Possible to be a part-time or occasional trucker?

I think maybe first a evaluation of some type at a medical facility might be order,

 

Have you considered driving motor coach? There are lots of tour companies that hire part time drivers and you'll get to travel to a lot of fun and interesting places. Now I've got to admit it ain't a get rich quick scheme, but it sounds like you already have a great "day job" to pay the bills.

I am actually a CPA by a trade for more than 30 years but have been driving motorcoach for over a year now. I am part time but only if you consider 50+ hours a week to be part time time. But I love doing it and that's all that really matters. The backgrounds of our other drivers are very diverse. A lot of very smart people who are also "fulfilling the urge" that you speak of. We have insurance claim supervisors, IT specialists, engineers and former air traffic controllers is just to name a few. It is absolutely a great job if you enjoy driving, travel and being around people. Plus you get to sleep in very nice hotels every night you're on the road.

As I mentioned the pay rate isn't great but we like to joke that we "make it up in volume". But that is actually a very true comment because we get paid for a lot of downtime and get to do fun things with our groups. For example, today I got paid to watch a national high school archery tournament, go to an indoor trampoline park and attend a minor-league baseball game in Louisville KY.

The company I work for also offers paid training, and will help any new drivers obtain their CDL.

All I can say is I absolutely love my job!!!! The money is secondary at this point, and sounds like that may be the same case for you.

Just a thought....

 

We have part time drivers, some will drive one of our straight trucks and we also have a F550 they make deliveries in also. All have full time cdl driving jobs though. School, I don't think you need to take a course that long and don't spend that much money.

 

I've seen Schneider and Knight Transportation run ads for OTR '14 on and 7 off' and '7 on and 7 off'.

 

My company hires part-timers...not in Pa.......but it's local stuff and they don't get the same benefits that the full-timers get. With the driver shortage it would be worth checking around. Doubt you'll have an assigned truck and bet most of it is finishing other's loads so they can keep rolling or just delivering short loads out and back in a day.

 

I agree with the poster who told you that a community college is the way to go. That or an applied technical school. No point in spending thousands of dollars and still not be really "trained."
I worked "casual" for a couple of different outfits, right out of school. In fact, I took one rather short trip with a "trainer" and was then kicked loose on my own, running between St. George, UT, and Denver.
BUT that was back in 1996 or 1997. Things have "tightened up" considerably since then, particularly with the carrier's insurance companies.

 

Well, I wouldn't discount anything until you have made some contacts around your area. Your idea of an o/o sounds good to me, if you can find one willing and able to put you to work.
Now I see you are in the north bay area. Don't know what kind of luck you will have there. I'd be willing to bet that if you go to school and get your CDL, that you could do some farm work over in the valley. Don't know if you would be willing to go that far to find a part time job, though.

 

Lots of driver staffing places around. They pay hourly and everything on your end is run thru them. So you are a temp at the company's you work for. Pay is hit or miss. Some pay 15 an hour and some pay more. What is nice is that you work on your terms. I am not sure what the experience level needed is for them though, since I have never worked for one, just worked with some of the drivers.

 

Lots of opportunity around Louisville doing the straight truck class b deal. Mainly subcontracted from the post office and the ups hub.

It is the third biggest cargo airport in the world after all.

I know a guy that runs stamps to st Louis for $18 an hour. Usually takes em 10 hours (he drives only 4 the other guy drives 4 and hour to unload them)

Not a bad 2 night weekend gig. 5 hours of actual work for 200 gross a night.