Considering Trucking! Can anyone advise me?

[ThinkingAboutTrucking]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a 38-year-old woman. Never been married, don't have kids or a boyfriend. Due to a lack of jobs here in town that have to do with my particular background, I'm seriously considering going into trucking.

I have a few questions though.

1. Anyone work for, or have been trained by Hiner Transport, Huntington Indiana? I'm going to be talking to them in April about opportunities they have.

2. Any truckers out there who are single and have pets at home? I think I have a reliable neighbor who can pop in and take care of my dog, but I'd like to know what arrangements you have with at-home pets.

3. If a company lists weekends off in their newspaper ads, how reliable is that?

4. What companies allow you to take your pets with you? I would probably go into trucking this summer if I could find a company that would train me and allow my dog to come with me, after six months of OTR experience or whatever.

5. How many of you have read "Driver" by Phillip Wilson? I'm about halfway through it, and it makes trucking sound like a pretty cool career choice.

6. Are trucking jobs readily available in Canada, and if so, if I trained down here, will my Class A CDL transfer up there? My ultimate goal is to relocate to Toronto someday, and the $$$ I earn from trucking will be a huge step in making that dream come true.

7. How dangerous is trucking for solo women drivers?

8. If I go with a company that pays for my training, and I decide not to do it, will they demand I pay them right away, or can I do a payment plan?


Any help anyone out there can give me would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance!!!

[littleman2]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a 38-year-old woman. Never been married, don't have kids or a boyfriend. Due to a lack of jobs here in town that have to do with my particular background, I'm seriously considering going into trucking.

I have a few questions though.

1. Anyone work for, or have been trained by Hiner Transport, Huntington Indiana? I'm going to be talking to them in April about opportunities they have.

2. Any truckers out there who are single and have pets at home? I think I have a reliable neighbor who can pop in and take care of my dog, but I'd like to know what arrangements you have with at-home pets.

3. If a company lists weekends off in their newspaper ads, how reliable is that?

4. What companies allow you to take your pets with you? I would probably go into trucking this summer if I could find a company that would train me and allow my dog to come with me, after six months of OTR experience or whatever.

5. How many of you have read "Driver" by Phillip Wilson? I'm about halfway through it, and it makes trucking sound like a pretty cool career choice.

6. Are trucking jobs readily available in Canada, and if so, if I trained down here, will my Class A CDL transfer up there? My ultimate goal is to relocate to Toronto someday, and the $$$ I earn from trucking will be a huge step in making that dream come true.

7. How dangerous is trucking for solo women drivers?

8. If I go with a company that pays for my training, and I decide not to do it, will they demand I pay them right away, or can I do a payment plan?


Any help anyone out there can give me would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance!!!

I will try and do the best I can on number 8 they mainly demand payment now then send your butt to collections and charge you 27 percent interest on it. even if you quit the day befor your indentured serevitude is up.
7. Probly no more then a mans safety. I do understabd the fear some women have. But for the most part I have knowen a lot single women trucks and they have had no problems.

thats the best I can do hope all works out for you.

[Exquisite]

1. Anyone work for, or have been trained by Hiner Transport, Huntington Indiana? I'm going to be talking to them in April about opportunities they have.

No, I have not but there are a good list of companies that hire right out of driving school. I started out with Covenant, they sucked hard, disorganized, never got me home, lied constantly, my trainer had 6 months driving experience and I thought I would never live thru the training period (3 weeks/shortest of any company), I went with them in the beginner cause I didnt have access to a board like this and I just didn't know any better, thier recruiting was good and they paid the best out the gate. I was with them almost 8mos and then switched to Werner Enterprises, ran team with them and finished learning to drive and they always came thru with hometime, limited as it was, but at least no out and lies. The pay was good too and they gave me a brand new truck of my choice.

Werner has an excellent training program, they take very good care of thier equipment and have state of the art training center, including one of the few simulators.

2. Any truckers out there who are single and have pets at home? I think I have a reliable neighbor who can pop in and take care of my dog, but I'd like to know what arrangements you have with at-home pets.

