Driver Terrie Ussery Says Trucking with Paper Transport Changed Her Life
Post Date - Feb 4, 2022
Terrie Ussery was tired of living paycheck to paycheck and working in retail. She’d always wanted to become a truck driver, but didn’t know where to begin. In 2017, after receiving encouragement and support from her friends, she finally decided to take a leap of faith and go for it.
“I knew I really needed to do better for myself,” explains Terrie. “It felt like Paper Transport chose me and I never looked back.”
Terrie says that she had a hard time finding a trucking job after she got her CDL. She had applied for several jobs that had turned her down. Once, when she was visiting a friend’s house, she saw one of our trucks and decided to give us a call.
“They said they could get me in a truck right away. It turned out to be the best decision I could have ever made,” she adds. “I was worried about being a number out here, because you hear all these stories from other drivers. That’s not the case at PTI. Working with them is amazing.”
She went through our training program, which she says did a great job preparing her for her new career.
“You learn a lot on the road, but the training teaches you the important basics,” she explains. “And they don’t throw you out to the wolves either. If you feel like you need more time, they’re willing to give it to you.”
When Terrie completed her driver training, she still didn’t feel like she was ready and requested to spend an additional week with a trainer.
“I’m thankful for that extra week because it gave me the confidence I needed to do this on my own.”
She also wanted to point out that going through a driver training program isn’t always a positive experience. When you throw together experienced drivers and new ones, each with their different personalities, for weeks at a time, there’s bound to be instances where it just isn’t a great fit. At PTI, it’s important to us that we do find a great fit between every trainee and trainer. This is why we encourage our trainees to let us know what they need throughout the process.
“My first trainer was really good. My second trainer was a little tougher and it was hard not to feel a little discouraged,” she says. “I am thankful, though, that I’ve come across some great mentors here.”
PTI is like one big family, she adds.
Terrie is one of our home-daily drivers and runs from her home in Savannah, Ga. to Atlanta and back. She also recently adopted a baby girl and is navigating her new role as a mom with the help of her support network.
“She’s three months old and honestly, I don’t feel like I’ve missed a beat,” she says. “I was a little worried I would have to change my lane, which I love, but so far I haven’t needed to do that. If I do, though, I know that PTI will really come through to me. They’re being so supportive.”
Learn more about our training program here. (https://www.papertransport.com...). If you’re ready to take the first step at a career with PTI, give us a call today!