Question:
Hi everybody. My name is Natalie and I have a ? my uncle owns a small trucking company and is wanting me to drive for him. I have always loved riding with him ever since I was a little girl and have always thought about driving a BIG truck, and I think I have finally made the decision to do so. I have been wondering if it would be best to go with a school or just have my uncle train me after I get my permit? Any thoughts on this? Thanks Natalie

Answer:
your best route would be to do both. First attend a good driving school to learn the basics and then secondly have your uncle finish training you.
The reason for this is if you would decide to leave your uncle's company anytime in the next two to three years you would have a hard time finding a company to work for if you did not have a certificate of completion from a driving school. Also by attending the school you would learn the basics in a lower pressure environment then trying to get things down while running loads from the very start.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
If your sure you will stay with yout uncle for atleast a year, two might even be better. I wouldn't spend the money for a school. The majority of people have to go to school because they would not be able to get experience without it. No one would hire them because of insurance. In your case it's a little different. You can get a job and experience. I've met several people that have cdl's and have good jobs that did not go to a school. They have not been drivers long.
Why waist the money?
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
The previous two replies make excellent comments. Private schoool is alot, on the other hand a trucking co. school is not as much. You will of course have to sign a 1yr commitment to drive for them after they train you. In my case I quit before the year was up and am slowly paying the cost of the school off. I, like you had another "in" with a local job which paid better and I was home every night with two days off like the rest of the world.
So, you have several things to weigh. Sounds like your Uncle will always be there for you. Some schooling and a little experience under your belt will only help you in the long run.
But, that will cost you some time and money. I know you will get some good answers here at the forum.
RookieTrucker

Answer:
Thanks for the advice. My main concern was the possibility of not wanting to drive for my uncle. Sometimes working with your family members is not the best thing to do. But then again where would I get free training,choice of what truck I want to drive,and the choice of what runs I wanna make. I suppose both choices have good and bad points. Thanks for your input. This is a great site I have been lurking around here for a couple of months and have learned a lot. Natalie

Answer:
I believe that going to a school is most definatly advisable. It can provide you with a structured learning envrionment that will allow you to learn how to drive and the laws and regulations you need to be aware of.
Not sure of the statistics related to Big trucks but I know for a fact most motorcycle accidents 90% are riders that were self taught or taught by friends or family.
I had the ability to just hit the road in a truck with a friend for training but chose school instead..I'm glad I did. Eventhough my friend would have tried very hard to make sure I learned what was necessary, I'm sure he would have missed some critical information.
$2-3000 is not a lot to spend to begin a professional career. Just look at what some folks pay for 4 years of college...or even 2 for that matter. $20,000 to become a motorcycle mechanic, about $60,000 for a 4 year degree from a university.
Check out your local community college they may have a truck driving school that is not over-priced.
As the past becomes the future unfolds
Answer:
"Some times working with your family members is not the best thing to do"
I agree with this statement. Will he expect more from you? If you do something stupid, will he blab to the whole family---make you look bad to all your loved ones? If you decide you've been out long enough and can use a couple days off, will he chastise you more than others? Will he make you feel like "you owe him" for bringing you in?
I don't know your Uncle, but I do know humans and the way things work in this industry---everyone can get a little greedy and I'm sure your Uncle (as the owner of the company) is no exception.
If you insist on driving for family, you had better go to a good school first, that way, should something happen to make you want to leave him, you have that diploma for a foot in the door of another company.
School of hard knocks does not hold any water any more.
Good Luck
_________________________
Cover Your Cans People!!!It's apparent this place is never going to change....then again; why should it? It gets the clientel it deserves.
Bette Midler

Answer:
I once worked with my Uncle, who owned a lawn service here in Florida. On one hand it was nice knowing my boss, but it was at times difficult, because he was family.
Should the occasion ever arise that your Uncle would need to fire you for whatever reason (selling the trucks..whatever) that is the main ingredient for a big hassle.
With a regular boss you can tell them to pound salt at any time. Working for your uncle is a different story.
The upside, like Stuffi said, is you have the potential to get your training for free. If you Uncle has a reputable company, and keeps his drivers running and making money, then go for it. Don't look at it as working for your uncle. When you are in his truck you are an employee, when you aren't you are family.
Best of luck to you.

Answer:
Natalie30 - I highly recommend school that is not attached to a company. You pay, but you get what you pay for. Check out this site for some good schools. http://www.truckschoolsusa.com/EditorsChoice.htm Spend some extra time on the front end and your driving career will run smoother on the back end.
Godd luck to you!

Answer:
I went to the school someone else here called "grind em or find em"
I was trained on the job by a very good driver who was on injury. He gave me a lot of good advice, tips and tricks.
It helps that I am a pretty quick study and it feels like natural to me to drive a semi.
I did miss out on alot of detail stuff tho. like I am still havin trouble with log books and stuff like that. Alot of terminology I'm not familiar with yet and I've been driving over a year.
I look at it as if I am an apprenticeship in a trade.
I only tell you these things, because it may help you in the school or no school decision.
A good, knowledgable driver may be ok, but will he be enough if you have to trade jobs sooner than you thought?
hope I helped.
Neza
"I am the one who can crush you into a fine powder."