JUST A HEAD'S UP

Mile Marker # 3

You will get a taste, but you won't truly experience trucking until you are assigned to your own tractor. Starting with a driver/trainer can be stressful, but at the same time it can be exciting. As a new driver you are trying to absorb new things and you will be introduced to new sleeping patterns. Essentially, you two will be a team. When one is sleeping, the other person will be driving. Typically, you are on the road 1-3 weeks. Remember, the more you are out there the quicker you can get on your own. Both of the driving and sleeping arrangements will work themselves out.
Eventually, you will reach the point where you are done with training. Ask before you get started if you have choices on the type of driving you will be doing ( OTR, Regional, or Local). All have advantages and disadvantages. If you can choose, pick the one that fits your needs. The different options might mean driving different tractors. If you choose to be local, you will probably be in a day cab (no sleeper). Typically, a local driver works 10-14 hour days. On the plus side, you will get to sleep at home in your own bed. Regional and OTR drivers will most likely be issued sleeper trucks. Regional drivers pretty much stay within a few states radius of their terminal. Most of the times you would sleep on the road. Depending on timing and destination issues, you might be able to get by the house once or twice a week. When people hear the words truck driver, they usually relate it to the over-the-road drivers. I am not going to pretend that OTR is all peaches and cream. OTR is not for everybody. I will tell you this, there is a very high percentage that OTR is where you will be starting your career. You may not have a choice with your company since you are fresh out of school. Plan on being away from home 1-3 weeks at a time. The away time can strain many areas of your life. I do recommend working through this for a year or two. If you realize OTR is not working out for you, you can make a change. Now, you will have 1-2 years of experience to take to your next interview. A lot of doors will open with that experience. On the other hand, maybe you will love it and be an OTR driver for years to come. I was a n OTR driver for 9 years. Being a city driver for the last 13 years, I am ready to get back on the road to finish out my career. I will inform you on why and the transition in a future blog. However you get started, you will find out that truck driving is a job like no other. You'll experience the freedom, the open road, and cherish the numerous memorable moments.

Next Bolg: Mile Marker #4 Home Sweet Home

FIRST GEAR - GETTING STARTED

Mile Marker # 2

I want to start out by saying that I am not a job recruiter, or affiliated with any particular company. I am just a professional driver helping those interested and guiding them in the right direction to a driving career. My opinions are my opinions and may differ with others. I've been asked on numerous occasions on how to obtain a trucking career. With the many questions and phone calls involved in the past, I figured a detailed blog would be a great tool.
Getting started is quite simple today. The first step is locating a truck driving school that is close to your area. A great web site to search for schools is http://www.toptruckingschools.com/. When you choose one, visit the school's web site for details for that particular school. Normally, school applications are available online. The financing is easy to obtain and afford. In most cases after the schooling is completed, the cost will be reimbursed. I will get to that later. The cost will cover tuition, lodging, ( if needed ) and licensing fees. Upon completion, you should have earned a Class A - CDL license ( Commercial Driver's License ) and have learned entry level skills. I will mention it again - entry level skills.... I have been at this a long time, and I still learn something new everyday.
Most schools will have on-site job recruiters representing various reputable trucking companies. They would love to hire you. There are approximately 2.8 million professional drivers on the road today, and the industry needs thousands more. To your advantage, the job placement percentage is very high. Do not rush into a quick decision. Remember that it is a driver's market, and there are a lot of empty trucks sitting in their yards. It might be overwhelming at first, but take your time and see what each different company has to offer. Choosing a school is not as important than choosing your first employer. Make a choice based on your needs. Most of the recruiting companies have a reimbursement program. Usually, you are obligated to be an employee of that company for a certain amount of time ( Approximately 1 to 2 years ). If you choose to interrupt your contract for any reason, be prepared to pony up the school costs. Choose your first company wisely. Look at their trucks, what kind freight they haul, what states they cover, rider and pet programs, what type of trailer you will be pulling (flat, dry, refrigerated etc.) and so on.
Being that you are right out of school with entry level driving skills, the company you elected will most likely assign you to a driver/trainer for a short period of time. He or she will assist you until you are comfortable with the equipment and learn what your employer expects from you as a driver. Some people take longer than others, but the driver/trainer will know when your ready to drive on your own.
Before you start driving, your company will help with any additional requirements you may need to do your job. These requirements might include extra endorsements ( Hazmat, Doubles/Triples, etc. ), a medical card ( a physical is required every 2 years), and most likely a drug and alcohol screening. Expect random drug and alcohol testing in the future.
Your first year will be the toughest, but the most rewarding. In the meantime, you will gain valuable experience and accumulated verified logged miles.

Next blog: Mile Marker # 3 Just A Heads up

HOW'D YOU DO THAT?

Mile Marker #1

Unbelievable....It's been 22 years and over 2 million miles since I was considered a rookie truck driver. Times in the trucking industry have changed dramatically. Like everything else, you adapt and move on. Some of the changes I disagree with, however most of the changes are for the good of the field. When I started, truck driving schools were not as popular as they are today. My first experience started at age 21. I had two friends that were truck drivers and they invited me to come along with them on a couple of their trips. Being an immature youngman, I did not have any intentions of becoming a professional truck driver. Curiousity got the better of me and I agreed to go along. After a few "behind the wheel" lessons and experiencing the open road, it was in my blood. I never thought that I was capable of driving the biggest, most overwhelming rig allowed on the road. It was indescribable!
After my lessons on the fly, it was time to venture out on my own and start my trucking career. I called a reputable big name company in my state and set up an interview and road test. As for my past experience in driving, I told them that I used to run team with an owner-operator and that I had about 150,000 miles under my belt buckle. That figure was fabricated by about 140,000 miles. I miscalculated.... Surprisingly, everything checked out. Then it was time for a road test. I gave it everything I had and kept my inexperience hidden. A couple of days later, I was assigned a tractor and I was on my way to Philadelphia.
My story for getting started probably wasn't unusual for back then. There just wasn't that many options to get started like there are today (driving schools or companies that offer on the job training). In my case, a little creative experience got me a job.
I gave my services to that company for a year in a half. During that time I obtained the experience I needed to pursue a higher mileage paying job. Those type of jobs were out there, but I needed the miles to work for them. I was young and ran hard in my assigned International cab-over with no power steering. I didn't think of my truck as a piece of crap when I got hired. What did I expect with my creative resume. I was just happy that I finally had my own truck. At that time I thought it was beautiful. What a piece of crap!
Time flew by...I had accumulated 9 years of over-the-road experience. With a lot of luck, those were 9 years without any accidents. Being accident free gave me a huge advantage.
My wife transferred to a different hospital in a different state. So, I quit and we packed up and headed North. We settled in and then it was time to job hunt. I figured with my experience, I would get a job fairly quick. A casual aquaintance told me that one of the big union carriers was looking for a city driver. When he told me, I was skeptical. Back then, landing a union job was by word of mouth; vacancies were filled quickly. He was right, they hired me. Getting this union job pretty much changed my life. To show my appreciation I sent him a thank you card and 40.00 to take his wife out to eat. It's been 13 years that I've been employed with that carrier.
Unbelievable, it's been 22 years and over 2 million miles since I was considered a rookie truck driver....

Next blog : Mile Marker # 2: First Gear - Getting Started