New To Trucking.

Well, I guess we can't say that I'm entirely new to the life of a trucker. While I never went into the cab of one, my grandfather was a trucker his entire life, as is my step grandfather. I'm twenty years old, and a little after a year of college I decided I was exhausted with school. I'm exploring career alternatives. I've already loved driving. I have been to thirty nine states, so driving for long hours at a time is not a problem for me. Neither is the being away from 'home'. Whenever we were on one of our trips, I was always the one out of my family begging to stay gone longer. I am wholeheartedly aware that trucking doesn't involve getting out and doing much else when you're on a drive. What I am looking for in this forum is people who have had both great and awful experiences with their companies, advice on where to begin working on obtaining my CDL , and if the lifestyle is even right for me. Thanks for time and consideration, I know you're all busy people!

Also -- I am a completely healthy female. I'm under the impression that the world of trucking is a male-dominated profession. Hints, tips, suggestions, advice, all is welcome, thank you!

You certainly said a lot in this first post, but I will just point out one thing I noticed. You are only twenty years old, and you can't drive between states until you are at least twenty one, but a lot of companies seem to prefer people at least 23-25. You might want to look into a CDL school where you will graduate right around the time you turn twenty one. As for companies, I'm at orientation for TMC right now and I love it here. If you are able to lift 120 pounds up onto your shoulder you should definitely consider TMC for when you start.

Also -- I am a completely healthy female. I'm under the impression that the world of trucking is a male-dominated profession. Hints, tips, suggestions, advice, all is welcome, thank you!

It seems like TMC doesn't really see gender, but just whether you can do the work or not. I imagine with flatbedding in general if you can properly secure and tarp the loads you will get respect from your peers and no one will care that you are a woman.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do - keep us all posted on how it goes!

AH! I forgot, my birthday is next month. Whoops.

I'll definitely be keeping you guys updated, and I'll check out TMC. When I say perfectly healthy, I mean that I'm strong. My last job was part time and I stocked, so lifting up to one hundred and fifty pounds wasn't that big of a problem for me. Thanks for the feedback though! Tell me how your orientation is going?

AH! I forgot, my birthday is next month. Whoops.

I'll definitely be keeping you guys updated, and I'll check out TMC. When I say perfectly healthy, I mean that I'm strong. My last job was part time and I stocked, so lifting up to one hundred and fifty pounds wasn't that big of a problem for me. Thanks for the feedback though! Tell me how your orientation is going?

I love it, I actually have a fairly detailed log over here.

If you have any questions you can ask in the thread or PM me.

That is actually extremely helpful. I'm started reading and will finish out reading it I'm sure. Thank you!

Prime Inc has an excellent program also, and only requires 1 year of service after gaining your cdl. They never take money out of your pay, for the training, but will for things like your TWIC card, or your license. I just graduated from my instructor and am on TNT training now.

Worst story? The time with my instructor. He did everything he could to get under my skin, including threatening to have me sent home. It was all to see how I would react, and they are told to do this. If you can't handle what your instructor will do to you, you will have a tough time with shippers, receivers, 4 wheelers, and worst of all, other truckers. Ive had more truckers cut in front of me on the road, and more still in the parking lots. The 4 wheelers are considerate in comparison.

I have a thread in here about prime, but I dont know where it is right now. It details my first week in class.

Re: male dominated, maybe, but not so much anymore. There we several ladies in my class, and I constantly see woman in Trucks on the road and at the truck stops, so, maybe its changing.

Best of luck to you, and keep a stiff upper lip.

Peace

Thanks lots Road Hog! Really loving the help and input here...I was looking at Prime, I was actually quite impressed with them. One of the things I'm curious for is how you get involved with their student courses to get a CDL and experience. Is it really as simple as applying online?

Ah, here is the link to my experiences in class.

My CDL training at Prime Inc

Yup, I applied on line, and a recruiter called me back within a day or so. Then, they quit returning my calls. They want to see how persistent you are, and how serious you are, and from what I hear, a lot of companies do that. So, once you get a recruiter, and a phone number, stay after them.

In my opinion, its a great program. Feel free to pm with any questions, though once I get back on the road, response time may be slow.

Best of luck Emily

Thank you for finding that for me. Prime's program looks great and actually intrigued me from the start. Guessing my next issue is, 'Should I go ahead and get in touch with a recruiter, or should I wait until the day after I'm 21"...Oh, decisions, decisions!

Thank you for finding that for me. Prime's program looks great and actually intrigued me from the start. Guessing my next issue is, 'Should I go ahead and get in touch with a recruiter, or should I wait until the day after I'm 21"...Oh, decisions, decisions!

In my opinion, there is no time like the present. Just be upfront with your recruiter, let her know when you bday is, and when you want to start. They will work with you.