Newbie with a question

[RickC]

Hi ya'll,
I have been researching a new career as an OTR driver. I've talked to a few schools and have read a lot on line about what is involved in getting a CDL A.
The thought just occurred to me that it would extremely beneficial if I could get a "bird's eye view" of a day in the life of a driver. I would love spend a few days with an experienced driver to really get an idea of what life would be like on the road.
If anyone would be up for that, or knows someone who would be, I'd be grateful to hear from you.
I live in south Florida and am available most any time.
Many thanks in advance ya'll
Rick

 

[2lilboots]

GO into healthcare.................lol

 

[RickG]

Hi ya'll,
I have been researching a new career as an OTR driver. I've talked to a few schools and have read a lot on line about what is involved in getting a CDL A.
The thought just occurred to me that it would extremely beneficial if I could get a "bird's eye view" of a day in the life of a driver. I would love spend a few days with an experienced driver to really get an idea of what life would be like on the road.
If anyone would be up for that, or knows someone who would be, I'd be grateful to hear from you.
I live in south Florida and am available most any time.
Many thanks in advance ya'll
Rick

You'll have a hard time finding anyone to go along with that due to insurance and liability issues .

 

[RickC]

Is it just me or is anyone else asking themselves " what the hell are you talking about"?
Seems to me you haven't a clue 2 lilboots

 

[RickC]

Didn't consider that, thanks for the response RickG

 

[snowflake]

lol Boots ment that trucking is a tough game right now and there are soooo many positions avaliable in the healthcare field.........we all know truck its just due to the ecomimics of it right now some have had to go to other fields to find work.......:sailor:I am sure you can find enough drivers though to give you a good perspective of what you are looking into.........

 

[2lilboots]

Is it just me or is anyone else asking themselves " what the hell are you talking about"?
Seems to me you haven't a clue 2 lilboots

How many trucking companies are hiring drivers out of FL right now? How many ppl want a person they don't know riding along in their truck with them? I am glad you are researching truckdriving, but by all means research many careers so that you will at least have something else to fall back on especially with the way things are right now!

 

[RickC]

Ok ok so it 's a bad idea
Thanks for your response snowflake

 

[RickG]

Yup , bad idea . Freight has been steadily declining for the past year and is at its lowest rate in 7 years . Werner is cutting its fleet by 4% and J.B. Hunt is running 900 less trucks than they were this time last year . Carriers are only hiring to replace drivers that quit because of low miles and low pay .

 

[RickC]

Well, I meant the idea about riding with someone to get a better feel for the life of an OTR trucker, was bad. I am still gonna get my CDL and "go for it".

 

[shadox65]

Well, I meant the idea about riding with someone to get a better feel for the life of an OTR trucker, was bad. I am still gonna get my CDL and "go for it".

It sounds like you already have your mind made up regarding this issue. I am not sure why you asked the question in the first place.

You have been told that now is not a good time to go into trucking by some very experienced people......i.e. rickg...2lilboots...etc... If you choose not to listen, that is your prerogative, and I wish you luck as you will need it in this down economy.

 

[panhandleswife]

How many trucking companies are hiring drivers out of FL right now?


you got that right girl if anything happen to pat and the company he is with he have a very very hard time finding another company because we live in FL

 

[ridermark]

Rick c Check out the thread another idiot newbie, and read what has been written by us folks that have been there. If that doesn't help, then good luck, where ever you go to, cuz they have a BIG screwdriver, and will turn it very much until the point comes out of your belly button. Don't even think about a home life. You'll be gone all the time. Sometimes longer than you want...................

 

[RickC]

hmmmmmm so i'm an "idiot newbie"? hahaha
oh well it's good information i'm getting here.
i guess if i was a veteran driver i wouldn't want to encourage a newbie either, just would mean more competition in the industry.
i hope that when i get my CDL and job that i'll just go about my business and not whine and complain so much about my life on the road.

