Pre-Planning a new career

Start contacting now. I started my CDL school on May 5. I had 4 prehires 1-2 months before school. Several did tell me to contact them about a month prior to my graduation to get the ball rolling on my application. Im settled on where I am headed. All my research and homework has been leading to the same thing, everything my recruiter has said, is the real deal, so long as Im willing to work.


Do your homework. Be sure to understand that you will most likely be OTR for the first year or two. Local jobs are tough to land because that is where everyone wants to get to. Make sure the CDL school you are going to is a reputable school. There are plenty out there that are just CDL mills and they are going to teach you just enough to get you to pass the CDL drive test.

Do you have any idea as to the type of driving you want to do? LTL, Dry van, Reefer, flatbed, tanker, doubles/triples, hazmat? Dont wait to start studying for the CDL exams till school. Start today, it will make things easier for yourself in school.

 

Doesn't hurt to form relationships and research early.

 

Well there are so many companies out there that will hire you right off the bat that are in all these types. Here in Ohio, you can test for the Hazmat prior to getting the CDL and then once you have the CDL you add your endorsements onto your CDL without getting charged for adding them. If you wait till after you have your CDL they charge $44 for adding an endorsement. Also a lot of companies will want you to have your hazmat prior to signing on with them, others will give you as much as 6 months to get it. If you are able to seriously consider getting your passport, and your TWIC card. Those will enable you to expand the amount of hauls you can do, and make it easier on you when going into shipping ports or government bases.

 

Keep in mind, lots of companies don't like hiring from Florida.

 

So long as your studying & have time. Get all of your Endorsements now / when you sit for your CDL written / permit. Get every single one of them.

You see how jobs / opportunities come & go.

Best of luck to you.

 

That's exciting to hear. Best of luck to you.

 

One needs more than that.

But much in this business is random.

Best to reduce the amount, up front, in as much as one can anyway.

 

Friend of mine lives in Crystal River; he's a retired nuclear physicist and consultant. Started his career in the Navy on nuclear submarines. I started mine cleaning urinals on Navy ships...lol.

Yes, get all the endorsements, TWIC and a passport. There's some great trucking jobs waiting for you. You will have a great job waiting the day you graduate.

Since you're losing your job, the Florida unemployment office or Florida Dept. of Labor will probably pay for CDL school. In Tampa they pay for Roadmaster, don't know which one they pay for in your area. I think around Orlando they pay for a community college CDL school. Don't know if the severance package will affect that or not.