Just Want To See The Country?

A few questions. I've had my class A for about a year now. I'm considering looking into TMC or a similar big company. Since I've had my CDL I've only driven an automatic off and on as part of my job in the oil field. Would I still be considered a new driver? Would you recommend a refresher course before attempting to find a driving job? Also, my interest in driving is based mostly on my nomadic spirit. I only need to make enough money to get by and I'm used to being away from home for weeks at a time. The main reason I want to drive is to get paid to see the country. Do you feel that this is the wrong motivation for driving? Thanks for any input.

Most companies would consider you a new driver so a refresher course would be needed. Especially with TMC, someone got sent home from my orientation class because his shifting wasn't smooth enough on the 13 speeds. I think maverick has automatics though, might be worth looking into.

Kevin, I agree with Steve on the refresher course. These trucking companies only consider over the road as experience. Some of them will accept a regional job as long as it covers about six or seven states.

As far as seeing the country goes, you will definitely get to see the country, but it's no tourist trip. You will have deadlines to meet, and it's impossible to just stop and see what you want when you want because most places don't have adequate parking areas for a big rig. You can be creative though and you are in charge of managing your own time. I've managed to spend some time on the beaches in Florida and Mississippi, and enjoyed a few days off in New Orleans. In my first four months on the road I went into 46 of the lower 48 states.

Your first priority though should be to do a really good job and stay accident free during that first year on the road. This will set you up for a bright future in this business. Whomever you go to work for will not be expecting you to just make enough money to get by - this is a business and they have target goals for how much revenue is brought in by each truck. You will be expected to pull your weight. So don't have any grand illusions of being a nomad out there burning someone else's fuel just to see the country. They will have your routes planned out for you and expect you to abide by them for cost effectiveness.

Hey Kevin, I'm not trying to discourage you, only shooting straight with you. It's a great lifestyle that I love. I pulled into a rest stop late last night in Pennsylvania to shut down for the night, and I woke up with a beautiful sunrise shedding it's dawning light over a beautiful valley down below me. I hadn't even realized I was over looking this valley last night. It made for a welcome sight and a very pleasant morning.

Some of them will accept a regional job as long as it covers about six or seven states.

Really? I was thinking that would be based on miles traveled, given the same equipment in general.

Or most seem to go by time driving for that matter.

Thanks for the input so far. I figured I would need a refresher. Shouldn't be an issue, I feel I retained 90% of what I learned. When I said I only needed to make enough to get by, I wasn't implying that I was unmotivated. I understand that as a new driver I won't make 50,000 my first year and I'm okay with that. I know I'll be on a schedule but seeing the mountains, desert and oceans through the windshield would be good enough for me. Just got the urge to keep movin' on.