Profile For Migizi

In Oregon you call the DMV phone number and hear a recording that lets you know the offices are closed. But, gives you an option of selecting to talk to a person about getting a CDL. Getting a CDL in Oregon is considered an essential business decision. Once you let the person that eventually answers the call (I waited close to 40 minutes on hold) know you are working toward a CDL then they set up an appointment for you at the closest office to you. I had to make that call twice to get my CDL and it worked great both times, except for the wait time...

Thanks everyone for your responses and insights...

I loved Brett's book and the information that it shared made me even more excited and interested in getting started on my trucking career. I, like probably thousands of other truckers, would love to be able to truck during the week and be home for the weekends. I realize that most experienced truckers have paid the "OTR price" to get to that type of position. I say "OTR price" since running a year OTR appears to give you the job opportunities that allow you to be home on the weekends. Shortening the OTR training to less than a year would probably be in the best interest of my family situation. But, I'm attempting to keep my family happy with my new career and also to get my trucking career off to a great start. The shorter the time away for long periods of time, the better. Ultimately, I would love to remain employed by the company that trains me in a more regional, dedicated, or local capacity. I'm not picky, I just want to have a great trucking career...

I'm the type of person that always seeks to make everything a win-win situation for all involved. I will always do my best to fulfill my contractual obligations and work expectations as well as trying to keep the family happy.

Thanks again for all your responses!

Drive safe and stay healthy...

I'm new to the trucking industry and the forum and have a couple of questions with regard to the book written by Brett Aquila.

It looks like the book was written in early 2007 for the entry level truck driver. Has the trucking industry changed much since the book was written? Like are truckers overall still in heavy demand or has that changed much? I realize technology has changed a lot, but how about the trucking industry in general. For instance, is driver training any different? I just graduated from a trucking school and while I don't have any experience, are there many companies that will do a reasonable amount of training (like 160 hours over the road) for a minimal contract obligation. I am not a big fan of getting tied into a contract for a lengthy time. I would be willing to get that experience for 3 to 6 months under contract, but that's about the length I'd be willing to do for entry level training. I'm not saying I wouldn't stay with the company, I just don't like contracts if I can stay away from them...