Seeking Guidance

You will make it ok, just hang in there. You'll have to be patient, though. You're new so you'll get put through the BS. We all had to go through it. Everyone of us were rookies. The freight market isn't the best right so we are all feeling the pinch, rookies and inexperienced drivers. Even when it's good, every company brings a new driver on slowly. Companies make drivers newly hired drivers go through the BS. Even after you get your year and go somewhere else, you'll have to prove yourself to that company. You can speed up the process by sticking it out and doing whatever is asked of you. If you can make it through this first year, it'll be wonderful. Very few, if any, drivers make good money the first year. After you make it a year, you should be able to make at minimum low 50s in terms of cpm if you get with the right company. Trust me, patience is rewarded nicely in this industry.

 

Take a look at the original post. Then you came in with a punctuated post.

 

I was looking at cdl jobs in Tucson and most have changed the hiring criteria due to the recession.
Some that were hiring new cdl school grads, now want a year experience.
Some local work requires the driver to operate a stick shift truck.
CTI Inc. is one of them. Went from hiring new cdl school grads to requiring 1 yr. experience.

• Valid Class A CDL
• Acid Hazmat Division - endorsement requirements are HAZMAT & Tank
• Minimum 23 Years of age
• 1-year experience operating a combination vehicle
• Local and Regional routes
• Ability to operate a manual 10-speed
• Avg. $70,000 a year

 

@TripleSix wants to be an English teacher when he grows up.

 

CR England has a home daily job delivering to Walmart & Sam's Club.
$59,000 - $72,000 a year
I've seen the trucks used for that and they look new and well maintained.

• Valid CDL-A plus 3+ months of Class A CDL experience required
• This lane is not suitable for students or trainees

Lane Details:

• Drivers will average 8-15 loads per week and an average of 3-4 stops per load
• Routes start in Casa Grande, AZ and can run a 225-mile radius
• No-touch freight, live unloads. Most loads are multi-stop delivery
• Home daily
• Mileage band pay, Stop pay, Detention pay

 

It's hard to quit your way to success if you don't define what success means to you. I don't mean a vague "I want to make the most money, or good money." I mean what dollar amount is your target. A dollar amount is a number you can type into a calculator, not a description of a lifestyle. Without significant experience and during an industry slow-down you have to find someone making the money you want who is willing to tell you where to apply for the job. Beware of just comparing Cents Per Mile or CPM without comparing miles every week also. A trucking company can guarantee to pay you $10 per mile and give you no miles. Income is CPM x miles, not just CPM.

Stay put until you have a year's experience. Research companies until your year is complete. Quitting a certain job for a rumor of a better paycheck is how you become a job hopper.

 

One of the questions I always ask is what type of driving do you enjoy? Do you want to be active or just say have time to work and then play video games while you wait for an unload?

For example, tanker, flatbed, reefer and dry van can all get you physical labor depending on who you work for, you can for example lump your own freight (breakdown and unload a trailer) in reefer and dry van for some companies - at times you get paid more and other times you don’t. Think in terms of what type of work you want to do and then where you’d like to live, from there find a job that matches your experience and try to grow a bit with it before taking your next step. I personally started with reefer and then moved to open deck which I much prefer, I also like to drive all over the country and not in a region, others like regional work and getting home more for a shorter time - one of the best things about trucking is the variety, there’s nearly something for everyone.

 

Slow down young man. I can hear your ambition loud and clear. Lol. I suggest sticking it out at least 6 months. Wait for the doors to open. They will all open in no time at all. Look at the bigger picture if possible. However by all means do what you think is best for you.

 

I just bought a truck and the dealership is telling me it might not be ready next Friday when I planned on picking it up 8 days from now to do the 100 point inspection is that normal

 

YOU tell them when you will pick it up, or the deal is off. I bet it's ready.