Considering Trucking as Career Switch

I'm not going to say it will be imposssible to accomplish all of this, but I've never seen it. Most companies, especially the major carriers are more than likely going to require you to go OTR, especially if they sponsor the CDL training. You can get hired on with paid CDL training as a new driver all day as long as your criminal and driving record are good. But they all require OTR as far as I know. Maybe someone else has some better knowledge around your area to help you out. I'm in Tennessee. If your financial situation would allow, your best bet would be to get a loan and find a community college or school in your area that is cheap enough and go get your CDL on your own. But if not, I would say you may have to bite the bullet and enjoy the open road for about a year. Either way, good luck to you.

 

The way i did it was sign on with a company and did my year with them until school was paid off. They took $50 weekly from my check. Anybody can do a year.

 

That year goes quick. Or, if you're willing to do some real work, reach out to moving companies, landscapers, asphalt and gravel companies... Some of them will take you on as a laborer and train you to drive and either send you to school, or just teach you and let you test for your CDL in their truck. Moving could be a decent job around philly, but most likely they're going to want you to run to FL, because EVERYONE moves to FL from here.

 

Remember that long road trip you took when you were little? It was like all week!!

Do you think you can do that everyday?...Its a hard job..Its like if someone said they will pay you 200 bucks if you can sit in a chair and do nothing for 10 hours...the catch, he will have a gun to your head, and if you doze or drift he kills you....would you take that job? same thing sorta

The student company school program idea horrible...the last last option man, please!!!

Go to your county assistance center, they will put you through a school and pay for it, find a old school kinda place, not a new trucking supercenter academy kinda crap...Find an owner operator to work with...do all the written tests on your own, then find a truck for the test..craigslist up someone who will let you test in thier truck for a hundred bucks...rent one from penske or hertz...
read the book, and memorize the test questions at cdlexam dot com...easy breezy, get all the endorsements!! the writtens will cost ya $150 to $180 with the hazmat, and the test questions you pay for online...
Some schools are like 15k!! Its a joke racket scam!!!
If you gotta have school, find one a bunch of old grumpy drivers operate...they are 3rd party tester approved also, they'll teach you to drive, and get you the licence, 3 or 4k

If you do the writtens on your own, you can pay a thousand bucks for a one week road course at them schools...

Def not a company school...school on your own and get hired as a no exp driver

 

WIOA program, government money that will pay for a private CDL school fully, no need for a contract, for more information go to your local unemployment office.

 

As a general rule, you'll have to go on the road for your first year.. but after that you should be able to get a local job that pays well without too much trouble. Think of it as an apprenticeship.

 

^ ^ ^
This is good advice.

Also, yes there are regional jobs where you stay in the Northeast and companies that will provide cdl training and give you these jobs.
Old Dominion - I read this company now has started some type of cdl school, but don't know more than that. This would be the best company.

Roehl Transport
Schneider - just started a cdl school.

There's plenty of high paying tanker jobs around Phily. These jobs pay around $60K - $65K for a new driver and with 2 yrs. experience it's possible to make $100K.
If you can swing the private school that tanker companies accept, go that route.
The Schneider school might put you in their tanker division if you talk to them about it.

You will need:
original birth certificate
original social security card-not laminated
passport card-some tanker companies require this for loads to Canada
TWIC ID Card - tanker companies will require this. Google for nearest TWIC office.

If you can get funding for private school, Superior Carriers and Trimac Transportation might hire you. Otherwise, start with Schneider tanker division.
Start practicing stair step excercises because you will be required to pass a heart rate test for tanker work.

 

Might impossible right now the way oil is tanking but you could try Shlumberger oil field service company. They train you in house and pay for your CDL testing. When I was there you had no obligations to stay with them after you get your CDL. Good luck

 

Leasing ain't the best idea for everyone. ^^