Question:
How long do Newbies have to run the road before we can cross over. Don't get me wrong. I am ready to pay my dues, and I am always gonna look to you "Old Timers" for advice. So when you guys ever hear Coleman on the radio. Coffe is on me.

Answer:
If you are one of the smart ones you will always consider yourself a NEWBIE to some extent your entire driving career. The reason I say this is that you are always going to run into situations that are totally new no longer how long you have been at it.
Other than that, and say your skills progress at a "normal" rate in my book you will go from Newbie to Novice in a year, then on to Experienced in two years, and after about five years to Veteren Driver, and then after 15 you get to be an Old timer.
As far as employment goes you get out of the Newbie stage after about a year of solo experience (meaning once you complete your training with your first company) and by three years you can pretty much go anywhere you want assuming your driving and work history are good.
I have a name not a number. I am not cheap but I am resonable.
Answer:
It will take from 8 - 22 years depending on who you talk with.
There is no real time frame. It's how you perceive yourself. To me your no longer a newbie when your done with the probationary time at your new job. Insurance companies will look at you as experienced after 1-3 years depanding on the company.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Most carriers' insurance companies will ask for anywhere from 1 year to 3 years. The training companies are self-insured, and like to grind up the new drivers from the driving schools; helps keep the pay low. Look for it to take a year minimum, and probably 3-5 years for a shot at the decent carriers. If you have a good previous work record and driving record, sometimes you can bypass the OTR crap and go right to a respectable carrier.
No, I don't have anything better to do ....Jay Gould
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This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
I kind of figured that the carriers will run the newbies because it is cheaper for them, but I kind of see it this way. With me being new to it. I will take that years experience, and I am hoping that after that years time. A lot of doors will open after that. I got Wifey's blessing. So my first year out. All I ask for from a carrier is 2500 to 3000 miles a week.

Answer:
As I said, try going to some of the line haulers or whatever; there's no law saying newbies HAVE to go OTR. Some drivers who have posted here got local stuff right out of school, and hourly pay is far more often than not better; fairly common to average $1.50-$2.00 an hour doing the OTR ripoff, plus pay your own expenses out of that. A lot of new people think that's a lie, and listen to some SuperTrucker's BS, only to find they're out there for weeks on end and only clearing $300 a week or less. There is a REASON for 150% turnover rates, and it's not because of 'laziness' or 'bad attitudes'. Hope you have savings. LOL
No, I don't have anything better to do ....Jay Gould
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This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
Originally posted by uturn2001:
Other than that, and say your skills progress at a "normal" rate in my book you will go from Newbie to Novice in a year, then on to Experienced in two years, and after about five years to Veteren Driver, and then after 15 you get to be an Old timer.
After 15 years in this biz, you fall under the category of "what the hell is wrong with him that he's still doing this crap?"