I am new to driving

Hey I responded to the other post you made. It looks like you're around Modesto. I would pass on DOT and Northern since you are expecting a baby. Nothing will kill your ability to work in this job like being away from a newborn baby. I am from the same area and was in the same exact situation when I began my career about 4 years ago now...

What I would do, is take advantage of the agriculture season coming up in what, like 1 or 2 months. Go apply with Antonini Fruit on B Street in Modesto as soon as you get your CDL; and if you can pass the road test, you're going to land a seasonal, local job hauling tomatoes. Get all endorsements, you need doubles for this job.

I would say, you are guaranteed to get the job if you can pass the drive test and drug test and all that.

Antonioni would give you a foot in the door with local options; their main terminal is in Lathrop and they haul intermodal containers year-round. But here's a secret man, if you run agricultural products seasonally, most employers know that you were driving that truck up to 16 hours every single day and you worked very hard to get where you need to be. Many employers will say, "we require one year experience but since you were hauling tomatoes we can give you a shot."

This was my career path dude, I hauled agricultural products first and got enough experience to be considered by more competitive companies. After that I landed a union tanker job and then got into hauling fuel. I'm on my way to make about $80-$90k per year in about 9 more months; and it all started at the bottom. I have never laid over or spent a single day of my life over the road in a sleeper. If you're a family man, you should take this advice and run with it.

Good luck.

 

Buddy of mine worked for nrt recently. This is what he said,"They have old peterbuilt trucks with coffin sleepers. might be a problem if youre a big guy considering how small the sleeper is. They are cheap when it comes to equipment. However the pay is ok. About $800 to $1000 a week."

 

Dot foods I've heard they are an excellent company as well.....word of mouth. If it was me dot foods would be my first option dot has nicer equipments and more options such as local, regional,team. I wouldn't work for nrt but doesn't mean they're a bad company....just my preference.

 

Congratulations on the baby