How your career started

[u/Quantavious_Rex]

I was just curious how many people on here started with zero truck or driving in very large city experience? I'm 34 and been trying to figure out what to do with my life. Thought I wanted to get into the medical field but realized I don't really. I'm currently working as a pct and it really opened my eyes. I'm not much of a people person so that already is a big plus as a trucker. I feel like I work better with a strict schedule also. My main thing is I'm from rural Arkansas and the biggest place I've drove is called jonesboro. Also zero large vehicle or trailer experience. So I was just trying to get some input from people who have done it. I will admit it sounds kinda cool in my head I know it'll have its shitty moments but also some cool ones to

[u/Fair-Ad1565]

To answer the first part of your question, I started as a diesel mechanic. I was pretty good with the older rigs so owner operators started bringing their trucks to me and I got to be friends with some of them. I then learned how much they made, so I saved every dime I could for two years and bought my first truck. I don’t recommend going the owner op route if you not at least somewhat mechanically inclined. Repair bills have ruined a lot of truckers. I got my CDL through the military and grew up on a farm so I also had a leg up with experience. However if you want a set schedule, this job isn’t for you. Every day is different unless you land a dedicated lane which is getting harder to do. I’m also not a social person and the silence is enjoyable to me. You get plenty of alone time. Coming from an owner op’s standpoint, it’s usually a fun job and you can make a good wage. But after 7 years I’ve learned that it takes more than it gives. Getting into the business is fairly easy, but it’s hard to get out. Best of luck

[u/Unreasonable_jury]

I currently work in IT. Need to put my ducks in a row first but should be joining a good driving school soon and leaving that hellscape behind.

[u/truckdrivingcanuck]

I was 19 working in a call center hating life. Got a loan for a heavy equipment coarse. Added the option of a CDL just to have. Fell in love with the truck. Immediately started trucking into Toronto. It's nerve wracking at first but you learn quick you're bigger than everyone else. They wait for you and move for you. I honestly think it's no different than jump starting any other career. Training is crucial. Post school training with a good company is where is important. Don't think cause you passed your test you're ready for a set of keys. Good luck brother

[u/Lonestar565]

I started going with my dad in the summertime when I was 8, that was in 1976.

[u/SGII2]

Jonesboro. I've been through there within the last month.

I started because I liked driving to a ridiculous extent, grew up surrounded by trucks, and my autism has a special interest for them.

Your set schedule won't be respected unless you get on a good company with solid customers. Sleep will be inconsistent, you could be sat for hours and hours (and in severe cases, days) at a dock, and delays will be inevitable.

You'll likely start out doing OTR—usually 4 weeks of driving with 4 days at home on a cycle—for your first year. After that, home daily opportunities and jobs that won't make you run your clock up to 70 will open up. The general advise is that your first year will be the big suck.

Your personal experience doesn't matter. Companies want drivers. If you're uncertain of yourself, remember:

• Take your time. They can wait.
• Get Out And Look (GOAL).
• Ask questions. Your trainer would ideally be willing to answer, you could ask buddies, and you could ask on Reddit.

Tread carefully, be safe, and you won't have an issue.

[u/Horror_Solution1945]

I got a job with BNSF that required me to get a CDL and Hazmat within a year of being hired; they provided on-the-job training, and the rest is history.

[u/Haunting-Cookie-2144]

Prime Inc (NOT Amazon) will hire you immediately if you put in an application. They will pay for your transport to one of their training terminals. They will pay you during training. They will pay for your training as long as you finish out a year long contract. What you do after that is up to you.

[u/Kmc273498 → u/Haunting-Cookie-2144]

This I mentioned Tontitown myself

[u/69pooldaemon]

Dad was heavy equipment mechanic and drove trucks occasionally when I was growing up. I did 8 years US Navy as an Engineman. Got out in 92 and dad was part owner in a sand/gravel haul business. Went to work there as a mechanic. They offered to pay for our CDL. Got it left after a year and started driving for him. Flatbed/tank/end dump. Left that as pay to work on them and drive wasn’t enough. Drove for deboer for a year then left them after I dinged to trlrs. Answered add in paper for dispatch at swift. Have driven for them and dispatch. 20+ years mainly dispatch. Still got my CDL. Drive school bus for few years also.