Most companies require a deposit but you see drivers with dogs, cats, ferrets, parots, hehe snakes, etc. Lots of women solo and have thier dogs with them.

3. If a company lists weekends off in their newspaper ads, how reliable is that?

Kinda depends on the company, the best way to find this out is prolly to ask questions of drivers of a specific company. You can post here and ask or go to a major truck stop and try and talk to some of the company drivers.

4. What companies allow you to take your pets with you? I would probably go into trucking this summer if I could find a company that would train me and allow my dog to come with me, after six months of OTR experience or whatever.

See my answer to number 2. Most companies won't allow it during your training period but after that, its your truck, with deposit, its common. Ask your recruiter and make sure they know this is a "must" for you.

5. How many of you have read "Driver" by Phillip Wilson? I'm about halfway through it, and it makes trucking sound like a pretty cool career choice.

I have not read it but I was a real estate agent, I owned a computer/web server company, I was a engereering draftsman, a roofer and mother of six. And I love being a truck driver, its not all wine and roses, its hard work and is challanging mentally and physically but I make very good money, I did ok as a company driver and then when I had learned the ropes I bought my own truck.

6. Are trucking jobs readily available in Canada, and if so, if I trained down here, will my Class A CDL transfer up there? My ultimate goal is to relocate to Toronto someday, and the $$$ I earn from trucking will be a huge step in making that dream come true.

Not real sure about this, I do know that Werner services Canada and so do alot of other companies, so I would say yes.

7. How dangerous is trucking for solo women drivers?

Its as dangerous as it is to live alone, you have to always be aware of your surroundings, be careful and do not put yourself in a position to be a victim but I find it as safe as everyday life.

8. If I go with a company that pays for my training, and I decide not to do it, will they demand I pay them right away, or can I do a payment plan?

They will want to get paid immediately, with major interest. I found it cheaper to pay for a accredited driving school and I put it on my credit card, this way no company owns me, they also have payment plans. Just make sure the driving school you pick is accredited.

I went to driving school, 2 weeks classroom, 2 weeks behind the wheel and got my CDL and then got hired. Major companies will give you a letter of hire while you are in school.

Just do your homework, like you are here, ask alot of questions, cause I didn't have anyone to ask and it was tough my first year. But I survived and I am loving the life!

[jande]

Hi wanna-be trucker, I am one too....

Very odd that I have read your message.... I am 38 years old as well and just last Monday was up at Hiner for a sit with a recruiter! I was with him for about a half an hour getting his horse and pony show. I walked away with quite a bit of info in hand and got to sit with one of the trainers for a bit at lunch drilling him with questions. The recruiter said that when it came to the OTR training portion, they would put me with one of the (few) women trainers that they have. A buddie of mine is in his second week of training with them and says it is OK so far. I talk to him about twice a week and each time he has had nothing but good stuff to talk about. So far, he has been home when they said he would be. You can't really ask for more than that I suppose! I have been studying up for the required CDL course before you are to start your training. The recruiter said that you get 'behind the wheel time' shifting on your first day of training that way.... If I were you, I would go to them and have a sit down.... I was really excited walking away from there and just have to figure out the timing with my current job before I move forward with this! Keep us posted and good luck!

J.

6. Are trucking jobs readily available in Canada, and if so, if I trained down here, will my Class A CDL transfer up there? My ultimate goal is to relocate to Toronto someday, and the $$$ I earn from trucking will be a huge step in making that dream come true.

No, as far as I know you cannot transfer a USA CDL to Canada. Canada has there own set of rules and different classifications on the commercial drivers license.

Yea you'd have to re-test, which shouldn't be a big deal.

[ThinkingAboutTrucking]

Thanks everyone, for responding. Jande, I plan to talk to Hiner in April. I called them several weeks ago, and told them I'd like to talk to them; that I'd have some time then to do it.

