Like lots of others I just recently started to look into trucking. I’m an 18 year old out of Bellevue Washington. I just graduated HS with a 3.5 GPA that I barely tried for, dropped out of college already and I don’t really know what to do with my life. I do know that I love driving so much, I love my 20 minute commute to work and I really wish it was an hour. I would love to drive for a living but I dont really think I would want to do it in a sports fashion unless it was drifting. So I’ve come upon truck driving among a few things.
So I’ve done a little bit of research so far, I know how to get my CDL, I’ve looked at a Trucking Schools, Roehl is looking like the best one so far. I don’t know much about trucks themselves other than I know how the gearbox works (playing american truck sim now), how some of them looks and that I should always do a walk around, always be weary of everything. I don’t really know how the industry works yet, I’ve heard some good and bad things, some things that I should probably do and some that I should avoid. One thing I’ve heard a suprising amount about is how many companies reject products and especially produce once the truck arrives, although there are few ways around that it seems.
Learning about trucking has been fun so far and I think it would be a good job for me for at least 5 or so years so I can figure out a different career or keep trucking going. Who knows? As I said before I really enjoy driving, my parents retired recently and they live about 4 hours away, and I can tell you that that drive feels like nothing. Which I’ve heard is a good thing for newbies if you can take longer loads, and I think I would definitely be capable of doing long hours and long drives. I’m confident in my driving ability and I bet I could learn how to back up a 53 foot a little quicker than most others.
One other thing that I see a lot about is your home-rate. I’ve been thinking about that because it wouldn’t be an issue for me. I could leave where I’m living right now and live in a truck for the next few years and I wouldn’t mind much. So is that another way I can appeal myself to companies?
So aside from my abilities, am I fit for trucking? Should I go with Roehl or are there any other companies I should get my CDL from? Should I start trucking as soon as possible? I know a decent amount about engines and automobiles, should I learn all I can about how trucks work and their engines or does it matter that much? What are some beginner things that some of yall wish you knew? Im really looking for any advice here really haha. The trucking community seems friendly so far so I’d love to join! Thanks, Coop.
