Attention all rookies and wannabes: Local Jobs for New Drivers

Big Bang · Jan 13, 2014

Hi everyone do anyone know of any mom and pop companies in the phoenix area that may hire newbs?

red blewer · Jan 15, 2014

easier said than done, I have 6 months and 30,000 miles under my belt and so far cr England,us express and all the others you mentioned are the only ones to take me , I've tried local companies all say 1 year.even log trucking companies whose drivers have never driven out of state wont take me. guess that's just the way it works.
but I keep on keeping on.....

unloader · Jan 16, 2014

red blewer said: ↑

easier said than done, I have 6 months and 30,000 miles under my belt and so far cr England,us express and all the others you mentioned are the only ones to take me , I've tried local companies all say 1 year.even log trucking companies whose drivers have never driven out of state wont take me. guess that's just the way it works.
but I keep on keeping on.....
Click to expand...

You got any soda or beer beverage delivery companies in your area? They are a good place to start when looking for home every night local work.

unloader

Radman · Jan 18, 2014

6 months exp Hazmat and doubles gets you in as a p&d driver for Reddaway if your in the western states.

gucci2u · Jan 25, 2014

Does anyone know of any local jobs in Iowa, the quad cities area?

Dillon007 · Feb 2, 2014

7122894003481 said: ↑

Me and another guy on here were having a discussion earlier.....We both feel there is alot of bad information being regurgitated over and over to rookies and wannabes......

First thing first:

You dont necessarily have to spend a day over the road!!!! Depending on your location, work ethic, endorsements and driving record, there is a very good chance that you can go straight into a local or regional job.

Dont believe me? Go to an LTL terminal and ask around. Ask how many guys have been over the road. Sure, some have, but it seems most LTL drivers have always been LTL drivers.

Heres how it works: Everybody tells you "You HAVE to get atleast 1 year otr before local companies will even look at you"........BS!!!!

Dont misunderstand me, Im not saying every local company will hire you.......But many will! Ive been in LTL for a while, Ive seen tons of rookies come in. You might have to work the dock to start, and wait for a driving job to open up, but you will be home every night!

Im just tired of seeing all these people go to these mega carriers signing their soul away for their CDL......Heres another little secret. Many LTLs will hire you as a dockworker, and let you go out in the yard and use their equipment to practice for your CDL. This is how MANY LTL drivers got their start, myself included.

And its not even just LTL. Pepsi, 7up, Zinc, Monarch Beverage, Coca Cola, and the list goes on and on.....All of them have warehouse employees, and have their own trucks. And many of them promote from within before hiring off the street!

You can get your CDL for $200, IF YOU ARE WILLING TO WORK FOR IT!!! You can learn all the pre trip and manuevering skills on your own....Or work at a warehouse, or the dock at an LTL company, and save up money to put yourself through CDL school! You wont owe anybody a dime when its all said and done. You can go to your employer and say "Look, I took the initiative of getting my CDL on my own. Would you please consider me for a driving job when one becomes available?"

Or some places have a bid process, and when a driving job becomes available, they let the inside employees bid on the job.

There isnt always a waiting list, because many people dont get their CDL on their own anymore.

Theres even a few local companies that have their own driving schools (Estes Express Lines comes to mind...Good company)

Just something to think about. If you are young, not afraid to work, and dont think driving a forklift is beneath you...Yes, working on cold open docks sucks, but generally the pay is decent, and you are working towards a future......And want a good paying job that will most likely get you home every night, then do it! Just get your doubles/triples and hazmat endorsements.

Heres some of the large LTLs.....

UPS Freight
ABF
Dayton Freight
Conway (LTL)
YRC (Yellow/Roadway)
R&L*
Central Transport*
Fedex Freight
Estes Express Lines
Saia Motor Freight*
Vitran*
Old Dominion
USF Holland

*= These in my opinion are bottom feeder LTLs, but for a rookie, it wouldnt be bad. Get your CDL with their equipment, get some experience and then apply to a better company.

If anyone wants more information, or has any questions...PM me ######. I hate seeing all these guys being told lies about having to go over the road. Its simply not true.

I did the over the road crap when I first started out and got laid off for a while from Overnite Transportation. Its not bad but its definitely not for everybody.

