Question:
Hi,
I just thought I would introduce myself. Although I'm a new member, I've been reading the posts at this sight for quite some time. I really enjoy the broad spectrum of opinions regarding trucking in general and
individual companies. I've realized that trucking is a very hard way to make a living. Yet, if you're willing to learn you can make a pretty good income. I also learned that there is no such thing as a perfect company to work for, but some companies are less perfect than others. So thanks for putting out the good, the bad, and the ugly for us newbies.
I am making a second attempt at becoming a truck driver at the ripe old age of 49. The first attempt was a couple of years ago when my wife and I had to move back home to take care of her folks. I went with Schneider. I left after my first week in the truck with my TE. The guy was wound a little too tight, and I did not feel safe. There were times on that trip when the only comfort I had was that if I ended up getting killed out there because of him, I was going to take him with me. What really scared me was the thought of somebody else out there getting killed too...someone's mom, dad, or kids.
Anyways, I payed off my debt to SNI for the schooling, kicked around a couple of different jobs and saved up my money for truck driving school. I've got two weeks to go before taking my CDL test and graduating. I've done my homework this time and planning to sign on with Roehl Transport. I'll keep you folks updated on my progress.
Stillday

Answer:
Welcome aboard ... best of luck to you, and thanks for the kind words re: Truck Net .....

Answer:
Roehl Transport, probably a better choice. But living in a truck will be the same no matter where you go.

Answer:
Yeh, I know it won't be no picnic. After finding out as much info as I could, I came up with three finalists: Roehl, Crete, and Millis. I like Roehl's flexible hometime, and the starting pay/benefits aren't too shabby for a greenhorn. They have a terminal 1 1/2 to 2hrs away. I haven't been able to dig up too much negative stuff on Roehl. The stuff I did find were the kind of things that happen no matter who you drive for...just the nature of the beast.
Next week is the last week at CDL school. The skid pad was a hoot...really learned a lot. I'll be taking my CDL test next Friday. Although my downshifts are improving and I am making progress on my 90 deg alley docks, I still need more practice. I noticed that my downshifting tends to be rougher in city traffic. My downshifting is fairly smooth out in the country.
With my alley docks, I'm getting them in more frequently, but a lot of times ending up a little too much to the right or the left of the dock. During the CDL test in MI we get pointed for doing a pullup and we can't GOAL. In real life I would rather do a lot of GOAL and pullups than crunch somebody's shiny rig because I was trying to be a hotshot. From what I've read there are only three ways to get better at backing: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and PRACTICE.