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Looking to start my trucking career

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by rgomez191, Jul 13, 2014.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Jul 13, 2014 #1
    rgomez191

    rgomez191 Light Load Member

    61
    17
    May 24, 2014
    San Antonio, Texas
    0
    Hello everyone! As the title says I am in the process of entering the trucking industry. I plan on starting the 1st of September and have sent off some apps to a few companies.

    I'm 23 years old, who works as a line cook and is tired of the kitchen life. I work 2 full time jobs just to get by and don't see myself advancing. I ran the numbers and I would have to net $450 a week to get by but am ready to work.

    Sadly my drivers record is not clean since I got in a accident 2 years ago and got a ticket for running a stop sign just over 1 year ago. I don't plan on letting that stop me and will still try my best to make it. I sent out 3 applications to CRST, PAM, and Central Refrigerated Service. CRST got back with me and would take me on but after reading up on here I will save them for later. I sent my other apps today so I will have to wait till Monday to hear back.

    I would like to team since it might be the only way to make ends meet starting out. Would appreciate any additional information on starting companies that might train me that offer team with constant loads. In case I didn't list it I'm located in Texas.
     
    rgomez191, Jul 13, 2014
    rgomez191, Jul 13, 2014
    #1
    Highway Hypnosis Thanks this.
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  3. Jul 13, 2014 #2
    Highway Hypnosis

    Highway Hypnosis Light Load Member

    144
    135
    Apr 12, 2014
    Minot, ND
    0
    I like your story... because I've experienced many of the things you have... back when the economy took a #### in 2002, I worked in the semiconductor industry, until the company sold out and laid everybody off. The next day I was working at Denny's making toast. Worked there for two years.. worked my way through a local community college and eventually worked my way up to better jobs. Now I am trying my hand at truck driving. The job fits me well in many ways.

    Working #### jobs is a good motivator to improve your situation. If you don't have a specialized skill you will never make it.
     
    Highway Hypnosis, Jul 13, 2014
    Highway Hypnosis, Jul 13, 2014
    #2
    rgomez191 Thanks this.
  4. Jul 13, 2014 #3
    VagabondTrucker

    VagabondTrucker Light Load Member

    81
    30
    Jun 28, 2014
    0
    If that is all you have on your driving record, then you will be just fine. Excessive speed, suspensions, reckless/careless are the killers. Look long and hard at team driving before you commit to it. Yes, the money looks good but think about how you will be the same person in a tiny little compartment for what could be weeks on end. One of you has to get sleep during the day while the other is driving and that little curtain is not sound proof. One of my school instructors and his best friend since childhood decided to go into team driving and they lasted two weeks before they were literally ready to kill each other. Also, decide what type of work do you want to do? Van, fb, reefer, tanker, etc. 450 a week is pretty low in my opinion, but that all depends on what you look at doing. I started out with a fb company and averaged over 800 a week take home, being home 3 weekends a month, insurance coming out as well. We were down in texas all the time too. Just food for thought
     
    VagabondTrucker, Jul 13, 2014
    VagabondTrucker, Jul 13, 2014
    #3
    rgomez191 Thanks this.
  5. Jul 13, 2014 #4
    rgomez191

    rgomez191 Light Load Member

    61
    17
    May 24, 2014
    San Antonio, Texas
    0
    The number I gave is simply my break even number which will pay all the bills but leave me no money for food or emergencies. I really wish to work in the oil field driving tanker trucks but want to do or first. Right now anything is good since it will start my experience bar for this industry. Just want to do my job without getting yelled at for every little thing which is the norm in the kitchens I've worked at. When I gain a year in the industry I will look into specializing to a specific type of work.
     
    rgomez191, Jul 13, 2014
    rgomez191, Jul 13, 2014
    #4
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  7. Jul 13, 2014 #5
    VagabondTrucker

    VagabondTrucker Light Load Member

    81
    30
    Jun 28, 2014
    0
    My best suggestion is look at van or fb. They are the best for starting out new drivers.
     
    VagabondTrucker, Jul 13, 2014
    VagabondTrucker, Jul 13, 2014
    #5
  8. Jul 13, 2014 #6
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    73,248
    164,498
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Here's some more to apply with :

    FFE
    Mesilla Valley Transportation - school in Texas
    Southern Refrigerated Transport - free bus ticket, free hotel room, free 3 meals a day.
    Millis Transfer in Burleson, TX - drivers avg. $50K per year.
    JBS Carriers - pays for Roadmaster CDL school.
    Roehl Transport
    Raider Express in Ft. Worth
     
    Chinatown, Jul 13, 2014
    Chinatown, Jul 13, 2014
    #6
    Iceman1984, rgomez191, oceanbreeze73 and 1 other person Thank this.
  9. Jul 13, 2014 #7
    Hsauer87

    Hsauer87 Light Load Member

    280
    102
    Jun 15, 2012
    Parkton , North Carolina
    0
    look into TMC . I work there make great money and i am home every weekend , just have to work hard!
     
    Hsauer87, Jul 13, 2014
    Hsauer87, Jul 13, 2014
    #7
  10. Jul 13, 2014 #8
    Iceman1984

    Iceman1984 Light Load Member

    136
    24
    Oct 26, 2013
    Wilmington, NC
    0
    Chinatown, do you recommend Roehl Transport a decent company to start off with?
     
    Iceman1984, Jul 13, 2014
    Iceman1984, Jul 13, 2014
    #8
  11. Jul 13, 2014 #9
    GenericUserName

    GenericUserName Road Train Member

    1,543
    13,065
    May 17, 2014
    Santa Monica, CA
    0
    I am not Chinatown but..
    The drivers i talked with are happy. Definitely a notch above the swifts and werners.
     
    GenericUserName, Jul 13, 2014
    GenericUserName, Jul 13, 2014
    #9
    Iceman1984 Thanks this.
  12. Jul 13, 2014 #10
    rgomez191

    rgomez191 Light Load Member

    61
    17
    May 24, 2014
    San Antonio, Texas
    0
    Sent out a few more apps today and will see what happens. If I don't get a call in 48 hours is that a sign I won't get in or should I contact a recruiter?
     
    rgomez191, Jul 13, 2014
    rgomez191, Jul 13, 2014
    #10
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