Searching for CDL schools. Probably need sponsered rather then forking out 5k I dont have. My issue is as a single dad of two younger kids, I need to be a local or home VERY frequently driver. Any ideas of how I can get training for a local or regional driving position? I have never gotten a ticket, or had a violation of any sort. I'm 39 and live in central PA. I guess I need to be looking into dump truck etc... Any advice would be helpful!

Sincerely,
Rick

from what i understand you have to "pay your dues" by driving OTR for awhile to get a good local job. around here the military get first crack at those.
i could be WAAY off on this though, a more knowledgable member should come through here to clarify though

I also think whereabouts the country you are, will be a factor.

You might wanna look into Roehl's lifestyles fleet (i think that's what it's called). Perhaps the 7 on, 7 off would allow you ample time to spend with ur children. The down side to this is slip seating, meaning while you're off, someone else will be driving ur truck. I've heard of people getting local jobs straight out of school. Check the Yellow Pages in your area for trucking or transportation companies near by. I know of some guys who have started working as a "yard dog" for a local distribution center or large manufacturing facility. These jobs are typically no more than a 12 hr shift and usually provide ample time at home, as you never leave the facility you're working at. All you'd be doing is shuttling trailers in and out of dock doors.

__________________
Keep that diesel burnin' and those tires turnin', but get there safe to keep on earnin'!!

........ I guess I need to be looking into dump truck etc... Any advice would be helpful!

Sincerely,
Rick[/quote]

Also:moving companies,foodservice industry(Sysco,McLane..),local distributors.Once You got 1-2 years,than LTL companies such as FedEx,Ups,ABF etc would a good place for You to work.

Most ppl dont want to go OTR, but HAVE to for the 1 yr experience. Had a friend of mine who's wife wouldn't let him go, did concrete mixers---big turnover, any quick rt turn would flip it---then immediate fired! Construction is possibiltiy, but usually low wages. Bite the bullet, due min of 6 mos. OTR, then look!

The real problem that you are going to encounter is that you are looking for two very incompatable things. Companies that have company sponsored training are almost exclusively OTR companies. They need to fill the seats of their trucks, and are willing to take on the expense of running a training program to do so. Very few companies that do local work do that, since by definition they are smaller companies working locally and simply don;t have the overhead to cover the costs of such a program.

there are jobs thta offer good hometime, but they are not entry level positions. A friend of mine had the same reasons you do (child issues) and went to work for Marathon hauling fuel on a daily schedule, working 4 days a week. In doing so, he knew that his income would be reduced considerably, but was willing to take the pay cut. But they only hire experienced drivers, and won't even look at someone without a reasonable amount of time behind the wheel.

Your best option, depending on where you live, is to do dock work at a LTL hauler like Roadway, Estes, ABF, or something like that and then train to drive through programs that they have that hires off of their docks. They train in the yard, and then they can supply the truck for testing.

Other than that, your request for both hometime and company paid training is pretty much a longshot. I won't say it can't happen, but it's not going to be easy to find.

Ok, central PA..
I looked that up, cause I have way too much free time.

Go to your local ... emploment office? (I forget what PA'ers call them.) look into WIA funding (Workforce Investment Act.) This is the government, they don't move fast by nature. They do pay for schooling at the above company. It's up to you if you qualify. Get your CDL-A Certificate, they may even offer job assistance. When you get your Certificate, you may luck out, and someone may be hiring at your hometime-needs. It's unlikely, but possible. Regardless, you'd at least be qualified for CDL-B employment.

I started my searching at [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

Local companies don't train. even if you pay for your own school chances are you will not get a local job with no experience. you need to go on the road to learn. The schools just get you a license they don't teach you to truck. You have to learn that on the job. Take the time now while the kids are young and get your experience so later you can have a good job and be with them more.
here is another thing. Most local jobs that work 9 to 5 type hours don't pay much at all. The god paying local stuff is almost ALL nights and weekends. Much local freight is moved at night. So you won't see the kids much more anyways. I just went back otr after 6 years local. I leave monday morn and get home thursday night or friday mid day. I see my family MORE now than I did driving local. Id doesn't doo much good to be local when your family is asleep when you get home and gone when you wake up.
That said though trucking is a place you will always have a job. It's not the easyist life but it's a good honest living and probably the most money a high school grad and lower can make anywhere