Pros and Cons --- CDL ?

Comcar has lots of local jobs. Pay isn't the best, but it's local.

If nothing local available with Comcar when you graduate, then take one of their OTR jobs until something local opens up. After 6 mos. if nothing is available then hire on with Heyl Truck Lines in South Florida; they have local, regional, OTR, but you need 6 mos. experience.

 

You can find good local jobs. Keep in mind that local work is usually more labor intensive. LTL carries are often good places to work. However most of the LTL carriers require 1 - 2 years experience. To get that experience most new drivers start out at OTR companies that will hire "CDL graduates". Some people start off at beverage distributors, grocery companies, LTL carriers and other distributors working in the warehouse and work their way into a driver job and they never drive OTR. Having a CDL will open up a lot of opportunities for you but you have to get the experience somewhere.

 

The OTR lifestyle is definatly not for everyone. It takes a certain personality type. I'm not exactly what you would call a "social butterfly", so I enjoy the solitude. I work what is essentially a regional job where I'm out 5 days and home on weekends. When I am at home, I can truly enjoy and appreciate the time with my kids and girlfriend. There's a lot of options in trucking, so you gotta find your niche. I'm my experience, at least where I live, the local jobs pay crap wages because everyone wants them and they don't have to pay good. I couldn't make near what I do running OTR.

 

You'll probably need to start out OTR to get the exp.I don't know of any local companies that have a training program.When I first started OTR ,I absolutely hated it mainly because of being alone but I got a dog and that helped tremendously.When you talk to your CDL advisor better know as a recruiter,don't believe everything he says and don't let him talk you into anything you don't feel up to doing.Their job is to recruit students and make money off you.Make sure to ask plenty of questions.

 

Pros: You get to travel all of the United States, and Canada, and see something new, and exciting.

Cons: If you have a family. They need to truly understand why you are in the trucking industry. Deregulation of the trucking industry.

 

I have a ####er spaniel/mini collie mixture.I've had her since 2002.Let me suggest getting your dog from the shelter or humane society.I paid 87.00 for tiny and its the best investment I ever made.I get all my animals from the humane society.OTR can be scarey but I tell you having a pet along makes the world of difference.Just make sure the company you start with has a pet policy.I know how these recruiters operate,they'll say anything you wanna hear and leave important things out,with schools and carriers.So I would suggest write down your questions before talking to the recruiter.Dont be afraid to interrupt him if you have a question about what hes explaining to you.