New CDL A holder ready to get the ball rollin’
Posted by Stonez661@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 16 comments
I live in LA County, CA and probably have a combined 60 hrs of street time under my belt from the school I trained at. No restrictions, OTR certified.
Experienced truckers, any advice to help me and other new “graduates” get started?
chocolate_asshole@reddit
first year just take the runs and shut up, focus on not hittin stuff and learning your clock, then chase better companies later. even starting out is hard now
InternationalLink644@reddit
Yeah everything is
Stonez661@reddit (OP)
I respect the hell out of that, thank’s for the tip!
SanPaladin07@reddit
My company is very good to start at. Try to get somewhere where they train you even more. Believe you’ll need it
rig53official@reddit
First 6 months feel like you're holding your breath through every blind side back. Most of the senior guys in your shop felt the same starting out, they just don't say it out loud. It quiets down. Don't let anyone rush you into a maneuver before you've walked it. 💪
Exciting-Car-3516@reddit
Agree take your time but there should never be a blind backing, must find other options
c0caine_cinderella@reddit
OTR certified lol
Stonez661@reddit (OP)
Yeah, yeah. Rookie slip up. I was under the impression OTR certified meant I’m not restricted to only my own state, and I can drive anywhere in the country. Must have been thinking of somethin else lol.
ConsciousAwareness69@reddit
You’re either gonna have to go to a mega carrier or an AFP and both suck. I recommend going to a mega for flatbed training and then over time you can get into step deck and heavy haul which pays a lot.
Stonez661@reddit (OP)
I appreciate the advice. I reached out to some big ones and decided, with the help of my school, to go with Knight Transportation. It was either Knight or Sneider. However, Knight seems much more doable for me in my current situation.
Xx_Frosty@reddit
Depending who youre with, and exp required, get your xp and transition to a dedicated account that's either regional or local. Put in your months/years there. Then look for what you want and leave after securing your next job. Dont burn bridges. Keep your new employer up to date on the 2 week. If a company withdraws an offer because you wanna give a 2 week notice, thats not a company you wanna work for.
Do your pretrips. Everyday before you start driving. Keep every vehicle and personal document updated in case of when (not if) you get pulled over by DOT.
Scale your truck after every load at the nearest CAT scale. Theres an app that helps you locate them. Know weight exemptions. If youre overweight, drive back to the shipper and tell them youre overweight and provide the scale ticket. Keep up to date on each state's tandem requirements, too. Its one thing to be overweight by tens of pounds. Whatever. Youre gonna burn a lot in fuel and youll be back in compliance anyway.
When maneuvering, always GOAL to be on the safe side. Fuck everyone else waiting/watching. Keep calm. If youre struggling, try to reset your position and try again. Alternatively, ask for help from the yard spotter/another driver.
If you can, try to exercise. Otherwise all the junk food at those truck stops are gonna eat you alive. Eventually.
Stonez661@reddit (OP)
God tier advice brotha. I appreciate your time to put me on game. Godspeed
bizzywhipped@reddit
Prepare your mindset to embrace the suck in your first year things get better in second year, 2nd job.
Stonez661@reddit (OP)
Ohhhhhh yeah. That’s the plan as of this koment.
2ugur12@reddit
Congrats, you’re now officially qualified to back into a dock while seven people watch and one of them is actively eating chips. Just take it slow and ignore the honks.
Stonez661@reddit (OP)
Haha, can’t wait! I appreciate the advice