Please help me out - Getting experience before turning 21

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by Gandy, Feb 27, 2012.

  1. Gandy

    Gandy Bobtail Member

    13
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    Feb 26, 2012
    Danville, Illinois
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    I am about to turn 18 and I want to get my CDL classes taken care of, but I keep getting told that I am wasting my time because no company will even look at my app. without AT LEAST 2 years experience, and the fact that I am not 21. Does anyone know what I can do to get good experience while I wait to turn 21 to go OTR? And, I'd like to know other of other people with some of the same problem, and what they did to solve it..THANK YOU!!!
     
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  3. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Oct 3, 2011
    Longview, TX
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    You'd have to perhaps find a small company that has their own delivery trucks. work in the office, warehouse, maintenance, wherever and work your way into filling in for vacationing drivers, riding along on routes, who knows. But your options are limited to drive prior to 21. Mainly you'll have to operate intra-state only.

    Maybe even put in a warehouse app for a nearby UPS facility and maybe work your way into some overflow Christmas package delivery? I don't know what kind of minimum age requirements a UPS would have to run parcel vans. Best regards.
     
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  4. dave26027

    dave26027 Road Train Member

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    Sep 10, 2009
    Dallas, Texas
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    You can still work as a yard spotter, drive mining equipment, farm trucks, Federal, State, County or Municipal equipment (including the Military)- you just have to dig deeper. Government needs Bus and Specialized Equipment operators, Security companies need honest, bondable armored car drivers, some local companies can't keep drivers because of nasty or tough work environments (rendering plants, packing houses, feed mills, paving and landscaping businesses)- it all depends on how hard you want to work, how determined you are and what you're willing to do.

    Don't let the age issue or your youth slow you down- if you can't find an opportunity....make an opportunity!

    Find a void in a trucking- or a trucking related business and fill it. Snap- On Tools, Frito Lay, Fedex, Motorcoaches, Uncle Sam, Private or Public Prison Systems, Overseas jobs... make your own list and hit it hard.
     
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  5. Gandy

    Gandy Bobtail Member

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    Feb 26, 2012
    Danville, Illinois
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    I think I may go to the army and do some Moter T. Everything they drive has an engine close to or equal to that of a semi.
     
  6. Wiggle Wagon

    Wiggle Wagon Light Load Member

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    Feb 29, 2012
    Dayton OH
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    Gandy, this is what you are going to do. Apply to all the LTLs in your area. UPS Freight, Conway, Estes, Old Dominion, whatever. Get a job working their docks. Many of these companies will let you go out in their yard on your own time, use their equipment to practice driving and practice for your CDL test. This is the old school LTL way of getting your CDL. Its how I did it and many others. By
     
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