Truck Driving Jobs

shaun · #1 09-14-2007, 10:11 PM

First of all, this is my first post on this forum, I just found it last night and I think it's a great resource.

I need some help. I got my CDL through Prime a few years ago (maybe 4). I think I set myself up to fail and only made it for 6 months before I quit. From there I went on to work at a few different local jobs. I ended up driving a straight truck for the last year and a half or so.

Well now I'm ready to give it another try. I've applied to Schneider and I want to get prepared to make it work this time.

Before I didn't even have a cell phone, no internet, no gps. It was just me, my qualcomm, cb, and atlast book. I could only call for directions if I stopped at a payphone.

This time I have my girlfriend going with me, I have my cell phone, I'm getting a GPS system, xm radio, and a wireless internet card for my laptop. I really believe that being pretty much cut off from the rest of the world my first time around made me so miserable that I just couldn't take it.

So can you help me out with what I should buy...
I have sprint service for my cell phone. So, should I go with their wireless internet?

What GPS system would you recommend? I read the 5 page long discussion on this topic but never really came up with a final conclusion except that I shouldn't totally rely on it for trip planning, but use it as a tool. I don't want to spend a fortune on this, but I'm not looking for the cheapest. I just want to know which one is good for what I need. This is very important to me because I believe another reason I didn't make it before is because I was scared to death of getting lost in that big truck.

And if there's anything else you'd recommend to go ahead and get before I take the plunge, let me know. I have some money to play with and I want to give myself the best chance to succeed. Looking forward to hearing from you.

inmate1577 · #2 09-14-2007, 10:28 PM

Yeah, get SIRIUS instead of XM.
Other than that, did SNI accept you?

shaun · #3 09-14-2007, 10:36 PM

Not yet, I'm just assuming (hoping) they will. I have 6 months of OTR experience, 9 more months of local tractor/trailer, and a year and a half of straight truck. Are they strict on hiring new people?

Trucker_Matt · #4 09-14-2007, 10:42 PM

well if you have a ticket for an accident they wont hire you for 3 years.

+1 on sirus radio.

also, i would recommend the sprint laptop card, i like it.

shaun · #5 09-14-2007, 10:51 PM

2 speeding tickets within the last 3 years, but no accidents.

all18wheels · #6 09-14-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaun

2 speeding tickets within the last 3 years, but no accidents.

OUCH! one thing you need to learn. If you have a CDL, DONT GET TICKETS.
it will ruin you chances to make some good money with good carriers.
do the math on how much sooner you got to your destination as opposed to how much that ticket cost you in fines, and great jobs...BOL

greg3564 · #7 09-14-2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaun

2 speeding tickets within the last 3 years, but no accidents.

Well 2 isn't exactly a deal killer. But, what were the speeds that you were cited for? That can make a BIG difference.

shaun · #8 09-15-2007, 08:14 AM

one on the interstate - 69 in 55
one on a back road - 39 in 55

I had went years without having any tickets, then I got two pretty close together. I really never thought I'd be driving for a living again... but here I am now trying to do it.

shaun · #9 09-15-2007, 08:16 AM

And I appreciate everybody helping out with that aspect of it, but my original questions never really got addressed. This post got off course right off the bat.

Anybody have recommendations on what I was asking about in the original post?

Malaki86 · #10 09-15-2007, 10:54 AM

For the data cards (internet) - I don't think I could go without it now. It's just too damn useful. I use it for browsing when I'm sitting, looking up addresses, etc. I have Sprint and love it. It's well worth the money. I can get on the internet just about anywhere I'm at.

GPS system - there are only 2 gps systems that are labeled truck specific - Truckmiles and CoPilot Truck. I use CoPilot myself and find it to be a great tool. However, you CANNOT rely 100% on ANY gps system, even ones made for a car, but especially in a truck. Double-check the route the gps system creates before taking it.