So I'm Going To Become A Truck Driver...(looking For Critique)

Hello all. I've recently made the decision to become a truck driver. I've always enjoyed driving, especially road trips. I'm an introvert so I don't think I would struggle with the loneliness factor of being an OTR trucker. Not to mention I don't have a wife or kids so home time isn't an issue for me.

So my plan is to enroll in a proper trucking school and pay 3k rather than go through a megacarrier's training program. The reason I'm doing this is because I don't like the idea of being stuck at a megacarrier based on the contractual agreement, plus I have heard mostly bad things about them.

My plan is to complete schooling, get hired at a megacarrier (from what I've read they are pretty much the only companies who will hire a rookie fresh out of school - correct me if I'm wrong,) grind out 6+ months with them to get some experience under my belt, then switch to a different company that offers better wages. I've been looking at OTR jobs in my area and there's quite a few companies paying 70cpm, but each one of them requires 6+ months experience. I'm not planning an entire career of company hopping, but I don't want to be stuck at a company like Swift for years... Thinking long-term my plan is to save up money and become an owner operator after a few years.

Also, is hair follicle testing a common procedure nowadays? In 1.5 weeks from now I will be able to pass a urine analysis, but for a hair test I'd have to wait at least 2 more months, not really interested in that because I want to get to work, I'm sick of being unemployed and I'm running out of savings.

Another thing too...my work history is pretty ****. Huge gaps in my history from all kinds of things; college, attempting to start a business, personal medical reasons, etc. Do you think this would be an issue for any of the megacarriers that hire rookies fresh out of school?

My 10 driving history (not official, just going off of memory): illegal parking ticket in 2014, speeding ticket in 2017 and 2020 (both within 15mph over speed limit.) Would this be an issue? I've heard trucking companies are very strict about this. In hindsight I wish I would've kicked up money for an attorney.

Thank you for reading, looking forward to your responses.🙂

With your gaps of employment and recent speeding tickets, your best bet is to apply for company sponsored training and take the offers you get. Local schools may get you a CDL but care little about you obtaining employment.

The garbage you seem to have heard previously holds very little weight.

From what I've gathered a lot of carriers use hair tests(I assume to get lower insurance rates) but also still have to do urine as that's all DOT allows. The "student pays" schools I've researched only require the DOT urine test so depending how long your school is and when you'd start you should be right at 90 days in order to pass hair.

I'd probably pay for my own hair test first to be sure before something that critical gets tested by a third party not beholden to you.

Hello all. I've recently made the decision to become a truck driver. I've always enjoyed driving, especially road trips. I'm an introvert so I don't think I would struggle with the loneliness factor of being an OTR trucker. Not to mention I don't have a wife or kids so home time isn't an issue for me.

So my plan is to enroll in a proper trucking school and pay 3k rather than go through a megacarrier's training program. The reason I'm doing this is because I don't like the idea of being stuck at a megacarrier based on the contractual agreement, plus I have heard mostly bad things about them.

My plan is to complete schooling, get hired at a megacarrier (from what I've read they are pretty much the only companies who will hire a rookie fresh out of school - correct me if I'm wrong,) grind out 6+ months with them to get some experience under my belt, then switch to a different company that offers better wages. I've been looking at OTR jobs in my area and there's quite a few companies paying 70cpm, but each one of them requires 6+ months experience. I'm not planning an entire career of company hopping, but I don't want to be stuck at a company like Swift for years... Thinking long-term my plan is to save up money and become an owner operator after a few years.

Also, is hair follicle testing a common procedure nowadays? In 1.5 weeks from now I will be able to pass a urine analysis, but for a hair test I'd have to wait at least 2 more months, not really interested in that because I want to get to work, I'm sick of being unemployed and I'm running out of savings.

Another thing too...my work history is pretty ****. Huge gaps in my history from all kinds of things; college, attempting to start a business, personal medical reasons, etc. Do you think this would be an issue for any of the megacarriers that hire rookies fresh out of school?

My 10 driving history (not official, just going off of memory): illegal parking ticket in 2014, speeding ticket in 2017 and 2020 (both within 15mph over speed limit.) Would this be an issue? I've heard trucking companies are very strict about this. In hindsight I wish I would've kicked up money for an attorney.

Thank you for reading, looking forward to your responses.🙂

You’ve got it all wrong...

Stay off the Internet. Don’t believe a word of anything about any of the megas, including (especially) Swift.

I suggest you start with this:

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

I also suggest getting into the Trucking Truth blog section (found in the menu bar in the upper left), focused on Paid CDL Training Programs. Absolutely your best option.

I've been looking at OTR jobs in my area and there's quite a few companies paying 70cpm, but each one of them requires 6+ months experience.

Is that the only requirement? I'd look at that entire list again, because they usually require a clean driving record and they will look at employment history. Stick to your first job for more than 6 months. Learn what you need to learn and get good at it before you go to a company requiring experience. Money comes secondary in this game. A few mistakes will make you untouchable and you'll be back to where you are now.

