Hey Ya'll, I am currently looking into trucking since a few family members are currently pushing me to go that route. I have no problems with it, and it will be a better career choice than I have right now. I do have a couple of questions that you guys might be able to help me out in. First of all, I know that I will have to go with a starter company, and I want to work for a good one. A friend of mine recommended Watkins and Shepard and Millis Transfer. My problem is that I currently live in North Florida, and I doubt that W/S hire around here. I do have a relative that live in western North Carolina, but I am not sure how I would go about that when I apply. Unfortunately I will not be able to stay with my relative, but he does have a address up there. How would I go on about having an address or a license from a state that I do not live in? Also is there any good school up in the western NC region? Thanks
Use your relatives address in NC for your license. Some states are more strict. Some drivers also use a United Parcel Service Store address that has mail service, but don't use the P.O. box, just the physical address. Another thing, you do not have to begin your career with a so called "starter company." Get a passport, TWIC, and all endorsements,especially tanker/hazmat. You can be hired by a well established solid company, that doesn't go thru drivers like lemmings jumping off a cliff. Think about what type of trucking you want. Dry van pays the least annually. The best money is tanker/hazmat, then flatbed or reefer. Living in Florida, you may get on with Florida Rock & Tank or Melton Truck Lines. There's a possibility you can get on with Benny Whitehead Trucking which is close to the North Florida state line, in Eufaula, AL. They run Florida/West Coast turns. Apply with any company you like & ignore the "experience required" on the websites. You might also get on with Miller Transporters; terminal just north of Jax, in Garden City, GA and a terminal in Bartow, FL Cypress Truck Lines in Jax might hire you. Cypress is one of many companies that has a CDL school tuition reimbursement program. Don't limit yourself with applications.
Thanks! I do have my passport, but I still lack the TWIC. I will look into some of these other companies that you mentioned.
You might want to try CCC and CTL too. Believe they both have yards in Jax. CCC is mainly van but they do have some tankers running around and CTL is all tanker. Florida Rock would be my first choice though.
I would suggest you seriously think about your decision since you stated "some relatives pushed you into it and you were fine with it ." Just offering advice read more threads about companies as well as lifestyle changes. If you don't wake up in the morning and love what your doing then it's just a job and not a career choice.
I have a buddy that used to drive for Fla Rock... I might just apply for them. Now he is working in the ND oil fields. The only bad thing that I may have to do is quit my current "dead end" job to go to school. I want to go to Fla Career Tech, but I do not know if I can go 8 weeks without working. But I am exited about getting into truck driving.
I have read many threads about trying to get home time with a home address in FLA. (Ya, I am so old I use the three and four letter state abbreviations!) Using the relatives address in NC may work well for applications and employment, but getting home time might be a problem. Might be best, and overall easiest for you, to try to get a position near your real address. Mikeeee
