New to trucking, needing help
 

I have been driving a TT for about 9 months now for a beverage company, it's a side loader trailer. I pull it with a International single axle day cab.... Driving about 1100 miles in 4 days , home every night... I am really trying to go OTR and eventually becoming an owner operator.... My problem is that I don't have any OTR experience.... I drive daily on the interstate and in town, but no over night stays.... All of the trucking jobs that I have checked on say that I have to get into there company training CDL program.... The problem is that when you do that you don't make any money.... Any suggestions, company's that age good for new drivers???? I have my goals set and I will not give up but I can not afford to start out OTR for nothing in pay..... Please help.....

Thank You... And Be Safe,
Dobber

Re: New to trucking, needing help
 

First, let me say this. JB Hunt Sucks...I don't like them.

Now with that said, you might want to contact sheepdancer.....he is a recruiter for JB Hunt. They will take you to go OTR without the training class....at least, they did with me. However, try to get on a dedicated account of some kind.....their OTR program is not the best in the world, which is what I got on.

One more thing....I don't like sheepdancer either, but he will give it to you straight.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply... this Sheepdancer is he a member of this message board or how can I get up with him??

Thanks

Re: New to trucking, needing help
 

Come ON folks... can you offer me ANY HELP WITH THIS????? PLEASE....

Sheepdancer is a recruiter, and yes...he is on this forum. Look him up and send him a PM or email.

Unfortunately...you are caught between the proverbial rock and a hard spot.
Companies and their insurance carriers want drivers with OTR experience, or the driver has to go through training....but if you shake enough trees, something may fall out that you like. BOL 8)

To where i normally agree ith the old man (sorry skywalker), JB Hunt will hire you with 3 months of T/T, where most companies won't. The only time I've ever been OTR was with JB. Everything else was local.

Hope this helps. Contact Sheepdancer.

Good luck.

When I talked to JB they would hire with 3 months TT experience BUT the trailer you pull had to be at least 45'. Most of the bay trailers that I've seen are about half that.

Doober
 

Ive been searching alot into trucking companies and the best pay rate that i found for new drivers is U.S. Express. You might check into them. They pay the most even for recent graduates. 450 to start out till u get your own truck.

Stick with what you got. Unless you dont like being home except maybe 4 days a month. But if you go OTR, prepare for a big shock.

I am trying to get up with Sheepdancer now, but because I have not posted over 50 post as of now, the board will not allow me to send him a PM... Can someone PM him and as him to PM me so I can exchange some info.. Thanks for any help!!!!

Dobber