How do I get local driving jobs?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by shannon, Apr 24, 2007.

  1. shannon

    shannon Bobtail Member

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    Apr 24, 2007
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    I'm planning to get my CDL-class A license from a school here in Wyoming but I really don't want an OTR job when I get out; I just want to do something local like hauling gravel or dump truck work, delivering building materials even if it means less pay. Is it possible to get a local job right out of school? I wouldn't mind going OTR to get the first years experience if it wasn't for all the horror stories about companies like Swift and JB Hunt sticking newbies with child molester trainers and getting screwed by bad dispatchers. Does anybody out there have any advice about getting hired on with a local company? Thanks - Shannon
     
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  3. broncrider

    broncrider Road Train Member

    apply to the local gravel pit, this time of year they are usaully looking for drivers as some never return from winter layoff, just be ready to drive a mixer truck...thats where the newbies usaully get stuck even though they are more dangrous than a dump and in a higher demand....or put in for a job in the oil feild...or just find a small dump truck and backhoe outfit and apply, get on as groundman and transport driver.just keep your hours and miles well documented so when you decide to do a "regional"thing you have something to prove you can drive
     
  4. ChevyTrucks

    ChevyTrucks Light Load Member

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    I started local, just get out there and apply to every company possible and you are sure to hit one that is desperate for drivers. You might get the crappy truck and you might get the crappy route to start but its a start. Don't extra to make mega bucks with those desperate companies but anywhere from $14-$18 an hour seems to be average in my area for drivers with little to no experience. Work it out and you'll see you come pretty close to the OTR guys. Early morning hours and long days might be a must though, you'll come home and go right to sleep but at least its in your own bed.
     
  5. Shaggy

    Shaggy Road Train Member

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    Apply to every local job. your bound to get a hit.
     
  6. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    There's good local work available. I started out with flatbeds hauling asphalt shingles up to New York every day. It didn't pay much and the hours were long, but it wasn't bad work.
     
  7. speed_man13

    speed_man13 Light Load Member

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    Jan 27, 2007
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    Are you able to get with like a lumber store or something like that? Possibly Menards or Lowes or someone that delivers on large trucks? Is that a place to start or do you need experience for those areas too?
     
  8. Sushitrucker

    Sushitrucker Bobtail Member

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    Apr 12, 2007
    Hayward, CA
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    Hi Shannon,

    I don't know much about the job situation in Wyoming, but no doubt you'll find something.

    Here in the SF Bay region, I signed up for a temp agency. A few of the jobs were overnighters, but nearly all were local routes. Lots of variety, and surprisingly few hassles. (Worst thing was, getting stuck with some outfit's oldest junker, and having to nurse it up and down the roads, all that day.)
     
  9. Lil'Devil

    Lil'Devil Heavy Load Member

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    You have to get out and look, go and apply at different companies, look in the local papers, there are lots of jobs hauling gravel, construction jobs, etc. I started out driving locally when I first started,
     
  10. juanveldez

    juanveldez Light Load Member

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    Apr 24, 2007
    Iron Mountian MI
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    I kind of fell into my local route at first, I started out training to be a trailer mechanic for the company that I drive for, but they kept calling me in on my days off so I just said screw it and went into their driver training program and after that got on the same route as the trailers I was fixing in the shop and after my first year there asked to be moved to a different route when a truck opened up.
     
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