Questions From A Hopeful New Driver

Hi everyone!First and foremost,I just want to say thank you to Brett for making such an amazing site,and also to everyone else here for being so friendly and informative!I have been visiting this site everyday for a little over a month now reading like crazy,and recently started the High Road Training Program

I have so many questions about the industry!I am 24,engaged,and both my fiance and I believe this lifestyle would fit us perfectly!We have been together for over 5 years now,and live in a very small one bedroom apartment.We love being alone,and are always going on road trips.Most of the time we don't even have a destination.I LOVE driving!My dad and grandpa were both truckers for years.It's always something I've wanted to do,and I'm finally ready to take action. I have already picked out a few companies that seem to suit me perfectly (Prime is my number 1),and have put countless hours into reading every article imaginable I could find on them.So a couple questions I was hoping someone could help me out with.First let me explain my situation. My fiance are getting married on October 31st of this year.I'm not sure if I should start applying to companies now,or wait until after our wedding.If it was up to me I would love to start tomorrow!I just don't want to apply and get a call,and then not be home in time for the wedding.The companies I intend on applying for all have company-sponsored training (thank you Brett for that article) as I just can't afford to pay for the schooling on my own right now.As I said earlier I would love to start as soon as possible,but I'm wondering if I would have enough time to go through all the training in time,and maybe they would let me have a couple days off for the wedding? Also does anyone know if Prime allows riders?My fiance would love to ride with me,and like I said,we're used to being in closed quarters,either in the car or in our tiny apartment.So neither of us are worried about getting under each others skin too much.We are both introverts to an extent,don't have any kids or family,and nothing really to come home for.We are happiest when we're out on the road.We have both thought long and hard about this,and I have done a lot of soul-searching,and we both believe this is what's best for us. I know I don't have any kind of experience at all,but I'm sure attitude is everything.And I have a great attitude about it!I'm excited and optimistic!I know that it's going to be a long and sometimes very hard road,and I know sometimes I might want to throw in the towel,but I understand that just comes with the learning.I'm very hopeful that everything will work out and I will get an opportunity,because I really believe that years from now I will look back and be glad I made this decision.

Welcome aboard Justin!

First of all, don't get too focused on any particular company. Prime Inc is an excellent company but there's nothing magical about them that you couldn't find at a lot of other companies. Also, there isn't much sense in reading everything you can about them. If they sound like they suit you well, that's most of what you need to know.

I would definitely take a hard look at a number of different companies. Once you start speaking with various recruiters you'll find that every company has its little perks and selling points. Often times it's things you hadn't even thought of. So Prime Inc might seem like the greatest company on Earth until you speak with one or two others. So it will definitely benefit you to explore what's out there a little bit.

But by far the most important thing for you to be doing is preparing yourself for getting your career off to a great start. And of course the most important aspect of that is getting through the entire High Road Training Program. But you'll want to make sure you're prepared financially, that you have your living situation worked out long before it's time to leave (like putting stuff in storage, etc), and that you're in the best physical health you can be in before the time comes.

As far as the wedding goes - that's a real tough one. I've never been married but I know that ideally your own wedding isn't something you pop in for quick on the weekend before heading back out again, and the company is not going to give you more than about 4 days off at a time. They also can't guarantee you'll get home on time, although I would expect for something like this you have a very, very good chance of being there on time.

But personally I would strongly consider getting into trucking after the wedding if at all possible. The stress of starting a new trucking career, the strain of being away from home, and trying to plan a wedding all at the same time is going to land you in the looney bin. Both the wedding and getting your trucking career underway and major undertakings that are going to sap the overwhelming majority of your time and energy. Doing both at the same time would be an awful lot to deal with.

Thanks for the helpful hints!I haven't been completely focused on only one company.I made a list of about five or six different companies,and based on what I'm looking for,which is otr cross-country,Prime is on the top of my list right now.I've been reading posts on here from you and other drivers looking at other companies as well.I'm really interested in driving reefer ,because I love the idea of the longer hauls.I'm about halfway through the High Road Program,and am working getting my cdl permit.That way when the time comes,I will be well prepared thanks to you and everyone else on this awesome site!I'm shooting for the end of this year sometime,that way the wedding will be over and I will be able to focus solely on my future career.

Hey, everything you just said sounded perfect. Keep your mind open to other companies, but I agree that refrigerated would be the way to go if you want to run more coast to coast runs.

And you're also right about finishing the High Road Training Program, getting your permit, and getting married before you begin your CDL training. Get everything else taken care of so you can relax and focus when the time comes.

Sounds like you're in a great position! You should be very well prepared when the time comes.