much of the trash talk you see on-line is from the people who just couldn't handle the career. They ended up feeling used or abused because they just weren't cut out for the kind of work they were trying to do. My hat is off to all the successful professional drivers out there on this nations highways. They play such a vital roll in keeping our economy churning along and growing. They put up with a lot of things that most people will never face in their careers, and they do it with grace and class. I salute them!

Secondly, make a commitment to see it through, where ever you start, for one complete year of safe driving. There is a huge learning curve involved during your first year, more so than most other careers. There is just so much to grasp,that your trainer can not even begin to teach you about all the things you will have to encounter. Don't overly concern yourself with how much money you are making during that first year, or even during your training period. That entire first year should be looked at as your baptism into a rewarding career with a bright future. The baptism is the most difficult time, but it has it's own rewards that cannot be measured monetarily. I always tell people that it really doesn't matter whose name is on the doors of your truck, and I can say that with some authority since I started with, and spent almost eighteen months at, a company that I have never seen a positive review of online anywhere. But, they have tons of critics, most of them vehemently disparaging their practices and treatment of drivers. I never once had any kind of experience like the ones that I frightfully read. In reality I was treated like a king, and got more miles than I knew what to do with. They loved me, and to be honest, I was quite content over there. The only reason I left was that someone else decided I was worth much more.

The key to success is to be productive and efficient at your job. That includes everything about your job, but most importantly how you manage your time for not only success with on-time deliveries, but also for the safe and efficient execution of your duties and responsibilities as a professional driver. You are responsible for not only your own safety, but the safety of your cargo, and the safety of the other folks on the highway with you. If you can operate safely (not hitting anything), and successfully (profitably for your employer) for that first year you will find yourself in big demand with wide open doors to a bright future.

Now let me give a plug for the High Road Training Program. I think there is some very vital information in that training program that will benefit anyone entering this field. Those two sections that Brett put together that are not needed for the tests, are definitely needed for a successful first year. Those sections are the weights and balances section and the log books. I can't tell you how many times I was able to help other drivers out here understand how to balance their loads in their trailers because of the valuable information that is in that section on weights and balances. Not only was I helping others with much more experience than I had, but it saved my bacon more than a few times also. It takes a considerable commitment to work your way completely through that High Road Training Program, but it is worth thousands of dollars in my opinion towards your understanding and success of how to manage your trucking business.

I said "your" trucking business because I really consider this career as being so akin to self employment that it may be one of the reasons so many people fail at it. You have got to be a self motivated person with the ability to make your own decisions and then accept the consequences of those decisions. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten e-mails or calls from my dispatcher complimenting me on how I managed to do something that none of their other drivers seem to be able to get done. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, just pointing out that if you can understand the mentality that is required for success in this career it makes a world of difference. It takes more than just the will to get things done, it also takes the understanding of how to manage things so that you will end up with the right results. That is where the training offered here, absolutely for free, goes hand in hand with your desire for success to make you into an invincible and productive professional driver.

Good luck Sir, I hope this helps you and many others!

Exactly on point Old School. I only stayed with my first company 7 months before switching, but it was what I felt I needed and could handle. Not the companies fault. I made the move and have done very well for myself. The advice you laid out is how I live my life and in just under 3 months proven myself once again and enjoying the rewards of that in my relationships with the company and customers. In my opinion the most important thing I see go wrong is drivers want to jump on the "the company is screwing me" band wagon when things dont go perfect. First off you have to understand the volume in this business is horrific. Things are gonna go wrong, but its the nature of the business, not anyone with a conspiracy plan. Roll with it the best you can. I have found it all evens out by itself soon enough. Here is a quick example what I mean: I got a load to the northeast from the south. It paid well. Then I got a crappy load. I did the load where most would not have. I was then given a great load that paid through the roof. I was told I had to dead head 350 miles back out for my next. Keep in mind I do not get paid empty miles in my situation. I wasn't too thrilled, but I kept the faith when my dispatcher told me it would balance out. I did it and now have pulled an ok load, and just got a preplan taking me through the weekend. All in all I will make 2 consecutive weeks with awesome paychecks. Dispatchers and planners have a tough job that I would not do for anything. The more dependable and reliable you are and willing to work with them instead of against them makes everyone's life a little easier. I don't care who you are, no one likes problems. Just my opinion.

Very cool! Did you get pre-hires from those companies already?

For anyone not familiar with pre-hires we have an excellent article to help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.

No but USA is paying for it.. well up front then they take it out of my check for the one year employment contract. I would hope there not going to do all that and say... nah just kidding

Exactly on point Old School. I only stayed with my first company 7 months before switching, but it was what I felt I needed and could handle. Not the companies fault. I made the move and have done very well for myself. The advice you laid out is how I live my life and in just under 3 months proven myself once again and enjoying the rewards of that in my relationships with the company and customers. In my opinion the most important thing I see go wrong is drivers want to jump on the "the company is screwing me" band wagon when things dont go perfect. First off you have to understand the volume in this business is horrific. Things are gonna go wrong, but its the nature of the business, not anyone with a conspiracy plan. Roll with it the best you can. I have found it all evens out by itself soon enough. Here is a quick example what I mean: I got a load to the northeast from the south. It paid well. Then I got a crappy load. I did the load where most would not have. I was then given a great load that paid through the roof. I was told I had to dead head 350 miles back out for my next. Keep in mind I do not get paid empty miles in my situation. I wasn't too thrilled, but I kept the faith when my dispatcher told me it would balance out. I did it and now have pulled an ok load, and just got a preplan taking me through the weekend. All in all I will make 2 consecutive weeks with awesome paychecks. Dispatchers and planners have a tough job that I would not do for anything. The more dependable and reliable you are and willing to work with them instead of against them makes everyone's life a little easier. I don't care who you are, no one likes problems. Just my opinion.

What do you mean by crappy loads? Are you getting payed CPM?

Thanks Old School. I think I will be fine. I drive a bus now with over 100k safe miles thus far and a 15 year washed up charter boat captain so safety is always foremost on my mind. Expectations are low and being alone is not a problem at all. In fact I disagree. There are people everywhere. Alone is being offshore bobbing around with nothing but a chart and a compass to guide you and I hands down LOVE that. The money I'm sure it will come... and go like with all commission type jobs. Time management and decision making are things I already spent one career doing and in 47 years if there is one thing I learned is if something CAN go wrong it will go wrong... O 2 things.. you catch more Flys with honey then vinegar. I just got to keep your eyes on the horizon and the wind to your back and all will be well.

Again thanks all of you.... and remember my favorite quote that holds true for all people in all walks of life "First you have to row a little boat"