I'm not planning an entire career of company hopping, but I don't want to be stuck at a company like Swift for years...

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Swift is a huge company with lots of resources and they're willing to work with you during your growth. Unfortunately, due to you not being able to pass a follicle test, swift wouldn't be interested in you. Your options are limited and you need to scale back some of your attitude. You have nothing to offer, but you have a list of demands that aren't realistic for somebody in your situation.

Another thing too...my work history is pretty ****. Huge gaps in my history from all kinds of things

That's a no from Prime and TMC. So far Swift, prime and TMC aren't interested in you.

speeding ticket in 2017 and 2020 (both within 15mph over speed limit.) Would this be an issue? 

That's more nos. Apply For Paid CDL Training and go to whoever bites. You're not going to have a long list of companies to choose from, so go where you can and start proving yourself before you start moving to greener pastures.

First off, if you recently quit smoking dope, you should wait 1 year. A failed drug test can ruin your career before it starts.

Most companies who train, "mega carriers", are not as bad as the internet says. That 70 CPM is not real. Most of those ads are up to XXCPM. That is your base CPM plus bonuses which are not guaranteed.

I was trained by and drive for CFI. Free training with a 12 month contract. That 12 months flew by. I feel like my own boss with a huge support team.

Kearsy love Prime. Why do people stay at these mega carriers for years and millions of miles? It's not just the CPM.

I can't get much more CPM OTR than what I get now. CFI spoils us, that makes it harder to leave this mega carriers. I wouldn't drive OTR for anyone else. Also, mega carriers usually have more than one opportunity. At CFI we have refer, dedicated, regional , and OTR.

Prime has refer, tanker and flatbed.

Swift has dry van , refer and flatbed.

Schneider has dry van, tanker and intermodal.

Take your time and figure out what works best for you.

Being single, if you liked it out here, you could live in your truck and not need a car, apartment and the costs with those. This allows you to maximize your income.

Good luck.

Howdy, Bandit;

Welcome from me, as well.

The guys above are ALL spot on. Vets & mods around here KNOW their stuff!!!

One more thing; if you'd add your location to your profile (even just the state) it can help us, help you.

Wish you the best!

~ Anne ~

Welcome to our forum Green Eyed Bandit!

I'd bet a thousand dollars the responses you are getting are completely unexpected from you. Just about all the information you have based your desires on are completely out of line. That's the modern day information highway. When it comes to trucking there is no end to the terrible advice on the internet. That is why we included the word "Truth" in the name on this website. We know how hard it is to decipher all the trash talk you wil come across when researching trucking. It is really sad.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I am currently a very satisfied driver who makes great money working for a mega carrier (Knight). When I started out my career I was very much misinformed, much like yourself. I wasted my own money on a private school and then I could not get a job. People hear there is a driver shortage and they think this will be an easy career to find employment in. That is not true! You need to be crystal clean in a lot of areas. Drugs, driving records, and employment records mean a lot in this industry. I was clean on all accounts and I still hit a wall of resistance.

You need to apply to as many Paid CDL Training Programs as possible. See if any of them show an interest. Even if you don't intend on going that way you should do it. This will help you gauge if you have a shot or not. You cracked me up with this comment...

I'm not planning an entire career of company hopping, but I don't want to be stuck at a company like Swift for years.

It shows us that the only thing you know about this career is what you have gleaned from the internet. The internet is full of B.S. You are just parroting what you have seen. None of it is true. The only thing true is that Swift is the Radio Rambo's favorite whipping boy. How in the world do you think a company grows to be of such size as Swift? Let me give you a few clues...

• They have solid finances
• They provide great customer service
• They have great equipment
• They treat their employees well
• They maintain a strong customer base through a great reputation for service

I could go on and on, but I bet you are surprised you have never heard any positive things about Swift or the mega carriers. It is no surprise to me, but let me share one more little personal story about my trucking experiences. Not too long ago I had a flat tire on the road. I called it in to my mega carrier and they instructed me to go just about five miles down the road to a Petro truck repair location. Here is what happened when I got there: I walked up to the counter and told them my dilemma. They instructed me to pull into bay 3 and they would get right on it. Immediately another trucker in the waiting area erupts in an angry diatribe about how he has been waiting for hours to get his tire repaired, but they are letting me in ahead of him! "It isn't fair and it isn't right," he kept demanding. He probably worked for one of those companies you are so enamored with who pay upwards of 70 CPM. Here's what the guy at the counter shut him up with...

Your boss can't even figure out which credit card he isn't maxed out on so he can pay our bill. This guy's company will pay us before he is out the door. That is the kind of reputation they have out here for getting their repair work done.

You haven't even begun to understand the benefits of working for a big trucking company with a strong reputation in the industry. You have a lot to learn about the trucking industry, and you have a lot to learn before anyone pays you anything like 70 CPM. That is a pipe dream for you at this point. It will take you every bit of a year to even figure out how to be efficient and productive at this career. You should really reconsider how you make your start. The chosen few who make a career out of this are special people who excel at a special job. Don't get the cart before the horse. Don't think this is easy and you are going to be really good at it because you love to drive.

