Another newbie here!

[toolmaniam]

Howdy folks! Big Dave referred me to this forum because I'm getting into trucking. I'm supposed to start school Feb. 27th at Roadmasters in Columbus, Ohio. I'm not 100% yet but I believe I'll be going with Covenant. I'm a little apprehensive as well as excited about getting into trucking. I'm 41 and have been doing tool and die work all my life. This is a big 180 for me, but I've always been intrigued by trucking. Any pointers or "what the heck you thinkin" will be appreciated. :)

[Chiefwhatdahey]

Howdy folks! Big Dave referred me to this forum because I'm getting into trucking. I'm supposed to start school Feb. 27th at Roadmasters in Columbus, Ohio. I'm not 100% yet but I believe I'll be going with Covenant. I'm a little apprehensive as well as excited about getting into trucking. I'm 41 and have been doing tool and die work all my life. This is a big 180 for me, but I've always been intrigued by trucking. Any pointers or "what the heck you thinkin" will be appreciated. :)

Make sure before you write the check that you have a clean MVR and I mean pristine clean, there are a couple high profile wrongful death cases coming up and I have a feeling the companies that hire trainees are going to be looking a little closer at driving records

[Uturn2001]

Hi toolmaniam and welcome to TSU. I hope that you take some time to read through the many posts you will find here in the newbies section. I think you will find some good information.

I do not know anything about Roadmaster driving school, but with a little checking I did find out it is a 160 hour course which is the minimum to get hired at most companies.

I do not know what you are looking for in a company, but IMHO, I think that you can do better than Covenant, especially if you are planning on being a solo driver. Over the years I have had the chance to speak to many solo company drivers who were or had worked for that company, and the vast majority reported that they had trouble getting any real miles, that they often would spend days doing local work in whatever city they wound up in, would have to give up good runs to team trucks, etc. Covenant is a very team orientated company and the team trucks get the better runs.

If you have not done so already I suggest you check out Roehl, CFI, Grand Island Express, Willis Shaw Express. All of these companies have a better than average overall reputation when it comes to training companies.

As far as general pointers go the biggest one is to never be afraid of asking questions. In this business the nasty suprises usually happen because someone failed to ask a question.

The next biggest one is to relax and do not be overly critical about your skills. While an experienced driver will often make things look easy you need to keep in mind that it took that person hundreds of hours to get to that point. In the real world of trucking all that really matters is that there are no extra pieces laying around when you are done.

Please feel free to ask any question you might have. We are here to help and if you ever feel that something is too "silly" or "stupid" to post on the boards you are always free to send me a PM and I will keep things confidential and answer you as soon as possible.

[Big_Dave]

Also, sneak over to our Archices and peruse the posts in there. There's several threads there that deal with just getting started in trucking.

You can find our Archives here. (http://www.truckstopusa.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=40)

[tommy]

Let me say to a newbie..As you are starting out in trucking you are limited to who will hire you and what you will be paid, you are in training and being taught, at the expence of the company if/when you drive 100 miles out of the way, get lost, scrape the truck, and all kinds of things..You as a new comer in this field of work are limited to as what you can do..

Be safe as you can be, and just be calm and go with the flow, it will all work out and you will see that it is not near as hard as it may seem..

Covenant is not the best, NOR is it the worst company to start with.. You have to choose a company that will hire you as a newbie and will get you through the house more often, which ever company it is , you are not bound in Iron to retire from there..


Getting home more often is a MUST for a newbie as they are the ones that miss Home and just need to have some off time at the house, whickever company it may be it has to be one that will hire a new driver and be in that area..


Point here,,, Good Luck new driver and just go have fun.. ;)

[Capt._Chaos]

Toolman, I drive for Crete Carrier Corp. out of Lincoln NE and we have a terminal in Columbus, OH.

Crete will probably hire you if you graduate from the top 10% of the class in a PTDI-certified driving school.

www.cretecarrier.com

Roehl Transport would be another to consider. www.roehl.net

Millis Transfer is another. www.millistransfer.com

[Uturn2001]

Just for the record Millis will only take students who attend on of their training schools, but they are a decent company to start with.

[Trapper]

Millis does have a school in Ohio I think Columbus. You pay Millis $500.00 up front and if you stay with them for a year you owe them nothing. If you leave before the year is up I think you have to pay them $2000.00. You may want to look at them if you're paying Roadmasters more than that. From what I've heard of Roadmasters they're a fairly expensive school. Have you checked out any Tech Schools in your area?

[hywayjunky]

Marten will hire you, but you'll have to ride with a trainer for a month.
www.marten.com

Pretty trucks! :cloud9:

[Duffer]

Just graduated from roehl and would suggest you give them a try they are picky who they accept but have a great program for new drivers. Nice thing about they're school is once you,re out of school you have a job!!! Theyre starting pay for the first year is better than any other I could find they pay practicle miles and have big mileage and safety bonuses. Good Luck Duffer

[toolmaniam]

Hey everybody! Have decided to go with Arrow Trucking. I know I'll be hauling flatbed loads only. Does anyone have good or bad things to say about Arrow? Covenant was wanting me to be a team driver and that didn't appeal to me.

[banditocincoocho]

Hey everybody! Have decided to go with Arrow Trucking. I know I'll be hauling flatbed loads only. Does anyone have good or bad things to say about Arrow?

You'll find people have both good and bad to say about all companies!
Best to find one that is a match for you and go!
Good luck!!

[Big_Dave]

Hey everybody! Have decided to go with Arrow Trucking. I know I'll be hauling flatbed loads only. Does anyone have good or bad things to say about Arrow? Covenant was wanting me to be a team driver and that didn't appeal to me.
I was wondering what company you were gonna choose.

I don't know a thing about Arrow that can help ya. Sorry.

[K C Brau]

Those Arrow drivers I talk to seem happy there. Of course, be sure to ask if there will be any problems getting you home. Columbus area, shouldn't be.

The biggest rule, "IF YOU DON'T KNOW==== ASK! IF YOU AREN'T SURE===== ASK! THE ONLY STUPID QUESTION IS THE ONE YOU DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER FOR!"


best of luck to you.

[truckermanitoba]

ask yourself two questions with every load.one will what i have move in any direction.if your answer is yes fix it so the answer is no.two how high,long or wide is what i am hauling, check the route you taking for delivery to make sure no low bridges.The pay will come,my first job i got .28 cents amile.the job i have now pays .38 benifits so was a good move to get my licience