Question:
Hey there, I currently live in TC, WA. And i am wondering if any long haul drivers live here and what company do they work for, Trying to see how good they give you hometime living up here.
i also would be curious to meet some people who are here in TC passing thru or live here who drive OTR i have alot questions i would love to be answerd. I want to go Central Reefer so if anyone works for them maybe i can meet ya at a truck stop in king city. I currently am a delivery driver for DHL and have some spair time during weekdays.
And if no one wants to meet to BS, How weird is it for me to head down to the truckstop and BS with some of the drivers? do they normally get upset when random people start to talk to you about your job and if you like it etc? or do you enjoy the company and questions. Anyway thanks in advance i am trying to make the jump to trucking i just wana get all advice prior.

Answer:
I live in tri cities too and i'm headed to cr england in 2 months. I have been debating for 2 years on who to go with. I was tied between swift and england cause them have so much freight coming and going from our area. I have went down to the truck stop several times to talk to drivers, they dont mind too much just tell them you are thinking about driving truck and want some info. Central's school is in salt lake as they told me that is where i would be going if i went with them. Your best bet is to talk to the drivers that drive for the company that you are intrested in.
BOL
Byron

Answer:
Awesome thanks for the reply, i have gone down to King city a couple times but i always feel bad going to talk to someone since he is working and might be tired etc,
I do see alot of CRE trucks around town aswell as swift, They do seem to be the big runners around our area maybe i will look more into that then Central. Thanks again Byron and keep me posted on how england works out.

Answer:
Seems to me that there are better companies in the Northwest than Central and England. Both of those Companies are out of SLC right?? I know that not all of the companies in your area take students but some do...look at Tans-System Inc, I know they hire students. Gordon out of Pacific, Interstate out of Tacoma...keep looking around there are alot of trucking companies in your area...just go out to an I-5 overpass and watch how many and what companies are running up and down the road. Good luck!

Answer:

If you need training and dont have 3000.00 then you need to look for a company sponsered school. I'm headed to england as i have a guy that i been in contact with for 8 months and countless other england drivers that have nothing but good to say.
BOL
Byron

Answer:
I needed training and didn't have 3 grand sitting around either, so I went to community college for twelve weeks for their "Truck Driving Certificate Program". It cost me about $450 including books and State testing fees. I got hired with a company and didn't have to worry about a contract or paying back a loan.
If you have had 8 months to think about it, you have had time to find a community college to attend.

Answer:
Swift drivers live around there, Werner drivers live around there.....any company that hauls lots of freight across 90 or 84 will probably hire someone from that area. Protect your CDL and keep a good accident record, and Wal-Mart in Hermiston will consider you with experience -- excellent job.
You don't have to live near a company terminal to be hired -- at least with the big interstate OTR haulers. They just want you near a major "traffic lane" or near some of their accounts, and there are plenty of shippers and receivers in the tri-cities area.
I too would recommend a community college if you can't afford a commercial truck school. I'd certainly recommend it before the last resort -- a company sponsored truck school, which will make you an indentured employee until you're school "loan" is paid off. Check the fine print on England's agreement carefully. I believe you'll owe them money -- cash on the spot -- if you quit before a pre-determined date when they feel you've paid them back for the education they gave you. Each contract is different, but make sure you understand your obligation to them. England may not be all your contacts have made it out to be. A lot depends on chance, your dispatcher, your truck, and many other factors. It's always best to leave your options open and not HAVE to stick with one company for a couple years in exchange for their truck school, if things aren't to your liking.
Good luck and always put safety first.