Class A drivers????Can anyone think?

Question

I cant believe all the silly questions being asked?

Does no one think for themselves anymore?

I am a CDL class A driver.........I thought I would see that kind of info in here. The DMV can help you with your learning permit questions, and whether or not where u you can plate or title a car..........any Truckers out there with some knowledge for someone thinking of going over the road? I have been driving local for 3 yrs with my class A

tanker, airbrakes. I think I have everything but hazmat, and I

dont really want that.

Answer 1

I don't know what your really asking except that it pays fairly good and your gone alot and you can pick what part of the country you want to haul like out west only don't believe they will have you home every weekend like some promise, stay away from the big apple most wont haul there because you stop at a light and they are trying to get to your load. I have a great amount of respect for women truckers you can make more money if you have a buddy to team with because while they drive you sleep vise versa you will see more of the country and learn what truck stops and rest areas to avoid for good reason and always check to see if someone has unhooked anything after resting like uncoupling your fith wheel bottles between tires that fly out when your getting up to speed unhooked air lines etc. there are good and bad company's to work for and some require you take their training before hiring. You can find a job rather easy not many want that type of job anymore. Hope this helps and if you do please be careful out there. God Bless

Answer 2

Well, give it a shot!  You won't know until you try :).  

If you have no kids or family at home, it's much easier.  Being away from family is one aspect that's very hard on a lot of drivers.  

A lot of OTR companies want to see OTR experience and some may not hire you if you have local only.  Other companies will hire you, but will require that you ride with a trainer for a period of time, to ensure you have the appropriate skills.  I have a few friends who've had to go through this....and it usually results in the trainer going "Wow.  You know how to drive a truck."  Then, they make a phone call to the company and say "GET THIS PERSON OFFA MY TRUCK- THEY KNOW HOW TO DRIVE ALREADY!"  LOL.  They might say you'll go with the trainer for 20 days or 3 weeks or something, but with most companies if the trainer insists you know how to drive already, you can have your time cut short.  

Try Crete- I have a personal friend who went there, same scenario, I think she was only with a trainer for 5 days.  They're supposedly a pretty good company, from what I hear.  

Right now a lot of the big companies are cutting the speed of their trucks down to 60-65 mph....I work for a small company with ungoverned trucks and I don't think I could handle that, LOL.  My truck gets 6.2 mpg on flat ground at 72 mph, and I vary my speed accordingly to maximize efficiency in other driving conditons.  I'm personally irritated by these companies who feel they must "think" for their drivers....but judging by some of the drivers out here, I guess it's necessary LOL.  

  Some of them are imposing pretty goofy idle restrictions; things like Covenant actually "charging" solo drivers for every hour of idle time (just a rumor I heard) and companies taking away bonuses if you idle too much.  Personally, I like my truck to be comfortable, which to me means "cold as a walk-in freezer"....plus I have 2 little dogs so need to cool the truck, in the heat even when I'm not in it.  If that sort of thing is important to you, look for a company that equips their trucks with APU's or pays for Idle Aire.  Trans Am in Olathe KS would likely hire you and they have APU's.  Swift, I believe, pays for Idle Aire.  But it's up to you, if you're more heat-tolerant than I am, it may not be a big deal :).  

Good luck, whatever you decide, feel free to message me privately if you have any questions, too.

Answer 3

I've been a driver since 99 It's good to hear from another driver