Graduation in a week - still unsure of what direction to head in

I went w a tiny local company doing city runs in the area. I drive by the Dynamic and Maverick lots a zillion times daily and am content with being a junkyard dog locally. I’m not at all into a truck lifestyle - I just wanted to support my lifestyle post divorce.

I am quite happy and like what I do most days. It took some getting used to physically and in learning how to deal with all of these guys. A few of them are good allies and a few are new best friends. It can be brutal, I am out of the truck more than I am in it. I hauled 11 coils today.

I’m good with being home every afternoon. I do realize this is not ‘real’ trucking. I relocate coils and honk my air horn at every opportunity. Lol - that’s why I paid for my CDL - air horn, oh the thrill. I’ve yet to be weighed or see DOT, the real stuff.

In talking w the company drivers as in sleep-in-the-truck and tarp on sunny days flatbed drivers I am making more than competitive pay. Especially for a new girl.

It’s really rough at first though. Completely alien to anything I’ve ever done. Now it’s brainless. It’s not an adventure and it’s not for everyone but I’m content knowing every bump in the road.

 

I drive a complete POS thing - but it hauls ###. Lol. I love that 20 yr old hussy.

No naps local work tho. I don’t have time to answer texts, use the restroom or eat - constant circles until I clock out.

I really lucked out with my local family owned gig. But it is hustling suicide coils flatbed. So not so lucky while you get acclimated and even more brutal once you’ve figured it out. No napping at docks. Average wait to unload is 5m.

My advice to anyone who is set on local is patience. Before you’re out of school there are recruiters calling. I almost did it. Local companies are literally begging for drivers and don’t have the budget or resources for recruiters (but you’re not driving much locally, you’re in a tailspin in and out of truck lol).

As bad as I make it sound - I do luv it and wouldn’t trade places w @BrandonCDLdriver . I don’t have to pee in bottles and can have a bubble bath every night.

 

Oh gosh - @BrandonCDLdriver I wasn’t saying YOU did. Never! I just see a lot of pee bottles and don’t have the time or equipment to pee in one. Lol.
I am sorry.
Local and OTR are individual choices. I am happy and so are you.

 

I truly apologize for responding in a hurry - I realize my rushed excited answer implied you peed in bottles. Very rude. I am ashamed.

I like what I do and you like what you do.

It’s possible to get a job locally without experience as my previous mentors on this forum advised - but it is not easy or instant. So chin-up future newbie local buttercups!