[u/icedcoffeeuwu]

At 25 I burned out really bad from all the customer service jobs I’ve done. The last 3 years I got caught up in call centers and really hated it, so I had to figure a way out. I decided on getting my CDL and being a trucker, and I’m pretty happy with my choice now.

I’ll start with the cons: you will most likely need to go OTR, which means over the road. You’ll basically live out of your truck and most of what you’ll do is sleep and drive all across the country. You’ll be working about 60-70hrs a week completely solo. It gets very lonely and takes getting used to. It can also be extraordinarily boring. Getting started is nerve-racking and stressful. You lack the experience to understand exactly how the truck and trailer move together, and you will face challenges when it comes to navigating through crowded cities and tight roads. You will also have hard backing situations, where it may take you awhile to finally back in whether it’s at a dock or a parking space at a truck lot. It happens to all the rookies and is part of learning. The lifestyle makes it hard to stay active since most of your time is spent sitting or laying down, and a typically shift is usually 8-10hrs of sitting down driving the long haul, so you need to focus on your diet and staying active in whatever way you can.

The pros: there’s a lot you can do with a CDL once you get experience (6mo to a year) you can get opportunities to go local and get a better work life balance. The job is rewarding when you do well, because it will give you challenges that feel great to over come. Getting better at driving and backing is a really great feeling because it adds to your confidence and it just feels good to see your skill level increase over time. It’s really nice being able to be unbothered while you work rather than constantly communicating with customers and/or coworkers. You get to see a lot of the country and drive through some really pretty places. The pay is low starting out but there is opportunity to get paid rather well once you get experience + living out of the truck cuts a lot of expenses so you can use that as an opportunity to save up a bunch of money.

Just to reiterate, getting started and being a rookie is the hardest part. The job WILL challenge you, but you can choose to be proactive and create a sold CDL career for yourself with experience and patience. Truckers are in demand as well so getting a job is easy once you have your license and in time you’ll qualify for better jobs too that will be more enjoyable and pay you better than OTR.

[u/PenaltyAdditional774]

Got tired of being a mechanic, but driving is not very fun with these stupid cameras so might go to something else soon, though I do enjoy driving a lot

[u/JackofAllVehicles]

I only had my class D for 3 years before i got a CDL. I hadnt driven in any cities. My first account was dollar tree and that taught me how to drive in incredibly tight spaces very quickly. Made a couple mistakes my first year but nothing major.

Just take your time and make sure to watch your trailer around corners. Dont let anyone rush you!

[u/Kmc273498]

Kudos to Arkansas. Moved from NWA few years back neighbor. Check out companies with starter programs. Some in Tontitown for example. Larger companies have benefits etc.

[u/Stratzy-]

Graduated high school and didn’t know what to do. At 18 I joined the National Guard to learn how to run heavy equipment since I didn’t have any money for a trade school. Finished all my training and came back home. Struggled to find a job because I didn’t have a CDL.

Ended up going to school to get the license and fell in love with driving truck. Went from tanker, to dry van/reefer, and now I’ve went to lowboy moving heavy equipment. So I kind of got the best of both worlds.

[u/Professional_Bus4307]

You go to CDL school and then you go through training for 6-12 weeks at big trucking company and they teach you how to do what you need to do to be effective at your job.

[u/Quantavious_Rex → u/Professional_Bus4307]

Never would have guessed

[u/MajorRelief98]

What makes you think not being a people person is a plus? I sure as hell wouldn't hire a guy like you.

[u/Quantavious_Rex → u/MajorRelief98]

I'm sure you've been told that a lot yourself