I'm thinking paying my own way would be better, according to what I've read so far. The lure of having the company pay for my training is tempting, but I worry if something happens and I have to stop my training for an emergency or whatever.

Right now, I'm doing research, trying to figure out what challenges and stuff I'll have to face. The big thing is my dog. If I can get with a company that will let me take her after an initial period of driving, that would be perfect. I could be out on the road for weeks and I wouldn't care. I'm looking at trucking to make some of my dreams come true. I love to drive and can deal with being alone. I know there's more to it than that, but I'm sick of not being able to find a "normal" 9 to 5 job that offers health insurance that pays decently. As it is, I'm working three part-time jobs, and my boss at my daytime job is driving me nuts. Same old story, I guess.

And I will let you know how it goes with Hiner in April (I'll be meeting with them the last week of the month.)

Again, thanks everyone!!!

[ThinkingAboutTrucking]

Well, I had my sit down with Hiner. If I didn't have my dog, I would go with them, as they seemed very professional and safety-conscious.

However, they are not pet-friendly, and that's what I'm looking for in a company.

I will continue to do my research, however. I'm really getting antsy about finding a new career, and hope to find a company soon.

[4roses]

hello ThinkingAboutTrucking .... I don't know anything about the company your asking about, but I'll give it my best shot on a couple of other ones ..

on the subject of a pet on the truck ... there's several company's that permit a pet ... if you plan on driving solo a pet would be good company .. as well as a pet will let you know when someone is close to your truck .. Have you looked in this area to check out the company's that permit pets .. For ClassADrivers.com Companies
http://www.classadrivers.com/index.p...ting&ListAll=1

I will continue to do my research, however. I'm really getting antsy about finding a new career, and hope to find a company soon.

...

may i ask you ... do you have family members or friends that drive for a living .. ? .... guess the reason i'm asking is because .... i realize you need to change careers, but do you have a good understanding of what life is like on the road ? ... trucking is a hard job, but it's a wonderful job for the right person.

also as your checking out the company's ... there are some company's that will pay reimbursement toward the money You paid for school while your driving for them ... it may only be an extra $100 a month but it adds up ... especially if your making a payment on a credit card or loan. some company's have sign on bonus too ... which help !

I'm thinking paying my own way would be better, according to what I've read so far. The lure of having the company pay for my training is tempting, but I worry if something happens and I have to stop my training for an emergency or whatever.

..

paying your way through school ... is the best way to do it if at all possible ... because you'll not really know what a company will be like until you start to work for them ... and the last thing a person wants is to be stuck .. with any company. true you want longevity with a company ... but try not to be legally bond to any company.


as for the safety of a female driver running solo ... Exqursite said it very good .

Its as dangerous as it is to live alone, you have to always be aware of your surroundings, be careful and do not put yourself in a position to be a victim but I find it as safe as everyday life.

...

while i was driving solo ... i never had any problems ... safety first and foremost.

3. If a company lists weekends off in their newspaper ads, how reliable is that?

if a company tells you they will have you home on the weekend ... make certain you get it in writing before your hired on.

good luck and keep asking questions .. we'll do our best to help you find the answers.

4roses

[spiritualquest]

2. Any truckers out there who are single and have pets at home? I think I have a reliable neighbor who can pop in and take care of my dog, but I'd like to know what arrangements you have with at-home pets.

CRST lets you have pets

3. If a company lists weekends off in their newspaper ads, how reliable is that?

You want in the door and you need to write off the next six months...getting in and being taken care of properly should be your main goal...forget about everything else. The first six months are not about what the company can do for you it's about what you can do for the company...just always keep you in mind with every decision...a DOT. rollover and jackknife are easier than you think..and if you are running tired..eventually your luck will run out and you difinitely do not want this your first six months.

my suggestion is that you find someone with experience that you can live with for at least six months and who is willing to train you and get into CRST on their spouse program (you do not need to be married to bring your trainer in with you) your first three weeks are the most important and if you get a trainer that is inexperienced and pushes you too hard it could cost you alot of money so do not take the chance find your own.