Heres something else......If a job says it requires 1 year experience, whats it gonna hurt to apply???? NOTHING! Apply anyways! All they can do is say no. Ive been informed that my company advertises they require 1 year experience on their website.....We get rookies all the time! We get guys who come off the dock who have never drove before, get their CDL and get a driving job! It happens. It is not impossible.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Been off the road for years looking to return,You have renewed my hope to drive again.

grasshopper32 · Feb 6, 2014

7122894003481 said: ↑

Me and another guy on here were having a discussion earlier.....We both feel there is alot of bad information being regurgitated over and over to rookies and wannabes......

First thing first:

You dont necessarily have to spend a day over the road!!!! Depending on your location, work ethic, endorsements and driving record, there is a very good chance that you can go straight into a local or regional job.

Dont believe me? Go to an LTL terminal and ask around. Ask how many guys have been over the road. Sure, some have, but it seems most LTL drivers have always been LTL drivers.

Heres how it works: Everybody tells you "You HAVE to get atleast 1 year otr before local companies will even look at you"........BS!!!!

Dont misunderstand me, Im not saying every local company will hire you.......But many will! Ive been in LTL for a while, Ive seen tons of rookies come in. You might have to work the dock to start, and wait for a driving job to open up, but you will be home every night!

Im just tired of seeing all these people go to these mega carriers signing their soul away for their CDL......Heres another little secret. Many LTLs will hire you as a dockworker, and let you go out in the yard and use their equipment to practice for your CDL. This is how MANY LTL drivers got their start, myself included.

And its not even just LTL. Pepsi, 7up, Zinc, Monarch Beverage, Coca Cola, and the list goes on and on.....All of them have warehouse employees, and have their own trucks. And many of them promote from within before hiring off the street!

You can get your CDL for $200, IF YOU ARE WILLING TO WORK FOR IT!!! You can learn all the pre trip and manuevering skills on your own....Or work at a warehouse, or the dock at an LTL company, and save up money to put yourself through CDL school! You wont owe anybody a dime when its all said and done. You can go to your employer and say "Look, I took the initiative of getting my CDL on my own. Would you please consider me for a driving job when one becomes available?"

Or some places have a bid process, and when a driving job becomes available, they let the inside employees bid on the job.

There isnt always a waiting list, because many people dont get their CDL on their own anymore.

Theres even a few local companies that have their own driving schools (Estes Express Lines comes to mind...Good company)

Just something to think about. If you are young, not afraid to work, and dont think driving a forklift is beneath you...Yes, working on cold open docks sucks, but generally the pay is decent, and you are working towards a future......And want a good paying job that will most likely get you home every night, then do it! Just get your doubles/triples and hazmat endorsements.

Heres some of the large LTLs.....

UPS Freight
ABF
Dayton Freight
Conway (LTL)
YRC (Yellow/Roadway)
R&L*
Central Transport*
Fedex Freight
Estes Express Lines
Saia Motor Freight*
Vitran*
Old Dominion
USF Holland

*= These in my opinion are bottom feeder LTLs, but for a rookie, it wouldnt be bad. Get your CDL with their equipment, get some experience and then apply to a better company.

If anyone wants more information, or has any questions...PM me ######. I hate seeing all these guys being told lies about having to go over the road. Its simply not true.

I did the over the road crap when I first started out and got laid off for a while from Overnite Transportation. Its not bad but its definitely not for everybody.

Heres something else......If a job says it requires 1 year experience, whats it gonna hurt to apply???? NOTHING! Apply anyways! All they can do is say no. Ive been informed that my company advertises they require 1 year experience on their website.....We get rookies all the time! We get guys who come off the dock who have never drove before, get their CDL and get a driving job! It happens. It is not impossible.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this information. This is a very valuable post. I have been looking for something like this. what a great list.

g&cinvestments · Feb 7, 2014

Jakethebrake99 said: ↑

Saia not a bottom feeder company. Very high retention of line haul drivers. Just FYI. Worked there 5 years.
Click to expand...

What type of retention made you stay for 5 years? interesting!

1ghost · Feb 8, 2014

is there any companies that hire recent graduates for dedicated routes I would like to find a company and run 2 or 3 states be home 1 or 2 times a week or every couple of weeks I live in phx area

1ghost · Feb 8, 2014

does us xpress offer dedicated routes to recent graduates

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