Is this asking too much?

[Foxoreo]

Is something like this asking too much from a company? My situation is very frustrating when it comes to trying to get into trucking. Each requirement reduces the options by a large amount. I don't even think that any company out there fits what I need.

I need a company that has it's own school, that I don't have to pay for up front, apply for a loan that they do not cosign for, or pay an obscene amount out of pocket to go to their school. And that the school isn't excessively long.
I need a company that doesn't have weight limits on the pet that I can bring in the truck, which also means that they have to allow pets. Also, one that doesn't require me to pay an obscene amount of money to be able to have my dog in the truck with me.
I need a company who's training period is fairly short, or non-existant (like Watkins & Shepard).
I need a company that will allow me to take my dog in the truck with me as soon as the training period is over with.

That last one is what hurts W&S for me. I was told that they require me to go 90 days before I could bring my dog in the truck with me, stating that it will reduce the distractions that I have to deal with. I find that this is actually the opposite for me, as I am constantly distracted at my present workplace because my dog is staying at home, and I am away. I am constantly wondering if she is getting in trouble, if she ok, etc.

So, does this basically mean that I am screwed at trying to get into trucking? I am thinking that it does. As it seems to me, I have to wait until she is dead (at least a decade from now, as she is still a puppy) before I could start this.

[wepwawet]

Swift?



all tho just how BIG is the dog? You do realize that the truck is not a 3 story house.

[chuck3507]

I am kind of concerned that you are looking for an almost "non existant" training period or a very short one. I don't mean to scold you but you seem to love your dog and you wouldn't want to get in an accident, and her not have you, because you were killed in the accident or you are sitting in jail because you killed someone else. Yes it can be and is that serious.

[wepwawet]

Sorry to disagree with "training periods" as a concern only cause most of these "training periods" are cheap teams for a company rather then real training.



****** NOTE I said MOST not all******************

[chuck3507]

I agree alot of training periods are just cheap teams. I just wanted to point out that it semed like he was wanting to avoid a traing period, but heck if I could have I think I would have wanted to skip it also, it is only afterward that you can truely see how important it is.

[wepwawet]

^^^

Very true

[chuck3507]

As a matter of fact no training period can be long enough to prepare you for everything. Who could afford a year in traing to be prepared for all seasons and climates?

[inmate1577]

I'm sure the dog will be much happier cramped up in a truck for hours on end.
Put it to sleep. :twisted:

[Twilight Flyer]

To answer your original question...yes, it is too much for a trainee to ask. You have no experience, hence you have no marketable skills in the industry and nothing to bargain with.

The companies that allow pets are in the minority and only a few of those do not have restrictions on size or type. Trying to find one of those that meets your training requests is going to be pretty much impossible.

If your dog means that much to you, find another career path. Blunt or not, you're not ready to be a driver with those types of requests right out of the gate.

[LostProphet]

To answer your original question...yes, it is too much for a trainee to ask. You have no experience, hence you have no marketable skills in the industry and nothing to bargain with.

The companies that allow pets are in the minority and only a few of those do not have restrictions on size or type. Trying to find one of those that meets your training requests is going to be pretty much impossible.

If your dog means that much to you, find another career path. Blunt or not, you're not ready to be a driver with those types of requests right out of the gate.

x a million! People with a sense of entitlement amaze me sometimes.

[chuck3507]

What do yall think would be reasonale demands for someone finally getting a couple of years under his belt?

[Twilight Flyer]

When you have a couple years under your belt, you'll have a lot more options to choose from. At that point, you can pick whatever company closely matches your own requirements.

As far as making requests, it never hurts to ask. But usually, pet policies (or any policy for that matter) are engraved in stone and there's generally little room to manuevar.

[GMAN]

If you find it that difficult to be away from your dog perhaps you should consider another profession. Or you could go to work for a company, leave the dog at home, save your money, buy a truck and do what you wish. You have no experience and yet know about distractions in a commercial vehicle. Driving a truck requires you to constantly be aware of your surroundings. Make a wrong move and someone can die. I have 7 mirrors on my trucks. These require constant monitoring along with watching the road ahead and to each side. There are blind spots on trucks. Cars can get into those spots and sit there. If you are not watching they could easily get by you. If your pet distracts you at the wrong moment a car could slip into one of those spots and as you move to the right you either run them off the road or run over the top of the car. At this point, you don't really know what will distract you. Driving a truck isn't complicated, but does require your undivided attention.

[Jimbpard]

I'm sure the dog will be much happier cramped up in a truck for hours on end.
Put it to sleep. :twisted:

for once, i agree with you inmate....You cant be serious...Waiting 10 years to start a new career because of a dog??? Nuts!!

[GoldiesPlating]

BEFORE I actually started driving, 6 weeks training seemd CRAZY. My first week solo flatbedding I ALMOST wished it was 12 weeks training! I also ALMOST didn't work for TMC because of their no pet policy. My dog was my best friend. Two days in, while lying in my bunk, I realized that this was no place for my buddy. My Pete 379 was cramped (for a dog) and I had all I could handle just worrying about trip planning, load securement, customer appointments, truck stops, fuel stops, getting the truck washed, blind side backing into a spot at 3AM after cruising the lot of a 500 truck truck stop for an hour looking for a spot and LOTS more.
Do yourself a BIG favor and start out SOLO without your dog. You really won't have the time (or ability) to give him enough (if ANY) attention anyway. After a couple of weeks reevaluate your wishes. I can almost guarantee that you will feel you will be a better driver without him.

Yes you WILL feel TERRIBLE every time you have to leave home after your weekend off but it gets easier. I did. Then after your skills and abilities are better, you can decide if your buddy belongs with you or not.