Trucking Gadgets, GPS , Telephone Headset, Music ???

Look into RV drive away programs like Horizon Transport, basically you go pickup a brand new RV in Elkhart IN drive it where it needs to go. You can pick how little or how much you want to work, and of you drop a rv off someplace cool you can hang out in that area as long as you want, since you are able to choose your loads. They only ask you do at least 1 trip a month which can even be a local one if you want.

Bobcat: Does that gig require a CDL? Also, I see these Greyhound bus size motor homes on the road, does the o/o of one of those need a CDL?

What should I expect if I got hired as a new driver ? student ?

You should expect a total change to your lifestyle. Trucking isn't like any other job on earth. It's a complete game changer. That's why all these people who have romanticized ideas about trucking fall flat on their faces when they give this career a try. It's not like taking on a part time job. It takes total Commitment. You should expect long hours and erratic sleep patterns. You should expect to work 70 hours a week. You should expect to be a truck driver. That's a tall order. You're not here to be a tourist. This is an asset based business. These companies invest major monies into this equipment. They expect their assets to be producing revenues. They do that by keeping the wheels turning. Idle assets are useless in this arena.

I remember seeing some type of training or program but cant remember the name ???

That's their "Squire" program. You've got to prove yourself as a "Squire" before you can become a "Knight" out on the interstates.

Are you both OTR ? What is your typical week like ?

PackRat just recently switched to Knight. I'm not sure what he's doing, but I think he is OTR. I'm on a dedicated account, but it's still over the road.

I just looked up my records for this month. I'm at 11,314 miles and I just got dispatched on a 1,358 mile run which I'll finish on Tuesday just before the month ends. That's 12,672 miles this month. That breaks down to 3,000 miles per week. That breaks down to what we keep stressing to you. This ain't no picnic out here. We are committed to being productive - that's what makes us valuable employees. We live for this stuff.

I certainly don't have time for extra activities like repairing airplanes. Heck, I don't even mow my own grass. I've got people who take care of things for me at my house. I was home for four consecutive days this month, and that's very typical for me. I'm here to move freight, and lots of it. I love doing this.

Old School said: "You should expect to work 70 hours a week. You should expect to be a truck driver. That's a tall order. You're not here to be a tourist."

And sometimes it's a little more than 70 hours per week. Most drivers have work-related tasks that they do on their 10 hr or 34 hr DOT breaks. Like clean the truck, grease the fifth wheel, catch up on paperwork, pre-trip planning, etc. I guess sleep and rest can't be included, but that's a very important part of maximizing your driving time and keeping a good safety record.

If you're serious about this commit to 1 year of driving OTR then you will have many more options. There are places like Penske and Ryder that have drivers on call to transport tractor trailers to other rental shops where they're needed, but I believe they require 1 year experience. Even if they didnt, it would be your best bet as many of these yards are extremely tight. The grocery chain I deliver for in Iowa only requires "some tractor trailer" experience but in reality they are likely to overlook someone with less than 6 to 9 months. We hire drivers on a part time basis, only requirement is be available to work 1 day a month however it doesnt guarantee you they will need help the day you agree to. What I've gotten off your posts is you want to drive to see the country but only on your terms. Go buy a RV and enjoy retirement. I dont mean this in a negative way, I'd just hate for you to spend the money on getting your CDL and not use it.

Hi Rob T I am moving back to Indiana to a house I bought 2 years ago after working here in South Korea for 14 years. My wife is Filipina and has been a US Citizen for a few years but only visited the states 3 weeks every summer when we go visit family and winters we go to our place in the Philippines to visit her family. We have both traveled a lot and seen a lot of countries and have made a plan to buy the house in Indiana and I would retire and tinker with airplanes and she wants to work also. So all is good but I have always been interested in driving and not so much for the travel and seeing things as it is more about the drive and pick up a few $$$ for my time.

We want to enjoy our home time with our 2 awesome dogs we rescued here in Korea and I might not be able to find anything that works for me. But when I get home I will be 66 and I have no desire to go OTR for a year or a month. BUT If I could be gone 4-5 days a week or less then I might enjoy that but I don't want to be gone from family and friends anymore. So that is why I might not find anything that will work for me.