My suggestion for this is actually pumpkindriver.com most people after a year with schneider are running out the door and you can find someone decent that already knows how to put up with more than crap than you would ever want and in the Spouse program they can start day#1 as a lead driver/trainer at CRST.

4. What companies allow you to take your pets with you? I would probably go into trucking this summer if I could find a company that would train me and allow my dog to come with me, after six months of OTR experience or whatever.

CRST after the first month

5. How many of you have read "Driver" by Phillip Wilson? I'm about halfway through it, and it makes trucking sound like a pretty cool career choice.

I love driving it is an awesome job. It's not that difficult and most of the people in the industry are really good people. You get to see the country and expereince life like you never imagined. But I have already had two experiences that if I had been by myself would have scared me to death. One was a guy trying to steal my load locks at the South Carolina welcome center off 81 and the other was a probable hijacking that we diverted by taking off immediately at the first sign of danger off a road named two gun out west...team driving has a ton of advantages for women and I highly recommend it.

6. Are trucking jobs readily available in Canada, and if so, if I trained down here, will my Class A CDL transfer up there? My ultimate goal is to relocate to Toronto someday, and the $$$ I earn from trucking will be a huge step in making that dream come true.

7. How dangerous is trucking for solo women drivers?

You are extremely vulnerable in this industry and if somebody wants to disable you all they have to do is pull your airline it takes about 3 seconds. I would never just pull off the road if I was by myself. Truck stops can be scary but they are always the safest bet. (They fill up quickly) Even the rest areas can be dangerous...


8. If I go with a company that pays for my training, and I decide not to do it, will they demand I pay them right away, or can I do a payment plan?

Go to a school like National training. Company Traing puts you at the mercy of that Company.

I really do believe whole heartedly that CRST is the best company in the industry to start with. They only require a siix month contract and I have had nothing but positive experiences everytime I deal with them.. However I am very reasonable in my expectations and money is not my major goal being safe is although the money is quite ok. The actual knowledge that you work for a good company that doesn't micomanage is better. They are one of the few longhaul frieght companies left. No matter what happens I know I made the right decision when I signed on with these guys six months ago.

After six months to a year you can start looking at other options like what the company is going to do for you. Personally I am quite happy with what CRST does for me.

[ThinkingAboutTrucking]

Hi Spiritualquest and for4roses,

Thanks for posting and answering some of my questions.

No, I don't have any family or friends who are truckers. I have a friend whose father was a trucker for 40 years and loved it. He didn't want to quit, but he had to.

And I've never spoken to him, so I don't have any close accounts as to what life is like on the road.

However...

I don't really have much of a personal life here. I like being alone, and I consider myself a responsible person. I've heard people say trucking is a hard job, but I'm not exactly what they mean by that. Hard in a responsible way? Hard in a physical way? Hard in the sense you are away from home?

I'm just concerned about my dog, is all. If I can take her with me, I know I'd be okay.

And thanks for the CRST tip!!! I will have to check them out.

Thanks again!!!

[Martin.Lindquist]

Hard Job.....Let me think....Your alone alot....your away from family and friends. Yes, you may have to load and unload at times, but that doesn't take much effort!

The hard part for most people is being away from home...if that doesn't bother you than it is not hard!

Trucking gives you the freedom to see the country, and you are your own boss, within reason! Truckers are people that don't do well in office settings!

As with any other job...it is as hard as YOU make it!

Have Fun!

[ThinkingAboutTrucking]

Hmmm....being away from home a lot. Well, since I'm not too crazy about my home right now, I don't think that would be a problem. I mean, I'm happy I have a home, but there have been some issues with it (I co-own it with my brother and I will never, EVER again "co-own" anything with anybody.)

I talked to one of my neighbors last night, and said I was thinking about going into trucking and he said I was crazy to think that. Maybe I am, but another neighbor says I won't know until I try it as to whether I like it.

And as for friends and family...my parents are dead, I don't get along with my brother, and I see my friends once every 2-3 weeks anyway, and it's not like I communicate with them on a daily basis.