I am not trying to be tough on you, but I want you to realize how confused you are with the information you have gathered. This is a special career for special people. If you can fill the shoes of a truck driver then you have got some big feet! You have to prove all of that first. There is no short cut to becoming an asset in this industry. The numbers of failures are staggering. Get yourself off to a good start and that will help you considerably as you make the effort to be a trucker. One of the best decisions you can make is to start off right. That means letting a mega carrier train you and hire you. It is not the only way to go, but it is the best way in our opinion. You will understand all of this better once you get out here on your own and realize how challenging this really is.

We want the best for you. We really do. That is why we shoot straight with you. We know there is a whole subculture of truckers on the internet who think we are foolish with our advice. We know what works and we are all living examples of being very successful truckers. I make great money at a mega carrier. I don't want to reduce my pay by going with one of the companies you think are so great. You will find that it takes time to develop yourself in this career. That investment of time has turned out well for me.

the truth!

Welcome to our forum Green Eyed Bandit!

I'd bet a thousand dollars the responses you are getting are completely unexpected from you. Just about all the information you have based your desires on are completely out of line. That's the modern day information highway. When it comes to trucking there is no end to the terrible advice on the internet. That is why we included the word "Truth" in the name on this website. We know how hard it is to decipher all the trash talk you wil come across when researching trucking. It is really sad.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I am currently a very satisfied driver who makes great money working for a mega carrier (Knight). When I started out my career I was very much misinformed, much like yourself. I wasted my own money on a private school and then I could not get a job. People hear there is a driver shortage and they think this will be an easy career to find employment in. That is not true! You need to be crystal clean in a lot of areas. Drugs, driving records, and employment records mean a lot in this industry. I was clean on all accounts and I still hit a wall of resistance.

It shows us that the only thing you know about this career is what you have gleaned from the internet. The internet is full of B.S. You are just parroting what you have seen. None of it is true. The only thing true is that Swift is the Radio Rambo's favorite whipping boy. How in the world do you think a company grows to be of such size as Swift? Let me give you a few clues...

• They have solid finances
• They provide great customer service
• They have great equipment
• They treat their employees well
• They maintain a strong customer base through a great reputation for service

I could go on and on, but I bet you are surprised you have never heard any positive things about Swift or the mega carriers. It is no surprise to me, but let me share one more little personal story about my trucking experiences. Not too long ago I had a flat tire on the road. I called it in to my mega carrier and they instructed me to go just about five miles down the road to a Petro truck repair location. Here is what happened when I got there: I walked up to the counter and told them my dilemma. They instructed me to pull into bay 3 and they would get right on it. Immediately another trucker in the waiting area erupts in an angry diatribe about how he has been waiting for hours to get his tire repaired, but they are letting me in ahead of him! "It isn't fair and it isn't right," he kept demanding. He probably worked for one of those companies you are so enamored with who pay upwards of 70 CPM. Here's what the guy at the counter shut him up with...

Your boss can't even figure out which credit card he isn't maxed out on so he can pay our bill. This guy's company will pay us before he is out the door. That is the kind of reputation they have out here for getting their repair work done.

You haven't even begun to understand the benefits of working for a big trucking company with a strong reputation in the industry. You have a lot to learn about the trucking industry, and you have a lot to learn before anyone pays you anything like 70 CPM. That is a pipe dream for you at this point. It will take you every bit of a year to even figure out how to be efficient and productive at this career. You should really reconsider how you make your start. The chosen few who make a career out of this are special people who excel at a special job. Don't get the cart before the horse. Don't think this is easy and you are going to be really good at it because you love to drive.

I am not trying to be tough on you, but I want you to realize how confused you are with the information you have gathered. This is a special career for special people. If you can fill the shoes of a truck driver then you have got some big feet! You have to prove all of that first. There is no short cut to becoming an asset in this industry. The numbers of failures are staggering. Get yourself off to a good start and that will help you considerably as you make the effort to be a trucker. One of the best decisions you can make is to start off right. That means letting a mega carrier train you and hire you. It is not the only way to go, but it is the best way in our opinion. You will understand all of this better once you get out here on your own and realize how challenging this really is.

We want the best for you. We really do. That is why we shoot straight with you. We know there is a whole subculture of truckers on the internet who think we are foolish with our advice. We know what works and we are all living examples of being very successful truckers. I make great money at a mega carrier. I don't want to reduce my pay by going with one of the companies you think are so great. You will find that it takes time to develop yourself in this career. That investment of time has turned out well for me.

Look at Millis. Continental Express. I know there are other mini-mega carriers that train. Anne, Chime in? There are products out there to assist w cleansing the system and even hair follicle. Will not get into that battle on here. Take a few months and get it out of your system. I strongly suggest company sponsored. You will know right out of the gate who will accept you. Pay for schooling only to find out after who will or will not accept you. Good luck!