Truck drivers?

[Bishop73]

Are there any here? I want to change careers and have been considering driving for some time. I am looking at going with P.A.M. here in Texas and have done extensive research on them.

I'd just like to get some real world advice from other drivers. Is a year of OTR training really needed? If you were under contract your first year would you do it again or start uncontracted? Is P.A.M a good company to start with? Any good forums I should check out?

[GetMore]

I think you'd have a hard time finding a job driving a Class A rig without experience. That is one of the benefits of the training, it gives you the experience.
Another advantage to training is that there is a LOT to learn about driving a truck compared to driving a car. Until you get behind the wheel of one you can not have any idea how complicated it is.

If you don't mind being away from home for a month at a time then maybe OTR is a job for you. There are some jobs that will have you home every night, but most have you out for longer. Depending on what setup the company has you might never know where you are going to be going after your current load. Some drivers bring a trailer to a destination and then look for a load going somewhere else. When they arrive there the cycle repeats. Wherever a load is going is where they head.

Do you like sitting in traffic and having people passing you to get into your lane, just in front of you? Do you enjoy having people cut you off? Do you like driving in bad weather?
These are all things you have to deal with, and you have to be a safe driver. You can't cut someone off because they pissed you off. You can't play games with other drivers and get away with things you can in a car, because someone might call you in to your company or the cops.

You will also have to deal with DOT. Around here they will set up in rest stops, and all trucks have to pass through. They will choose a truck to inspect and go through paperwork and vehicle condition. If there's an issue you will be parked for a while.
Some DOT stops are at other locations, kind of like speed traps, but they can decide to check you just because they feel like it.

I believe most drivers get paid per mile. I think the rate is up to about 42 cents/mile as an average. That's not too bad if you are on the highway and traffic is moving, but once you slow down your hourly rate drops. I doubt you'd ever hit $30 an hour.

It's not all bad, but it can be a lot of hassles.

[Bishop73]

Thanks for your input, that's the kind of info I was looking for. I don't have a big problem with OTR, I was in the Navy as well as working on the road after that. So I've got some experience being away from home. PAM appears to have you out a week or so at a time, will know more when (if) I app with them.

I am a safe driver, so that isn't an issue. I know I need the experience behind the wheel and OTR is the only way that will really happen. I don't act like an idiot when I'm driving my car, let alone if I were in a rig so that isn't an issue. I'm not a huge fan of sitting in traffic, especially if it's costing me money but what can you do?

I know DOT can be a hassle, only thing I can do is keep my stuff in order the best I can and pray I don't end up with a jackass inspecting me.

Well, the starting pay at PAM is a bit lower per mile, but I don't expect it to be amazing starting out.

Again, thanks for your input, it helped me think about some things I hadn't put much thought into.

[The Stickman]

One other option is local LTL driving. Not sure on how they are for requiring experience. I know I was a Straight truck driver before ending up on disability for Migraines. But I made a good wage, got paid by the hour. Was home every night. Now there can me alot of physical work needed for unloading sometimes. But I always considered that a bonus as it kept me in shape. Again as Getmore stated you need a calm demeenor to do the job or atleast it helped me.

[killer69]

How do you appoligize to a truck driver????




I'm sorry your a truck driver!!!

:enguard:

HaHaHa

sorry i had to

[paul67]

If you are willing to move try the oil sand mines in canada they always seem to be short of people and the moneys good,they pulled out of the kioto agreement so as to keep the mines going.