The Source for Trucking News, Opinions and Trucking Jobs | New Truckers Part I

For the last couple of weeks I’ve had this train of thought in my head, it’s become so long I’ve split it into three separate posts. At the end you’ll probably think that train derailed into a horrible wreck, but here it goes.

Believe it or not, I haven’t been driving for that long. Back in late 1998 for circumstances I won’t go into I went to a technical college for six weeks and got my CDL, signed up at a "puppy mill", survived all the BS and finally, I think I’m doing pretty well at the moment.   When I read this article it reminded me of the enthusiasm, excitement and the frustration of starting a new career.  Plus the excitement that Cindy has for driving has reminded me of my own excitement when I started.

Even though these articles are usually propaganda put out by large company recruiters, this is pretty good.

Revving up a new career

By Mardi Suhs, Cadillac News
LAKE CITY – Annette Niles loves her new career and proudly showed off her office – a shiny red truck – a monstrous, top-of-the-line Volvo road cab with leather interior, bunk beds, color TV, refrigerator and satellite capability.

When the course ended, national recruiters stood in line to offer her a high-paying job.

High paying??? It’s not bad and it beats working in fast food. But I wouldn’t try and support a family first starting out, I didn’t even support a car or an apartment when I started. When I started I did think it was pretty cool to have so many job choices waiting for me. Between the recruiters at school and all the free "trade" (recruiting) magazines at truck stops the hiring process was a lot different than what I was used to.

…Out on the road for five weeks at a time, Niles has never been happier.

She
criss-crosses the country with confidence. She raves about the thrill
of driving through the Donner Pass – or gazing from the roads of El
Paso across the border into Mexico. And she has tackled her fears
head-on.