After researching trucking and having an interest for the last few years I thought by living in the crossroads of America , north of Indianapolis and south of Chicago that maybe I could find something just out and back like maybe regional out and back like a 250-300 mile radius and maybe even stay out a night or 2 if needed and have my weekends I would like something like that and it would seem to me that something like this is not asking too much but most say it is hard to get something like this as a rookie and I respect everyone's info and appreciate their shared experience.

You all are drivers so that is why I get on this site !

Thanks for the reply :)

G,town I don't mean to upset you but you seem negative about my post , I am just looking for info and explain what I would like in a trucking job. You say first of all you have never driven an Old Mack with a 6 speed , and that sums up my interaction with this forum ( Really ??? I am not sure what you mean , are my interactions annoying , am I upsetting anyone ? Sorry if that is the case.

I got a message from Indeed.com about training and driving with Sodrel trucking so I called and talked with the school and the manager at the terminal. They said I would work like 6 days a week and it is 1 hour away from me so that adds 2 hours to my day. If it was 4-5 days a week I would probably do it.

They both mentioned that their trucks were older Macks and 6 speeds but they were well maintained. I just added that to my comment because they told me that, don't know why that gave you the whole impression of what or who I am ?

Sort of confused ???

I am totally committed to a truck driver job , I have my own life style and just looking to drive a truck.

If you don't think I belong on here please let me know.

Have a great day :)

Sodrel trucking offered me a job after I attend their school delivering mail and home every night but working like 12-14 hours 6 days a week. And driving old Mack trucks with a 6 speed trans , not interested in driving that much lol

Dennis I’ve read your replies and until now pretty much remained on the sidelines. The above statement sums-up your interaction with this forum...

First of all you’ve never driven an Old Mack with a 6-speed.

Second, you have repeatedly shared with us your burning desire to drive, yet basically poo-poo the options available to you and most of the expert advice we’ve given you.

The type of job/company you seek, is going to be very difficult to find, especially for an entry level driver.

I maintain the same basic theme initially offered; the “have my cake and eat it too” expectation is unrealistic.

Take some time to read this:

Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving

...then hopefully you’ll realize that trucking might be better left to those who are totally committed to the process and also the life style.

Good luck.

No Dennis not upset...

Not about me Dennis...

I hold fast to my reply... and maintain we are all just trying to point you in the best direction. And you seem to be having a difficult time accepting it. You’ve received guidance, information and advice from the very best we have to offer. Up to you now to apply and leverage it to your advantage.

We all know what it takes to successfully complete the first year. This applies to 21 year olds working in a Pizza Shop or 66 year olds seeking a second career.

...stick with us, we will NOT steer you wrong.

I am just looking for info and explain what I would like in a trucking job.

I think the issue here is they are explaining to you why what you would like in a trucking job isn't realistic, that what you would like is based on misconceptions, that it specifically is not a profession where "what I would like" has much relevance.

I am just looking for info and explain what I would like in a trucking job.

I think the issue here is they are explaining to you why what you would like in a trucking job isn't realistic, that what you would like is based on misconceptions, that it specifically is not a profession where "what I would like" has much relevance.

Maybe so , I will probably stay on here and just observe . But maybe , just maybe something will pop up that works. Thanks for everyone’s help and input . Have a great day and be safe !

Dennis, there's two things you're bound to have noticed about us.

1) We will always shoot straight with you.

2) We teach best practices.

You can always think what you want, and you can even use hope as your strategy, but it's very unlikely that either one of those approaches will get you anywhere in trucking. We don't sugarcoat this industry. We keep it real. We do our best to help people make a good start at this. The internet is rife with misinformation about trucking. It's our mission to be a sounding board for the truth. Not everybody appreciates that. We understand that and we can live with the consequences. We have a strong track record of helping new entry level drivers succeed at this. It's something we are proud of.

Our core group of members here have found success in trucking. That, in itself, is pretty incredible. When you compare the conversations in here with the conversations in other trucking forums you'll find that we enjoy our careers and we aren't always complaining about how bad our employers are. Nor will you find us constantly complaining about the industry itself. That should speak volumes about the quality of information you get here.