Question:
Been reading a lot of posts about the Pros and cons of trucking and to be honest alot of it turns out to be one big argument over who knows more done more with the ocassional slam fest thrown in for fun. I have signed for a $3500 loan to goto a school in FL after 7 years as a Electronic technician. This is a big change in my life and it scares me. I start tomorrow sept 22nd. I want good information. I want to learn stuff here to help me decide whats best for me. Ihaven't paid me dues in the trucking industry and no one owes me anything. However I would like to request some of your knowledge and wisdom. I saw a great post by cyandie about tankers would love to see more of that here. Saw one person cant remember who talk about grease pen notes on the windshield. Great IDEA you can bet that ones stored in my memory. All i am humbley asking is that if you have experiance in a particular asppect of trucking you start a post with good info and advice. Been driving regional for 10 tens tell us about it got some tips on log book management? tell us about it I know your time is valueable but some where out here someone you never met or maybe never will meet may learn something and really appreciate it.
Thanks
AWolf
confirmed newbie to be

Answer:
a laptop with a mapping program has been a life saver for me.
paying for your schooling will allow you a wider range of companies to go to work for, alot of companies will even reimburse you for all or part of the schooling cost if they are the 1st company you go to work for.
being from florida you might find alot more reefer outfits that hire from your area than flatbed or van outfits. (that is if you are going to drive OTR)self discipline and good time management will help you make this a properous career.
Choose a company very carefully, ask lots of questions, even ones that seem unimportant, do lots of research, talk to drivers that currently work there, find out the good and bad.go with what works for you.
keep records of everything and always write down any pertinent info. always document instructions given to you over the phone using satellite communication. and make all your requests using the same method.
good luck

Answer:
Pick your first company carefully.
Your choices will be somewhat limited because you will be a new driver. You are basically an unknow new driver with no past record other than what happened in your 4-wheeler.
Stick with your first company for at least one year to rack up that 1st year of experience and establish a good record. More options open up after that 1st difficult year... believe me there *will* be challenges for you.
Whatever you do... don't go with one of those companies that puts 2 newbies together in a tractor after their time with a trainer. While the company gets a cheap team on the road, it could well be a disaster for you out on the road.
I just hope you researched sufficiently to know what this is all about before jumping aboard. Far too many consider certain posts from the more experienced drivers here as being "negative" or meant to "discourage" newbies... the fact is most of the time it was the truth being told.
I've been there and done that... I jumped into trucking straight after a 25 year career in computers. I decided after little over a year it wasn't for me and got out. One of the issues that was a deciding factor for me was that in trucking there are far too many things that could end my career in the blink of an eye.
You've made your choice and I wish you all the best with it and many safe miles.

Answer:
I jumped into trucking straight after a 25 year career in computers. I decided after little over a year it wasn't for me and got out. One of the issues that was a deciding factor for me was that in trucking there are far too many things that could end my career in the blink of an eye.
Although you lasted longer than Most "Newbies"....
This is EXACTLY one of the Reasons I do NOT recommend taking out a LOAN for Trking School.
I also Recommend that you have your Finances In Order & DEBT FREE BEFORE going to Trking School.
TrkDrving is NOT the career to TRY to get OUT of Debt in.
[This message was edited by choclit snda on September 21, 2003 at 17:43.]

Answer:
In the upper part of your screen I would like to address your attention to the search button. Most everything you could ever think about wanting to know has probably been discussed many times before and you may be able to find it. Of course this does not mean that you, or anyone else, is not free to reopen a topic, ask a question or 400 if the fancy strikes you.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
Thanks for the posts guys some good info there. I am hopeing to go with a local outfit that runs for home depot but haven't ruled out regional or OTR as yet. Thanks Uturn for those posts thats more what I wanted. General info on lots of stuff and no I didnt use the seach option because to be honest, I am way too ignorant atm to even know what to look for. When I first saw the term "riding the jake" my first thought was of a unfortunate side effect of truck stop hot wings =P You have to admit thats what it sounds like. another day wiser and it sounds more like a brake system based on the potato in the tailpipe theory. I am trying to go into this well informed and without any smoky and the bandit fantasys in my head, but to be honest east bound and down does pop into my head at odd times =P Not sure I am going to like trucking it may not be for me, But if nothing else at least I tried it. Someone once said once said I haven't regretted what I did as much as what as what I didnt do. Anyway thanks again for all the info guys you will probually see more of me here soo... my apolgies in advance =P
Awolf

Answer:
The Many Forums of TruckNet(click here)
TruckNet's "Search" Feature(click here)

Answer:
AWolf, you are from Mascotte, FL? What school are you going to? I went to school several years ago in Orlando and I am familiar with the area.
Werner hires newbies out of Florida. Their closest terminal is in Lakeland. Lester Coggins has a terminal near Lake County and I believe they still train new drivers. FFE's terminal is not far away down in Polk County. There are many others around here, within 100 miles of Orlando.
I think you are smart not to sign a contract with a company to pay for schooling. You are getting started in a new career that you don't know much about, so it is better to keep your options open at this point.
If you are ever interested in local work, Orlando has some motorcoach bus driving jobs and the companies offer you free CDL training and don't require any contracts either.
At this point all I can say is go to school and pay attention. Learn all you can, but understand that it is only the beginning. You will learn much more in training, and the most when you are actually on your own. I would recommend getting a cell phone with a good 48-state calling plan before you go out to work. Also, once you get to school, you can start looking at some things that you will need for training such as a sleeping bag and soft-sided luggage and gym bag. Even visit a truck stop if you have time.
Get information together about trucking companies on the Internet and through recruiters or a job fair if your school has one. You should be pre-hired by a few companies before you finish school. A pre-hire is nothing more than a basic offer to attend orientation at a company, pass a physical and drug test, fill out paperwork, and go out with a trainer. It is not a binding offer of employment, and you might not like the company once you get there, so have a few back-ups.
I would say to choose a company that is a 48-state carrier in either dry van, refrigerated, or flatbed. This will give you the most experience that you can take just about anywhere after one year of safe driving. What I am saying is that it is sometimes harder to go from local first to OTR.
Good Luck.

Answer:
Well Cadillac, I live in Mascotte certainly wouldn't claim to be from here tho. Another dumb yankee who got lost looking for good fishing and ended up in Florida. Attending NBI in Lakeland at the moment there are actually located on the front right corner of the Werner lot They're moving in a couple weeeks to a bigger place They dont seem to be in any sort of partnership or anything. Just kinda cohabitate Pullen Bros is back there two understand theres quite a bit of cross traffic out in the training area. Today was first day spent most of it on learners permit videos. Of course had to know that one guy who knows everything talking the whole time. Have to take my test tomorrow am sure i missed a ton so its almost study time for me. AS for Lester Cogggins they are in Okahumpka FL about 15 mi to the north of me on 33. And Groveland to the east have a big warehouse complex alot of places run out of. Plenty of jobs around just gotta find the right one but think i want to get at least a bit of my class behind me before I start to look to hard.
awolf

Answer:
Good luck to you, it sounds like you are doing OK for yourself. Not much good fishing around here in my opinion. I understand, I am originally from Wisconsin.
NBI had that same school when I worked for Werner in Lakeland, but I really don't know much about the school.
It is never too early to start researching companies and who offers what. Not to mention that it can take anywhere from 1 - 4 weeks to hear back on your app. to see if you've been pre-hired or not. I don't know soon you have to get to work after you finish school, but many drivers need to start earning money to pay back loans as soon as they can.