Waaay Out of the Hiring Zone - Advice?

Hello Truckers, I’m training for my CDL at a community college upstate near the end of the year. Pursuing OTR flatbed is my plan. My challenge is that I live in Key West, Florida, which is waaay out of the hiring zone of the companies that interest me, and most companies in general... I’ll already have to travel over 150 miles north for trucking school.

I’m not tied to the area, and would most likely spend any home time elsewhere, but I fear my present location would disqualify me right off the bat from being hired.

I’m pretty sure I’d have to list another “residence” on my new license to be in the zone so to speak. Any advice? Thanks.

 

That would be the usual course of action, but it’s not practical at this time for me to do that. I’ll need to hit the road, make a little money, then move.

Maybe I’ll get a UPS Store box somewhere and fake it.

 

Good advice. I am single, and a close relative in Key West can look after my things for a while.

My only reservation with school recruiters is that I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into choosing from whatever carriers happen to show up. But you’re right, it couldn’t hurt to discuss my situation.

 

That’s pretty much how I see it. Technically my name hasn’t been on a lease or utility bill in years. I could go anywhere. But on paper, I’m a resident of Key West, Florida.

You’re right, I could pack a bag and go anywhere like the family in Grapes of Wrath, but I don’t even own a car. I’m shopping for a van to live out of while I go to school.

For better and worse, things have changed since the Great Depression. Prospective employers like you to have an actual street address, and so does the DMV if they’re going to issue a license.

 

Thanks, I haven’t much considered Melton but am pleased to know it could be an easy option.

My license would be Florida until I transfer it to another state, but I’ve considered borrowing a good friend’s west coast address to claim as my base for administrative purposes.

I guess it comes down to how far a company wants to go to verify a given address.