I’m A Newbie, Looking For A Career Change.

Hello everybody, my name is Dakota and I’m a metal fabricator by trade. But I’m tired of black boogers and all that. Anyways, I’m looking towards prime as they are headquarters close to home. Would it be possible to be an owner operator right out of the gate or is that just setting yourself up to fail? Thanks

Someone will come along and put all the links that you should study for getting your CDL and different companies that you should apply to. Just because you want to go to Prime because it's close to you, it's not necessary to go to a company that is close and they may not accept you.

As for being an owner operator , put that out of your mind for several years and don't even think about it. You need to get experience by going over the road and your first year will be the toughest. After your first year if you still are thinking about being an 00, then start talking to owner operators to learn that side of the business. By then if you have a clean record, your insurance will be a lot less than it would be coming right out of the gate.

Many of the companies that have schools, will try and get you to be a lease operator. My dad always taught me not to ever lease a vehicle. The guys here call it "fleece" operator for a reason. I believe there are a couple lease operators on here, but it shouldn't be done by a new person. My brother, after completing training with England, was put in "Recovery". He was sent all over the US to pick up tractors mainly and tractor trailers that had been abandoned because these guys did not make enough money to pay the lease bills.

Laura

Hello Dakota, and welcome aboard!

I'm sure you have been doing some research that has probably got you thinking along the lines of wanting to be an Owner/Operator, but it really isn't something a new guy just jumping in should attempt. In my opinion there are really no good reasons to be an O/O. I was a business owner for most of my life. When I chose to get out of my business and start trucking I wanted to be an O/O. It didn't take me long at all to figure out there were very few advantages. I have been a very successful company driver, and I have no plans of becoming an owner. I make great money. I manage everything about my job the way I like, and I get a lot of respect from my employer. Trucking is a performance based career. If you become a top performer you will find that you can do very well as a company driver. I'd be happy to hear your reasons for looking into that option. I'm certain we can help you understand why it is not the best way to start your trucking career.

Just be happy to have a few years of blowing nice clean boogers while you are learning your new craft. Trucking is full of challenges. You will find it to be rewarding if you enjoy solving problems and coming up with good solutions. Let me encourage you to look into plenty of companies. There is no reason to go to a company that is close to you. I have never worked for a trucking company who was headquartered near me. If they haul freight in your area then they can route you home when needed. All you have to look for is their "hiring area." My present employer is in Phoenix, AZ. I live in Texas. It is not an issue.

Here's our information starter kit. There's a lot of really helpful information in these links. I hope you will take the time to look at them.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Hi, Dakota, and welcome to Trucking Truth~!!!

Prime IS A FINE COMPANY, and we have MANY drivers (and Moderators) on here that drive for/have driven for Prime.

Before you start thinking about being an O/O (which you really mean lease operator I'd assume,) Check this out:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Paid CDL Training Programs

Apply For Paid CDL Training

• Forum Topics Tagged "Leasing A Truck"

If after you read/peruse the above; I'd suggest you apply for Prime (and other companies as well) with our quick 'one and done' application. Again, this one: Apply For Paid CDL Training

Second to the last link above. This way, if Prime won't have you for whatever reason (they tend to be picky with work history) a plethora of other comparable companies/choices will be available at your fingertips!

Best wishes to you; if you have any further questions, please ask!!!

~ Anne ~

ps: When you are ready to decide if trucking is, in fact, for you; our HIGH ROAD TRAINING PROGRAM is second to NONE! (As is our PreTrip study guide, all here, for free!)

....and O/S beats me again. . .

....and O/S beats me again. . .

I know! Way past his bedtime, too.

Thanks everybody. I decided not to go with prime, or be an owner operator. A couple years late, but I’m going to the community college this spring. As my New Years revolution. The material on here is great. Thanks every one for your input. After thinking about it for years, I’m doing it.

Thanks everybody. I decided not to go with prime, or be an owner operator. A couple years late, but I’m going to the community college this spring. As my New Years revolution. The material on here is great. Thanks every one for your input. After thinking about it for years, I’m doing it.

Go through the links again that are posted above and see why we don't recommend community colleges or local training schools. In this tough economy where companies are laying off drivers because freight has slowed, you really need to go with a company that does training. Then you are pretty much assured of having a job when you get through it. Going through a community college is no guarantee that you will have a job, only that you will have your CDL.

Laura

Thanks everybody. I decided not to go with prime, or be an owner operator. A couple years late, but I’m going to the community college this spring. As my New Years revolution. The material on here is great. Thanks every one for your input. After thinking about it for years, I’m doing it.

Go through the links again that are posted above and see why we don't recommend community colleges or local training schools. In this tough economy where companies are laying off drivers because freight has slowed, you really need to go with a company that does training. Then you are pretty much assured of having a job when you get through it. Going through a community college is no guarantee that you will have a job, only that you will have your CDL.

Laura

I’m not to kean on owing somebody a year of my life via contractual obligations. I will be working locally hauling grain, if the work dries up, I’ll just follow it wherever it goes. I appreciate the knowledge and input though. Thank you!

Thanks everybody. I decided not to go with prime, or be an owner operator. A couple years late, but I’m going to the community college this spring. As my New Years revolution. The material on here is great. Thanks every one for your input. After thinking about it for years, I’m doing it.

Go through the links again that are posted above and see why we don't recommend community colleges or local training schools. In this tough economy where companies are laying off drivers because freight has slowed, you really need to go with a company that does training. Then you are pretty much assured of having a job when you get through it. Going through a community college is no guarantee that you will have a job, only that you will have your CDL.

Laura

I’m not seeing anything specifically saying community colleges/local schools are bad. Just a ton on sponsored schools.