Starting Over
I want to start by saying I went to a small trucking school to get my CDL where they didn’t teach me to drive but showed me how to get my CDL. Then I started working for a company that pushed miles but really wasn’t big on training. I’ve been driving about a year and a half. I’m nowhere near as good as I should be. I would like to start over with a company devoted to training. I have a few issues on my DAC report. Any suggestions?
DAC is still around?
If you just want to be otr, and don't mind being on the road 4 to 6 weeks at a time, Prime is a good place to start.
If you want a good job, and to be home, look at abfjobs.com to see if there's a opening for a P&D driver in your area. The pay and benefits are much better than otr.
Halvor lines out of superior Wisconsin. Great place to learn.
Maverick
ROEHL they are real big on safety and training and they pay decent
I just got my CDL B w/ passenger endorsement learmer's, and where I'm still going is excellent, and the driver's have a driving log while training and they are sent to get their license when the trainers know they are ready. Check out a few companies n tell them you feel you need more training, I believe that a company will accomodate you based on your need. After all all companies want you to be trained thorougly
Stay away from any and all lease purchase agreements. Not to say some don’t work, cause they do, but overall, they don’t. It’s setup to sound like you’re the one coming out on top, in the end tho, they are. They always will. Becoming an O/O isn’t all good either, but not all bad. It just depends on you really. What can you handle, what are you willing to sacrifice to make it work. I’m also prior military and former oilfield. In my honest opinion, the best move is to become an independent contractor. You get the freedom of being an O/O without the responsibility and hassles. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of places that offer it. Tbh, it’s goong to be the smaller company’s that primarily do.
This depends on the issues. Shop yourself around and see if you’re hireable at other carriers first. If they point out specific things ask them how to make yourself more hireable
A good thing is to find a small company like less than 20 trucks to be more personable.. If they have a yard and a person that can go over some fine Maneuvers with you to see how the truck moves when turned this or that.. Practicing blind side backing with the power mirror in a wide open yard can help when you need to in a dark trucks top.
Some backing and other situations like Parallel parking training can help too... I have 25 yrs. Exp and sometimes i learn a new move now and then..
First off are you married? Have kids? If you are married how does your wife feel about this?
If you're not married and dont have any obligations, you might try CR England out of Salt Lake City or Swift Transportation based out of Phoenix. If you decide you want to be your own boss CR England has a pretty good system set up for you to purchase. Just be careful. You might even consider getting your own rig from the outside world. Private party trucks could be an option also. When you go into the truck stops pay attention to those Truck Paper boxes. Remember, if you're going to run OTR you'll need to get your authority or use the authority of the firm you pull for. GOOD LUCK!