And as for office settings...I can tolerate them but I'm a "leave me alone to do my job" sorta gal. Office politics and gossip aren't what I live for...which makes me think that I have a "trucking personality" if there is such a thing.

I'm thinking my next step is to get some money set aside for trucking school, since the postings on this board say that is the best way to go. I'm trying to think rationally about this and not jump into anything too soon. I'm looking for a better life, in terms of more money, some health insurance and the prospect of having a job that won't be shipped off to India.

Thanks again, everyone, for your advice!!!

[4roses]

if you follow YOUR dream and don't listen to your neighbor that only wanted to discourage you ... and you work hard to learn the profession ... you'll do fine. from the way you described yourself ..

And as for office settings...I can tolerate them but I'm a "leave me alone to do my job" sorta gal. Office politics and gossip aren't what I live for...which makes me think that I have a "trucking personality" if there is such a thing.

...

you'll be right at home on the road ... :wink:

[Smokin Joe]

Well I tried OTR trucking but I didnt like the weekends 35 hours, not what I was used to and since I was located east of the Mississippi I got"The Luck Of The Draw" they said so I had alot of New York, and Jersey runs.
But it is lonely out there, the traffic and some drivers tactics can make you tighten your butt cheeks sometimes. Lack of parking is a big pain, then you got the hours of service, and hopeing to get close to home when your time runs out not in a rest area or off ramp 50 miles from a town hotter n heck with no idle clause with your company.
It is nice to see the country and be your own boss somewhat.
I now work for a company that delivers within a 300 mile radius of Cincinnatti, OH and am home nightly, with real weekends and holidays off.
Alot more what Im used too.
I am single 45 yr old w/m that lives in se Indiana, got my training through schneider. I enjoy driving and seeing the sites, even though you travel a road over and over there is always something new going to happen on it.
Good Luck !!!

[ThinkingAboutTrucking]

Well, I just got my CDL learner's permit a couple weeks ago. I would have started school September 25, but the school claimed they didn't get my award letter from the junior college they are affiliated with. So I start Oct. 16, with orientation Oct. 12. I'm scared and excited all at the same time. I need a break, as I've had a difficult time these past six years with my father dying, then my mother dying within four years, two months of each other.

I hope and pray I can get through trucking and that I enjoy it enough to pay off my bills. I hope my neighbor can care for my dog until I can take her with me. I hope that I can get through the bad weather and disgusting truck stops without mishap.

This really is a huge step for me in a lot of ways. I'm hoping it works.

Hope all of you can welcome me in a couple months or so. I enjoy this message board.

[SamIam_Murphy]

Hi ThinkingAboutTrucking,
I just got back from my first 'road-trip' with a trainer.
Becoming a truck driver is a real lifestyle change!
Good luck with school, study hard, practice as much as you can and
you will be fine.
Let us know how it's going.

[RamblinsRose]

Well I cnat answer to many of the questions you have because I am brand new to the industry my self I just graduated from National Tractor Trailor School on Wed. and Just passed my road test yesterday and damn talk about an awsome feeling that was. But anyway hun your best bet whould be to go to a school not through a company because if you go through a company training program you could be locked in with that company for atleast a year or more weather you like them or not where as if you go through a school you can do the reasearch and choose what company best suits u and your needs and if you get there decide you dont like them you aint gotta stay to finish out some damn contract. Some compinies do offer tuition rembersement as well with out any year long contracts to sign. Just a thought. I dont know where you live but check out it is a good school with great instuctors who know what they are talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ThinkingAboutTrucking]

Thanks everyone, for your kind words. I am definitely going with a school rather than have a trucking company pay for my schooling; that way I'm not stuck with a company.

My orientation is on Thursday. I've spent the summer doing stuff at home, since I quit my job back in June. It's going to seem scary, but I'm eager to get something started with my life and hopefully make a positive change for the better.

Thanks again!

[SammyGirl]

You sound a lot like me from what I've read although I don't have a dog. Where are you going to school?