 

[lunachic]

live your life on the road and that you will do.....
don't except to make a living what ever you own thats not paid for give it back.
hope you make enough to eat out there.
Tell ya what do you have money?
right now we are just running intra.....and switching back and fourth from the skateboard to the reefer...
I'll talk to him, you wont drive our truck. but he can use someone to tarp it's F'en hot out and those bitch's r heavy.
When he pulls the reefer he will teach you about count weight all that good b.s. how you want it loaded. You can do that. you can unload the trailer for him/break the load down.
If you get ur permit maybe he will teach you how to drive....What will you pay?
Hey we are broke could use some income................

 

[Larry]

live your life on the road and that you will do.....
don't except to make a living what ever you own thats not paid for give it back.
hope you make enough to eat out there.
Tell ya what do you have money?
right now we are just running intra.....and switching back and fourth from the skateboard to the reefer...
I'll talk to him, you wont drive our truck. but he can use someone to tarp it's F'en hot out and those bitch's r heavy.
When he pulls the reefer he will teach you about count weight all that good b.s. how you want it loaded. You can do that. you can unload the trailer for him/break the load down.
If you get ur permit maybe he will teach you how to drive....What will you pay?
Hey we are broke could use some income................

One truck carrier with mega fleet mentality.

 

[shadox65]

hmmmmmm so i'm an "idiot newbie"? hahaha
oh well it's good information i'm getting here.
i guess if i was a veteran driver i wouldn't want to encourage a newbie either, just would mean more competition in the industry.
i hope that when i get my CDL and job that i'll just go about my business and not whine and complain so much about my life on the road.

One of my favorite quotes is from Mark Twain:

" I left home when I was 14 because my father was a fool. I returned home when I was 16 and was amazed how much the old man learned in 2 years" :hooked:

 

[Cerberus]

hmmmmmm so i'm an "idiot newbie"? hahaha
oh well it's good information i'm getting here.
i guess if i was a veteran driver i wouldn't want to encourage a newbie either, just would mean more competition in the industry.
i hope that when i get my CDL and job that i'll just go about my business and not whine and complain so much about my life on the road.

Two things you have to do first, move out of south florida, without years exp there, you'll never get a CDL driving job . Second lose your better than thou attitude. If you have that bad of an attitude towards people trying to give you advice then you will NEVER make it driving a truck.

One of my favorite quotes is from Mark Twain:

" I left home when I was 14 because my father was a fool. I returned home when I was 16 and was amazed how much the old man learned in 2 years" :hooked:

Thats great, i like that.

 

[RickG]

It cracks me up when wannabes say " When I get a CDL and job" . Freight keeps dropping , carriers keep parking trucks and laying off drivers . Schools keep turning out wannabes that can't do math . Yes a certain percentage will get called to orientation . Carriers need fresh meat to replace newbies that abandoned trucks . Some will be rejected at orientation . Some will be rejected by trainers . Some will actually get to run 1500 miles a week for $.26 a mile .
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[snowflake]

It cracks me up when wannabes say " When I get a CDL and job" . Freight keeps dropping , carriers keep parking trucks and laying off drivers . Schools keep turning out wannabes that can't do math . Yes a certain percentage will get called to orientation . Carriers need fresh meat to replace newbies that abandoned trucks . Some will be rejected at orientation . Some will be rejected by trainers . Some will actually get to run 1500 miles a week for $.26 a mile .
Posted via Mobile Device

yea but what the heck do we know who have been in this buss since ohhh let me se now my BC from 1956 says my fathers occupation is truckdriver hmmmmmmm guess the T-600 parked in my driveway means nothing either....they can not see that they are nothing more than slave labor and they are chewed up and spit out cause there are 50 more innocent beings waiting in line to take their shot. and oh a big BTY is this BEFORE this busines went to H in a handbasket I have helped people become drivers and get hired on and been a big encourager...... but what do I know......I remember a line from a song from a few years back........"and another one bites the dust"..........will this turn around yes I think it will but not this year and next year may be a bit iffy.......ask more questions and stop thinking you will be the lone survivor..........and what on earth is wrong with driving a dump truck people it is good experience and gets your in a better posistion for a better company that won't eat you alive.