QuestionHi :)....
My boyfriend and I are in the beginning stages of researching the idea of becoming truck drivers, more specifically becoming a long-haul driving team. Right now I'm just trying to put some feelers out and find out where the best place to start would be. We won't be doing this for another couple of years, but I feel you can't start learning too early :).
I suppose I have a few questions floating around in my head- firstly, Do you know any of the companies that permit drivers to keep pets on the road? I've got a small, clean, odorless, shorthaired dog who is part of the family and is very well trained. I have heard some companies allow pets with a deposit- I just can't find which ones. Paul and I are quite excited about the idea of driving trucks together, but we'll have to scrap the idea if we can't find a way to take the dog along :).
Also- Our hope is to basically "live on the road" for at least a couple of years. We'd like to move out of our apartment and put our stuff in storage. We don't have kids, we don't desire a whole lot of "time home" since we won't really have a home, and time off would just mean we'd have to spend extra money to get a hotel room. Is this idea realistic? Most of the trucking company websites I've seen talk about schedule plans that have you coming home every 2 weeks or something- do companies also seek out crazily motivated teams who WANT to drive more or less non-stop?
If the above idea *is* pretty realistic- is it realistic for a relatively inexperienced team? Of the companies that are willing to hire newbie drivers- do they also typically desire "newbie teams"? If things work out the way I think they'll work out- Paul will most likely already have his CDL and more than a year and a half's worth of experience. I will most likely be a total newbie, fresh out of training. I'm currently going to a 4-year college for technical writing so I can't find time to go to driving school & training until I graduate, unless I can manage to go to driving school in the summer and get local driving experience somehow. Paul, on the other hand, hopes to go to driving school this summer.
I'm very interested in hearing what you think and any advice you can give me :). Thank you very much for your time!
Take care
~Danielle, a fellow Allexperts volunteer in the Pets category :)
AnswerHi'ya Danielle!
I don't know right off hand any specific companies that allow small pets on board, but I am sure they exist. I don't know how much research you have done at this point, so I may be telling you things you already know.
Firstly, (to coin a phraise) I assume you know that there are several companies out there that will actually PAY 100% of your tuition thru CDL school, in return for a year's contract to drive for them. To me,the logical route is to seek out some of these schools,(like C-1 Professional in Indianapolis). They will have all the info you are looking for about every company that sponsers new drivers thru there school.
A quick websearch lead me to a site that may be a good starting point for you. http://www.jobsfortruckers.com/
If you do your homework (As I am sure you will) you will find nearly exactly what you are looking for. Check the local newspaper for "inexperienced OTR drivers" Most of these ads are placed by schools, rather than trucking companies. The schools help you find the right company for you.
Your idea of living on the road IS VERY Realistic. I lived on the road for my first year, just as you described. Those dispatchers would be falling all over themselves to keep you busy. (grin) Most peoples problems with a lot of companies is that they don't GET you home as often as they say the will. Simply tell your dispatcher every 2 weeks (or whatever) that you're ready for a few days off, when you are on your way to a city that you would like time off in. Just give them a few days notice. They will love you!
i.e. You're in New Jersey, and they found you a load to dallas. "OK, I'ld like to shut down for a couple days when we get there" These weekend breaks will probably be the only times you actually get to stay in a hotel, too. I hope you can sleep at 70 mph.
Another thing that crosses my mind is I think I would not go to the driving school until after I finished collage. You are not going to get a local job fresh out of CDL school. Most decent local CDL jobs require OTR experience. Besides, the tuition-free schools will require you to go OTR immediately upon graduation.
Also, Some trucking companies that "share" the cost of DCL Training rather than pay 100% will offer free training for the spouse. There are hundreds of packages out there. You just need to find the right one for you.
This brings to mind another idea.. If Paul will be driving for a full year before you go to DCL School, he could get on with almost any company (as described above) do his year with them while you both look for another company that will hire paul, and train you for free, that allows pets on board. (Once he has his year in accident free, there's not a company that won't take him)
I wish you all the luck in the world, and sincerely hope you will keep me updated on your progress at j.cassett@fuse.net. I'll be happy to help out further if I can.
Sincerely,
(A fellow beloved dog owner)
James
