Food service downtown 53 ft trailer new driver

Correction on a few things. I did food service, I believe those companies haul 48 footers not 53. It does matter. The times I went downtown it was hard, not going to lie, but that is how you learn. Not all minor accidents will get you fired. It can go on your record, but 1 wont get you fired.

They wont throw you to the wolves on the first day either. You will have a trainer with you that will teach you in and outs.

 

lol.....comma's come in handy, don't they..???

 

Don’t forget, if you pay out of pocket make sure you file a 1098-T after training. Keep some records of your expenses associated with obtaining the CDL. See if the training school is “accredited” and qualifies. MANY of these schools won’t give you a proper certification. Some prospective companies, including Superior, require a copy and that it states specifically that you’ve completeld FMCSR entry level training or higher. That’s one of the factors in hiring a recent grad w/no experience. Then just file that on your 2019 taxes. Make sure Uncle Sam appreciates you paying your own way to better yourself and career!

 

First, find a good school and/or what works best for your situation and location. Research all potentials: Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum This site has made all the difference helping me make informed decisions or at the very least, pointed me in the right areas to find the info.

Regarding schools, ask what you receive at the end of training, certificate, a handshake, a job, a blank stare, etc. Is the training one on one in the truck or shared? How many hours (not minutes) of one on one are you getting behind the wheel and in the classroom total? How many trucks does the school have that are actually roadworthy? Are they automated or manual? Will you be tested on a manual/auto? One on one makes all the difference boosting that confidence level for the CDL test. Especially helps if your trainer isn't fielding a hundred questions from 3/4 students in a busted daycab at once whilst barreling down the highway @ 72mph...

Read up! These drivers have put the time in and shared detailed experiences that definitely help make the decisions easier. Just a couple of great threads, definitely more on here.
The misadventures of a rookie tanker yanker
From Schneider to Superior
Follow the Tanker forum, too.
Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum

Some possible routes : 1.) Pay out of pocket schooling, go and apply to various companies with CDL in hand, apply online or in person, if so inclined and close proximity.
2.) Sign on with a mega, like Schneider Bulk, for the whole enchilada. Get your CDL and job all in one spot. If your set on tanker but not Hazmat you can look into Prime out of Springfield, MO. They pull food grade oils and such. Will train you for CDL and hire. Great if you're single. Will be OTR for a stretch right at the start.

*Do your research on any and all carriers. There are some hazards to look out for.

 

One more bit of advice, regarding potential employers. I was always told to call each terminal and speak with the terminal manager. That works in some cases, depends on the company. Others you may just have a recruiter to speak with. Ask them briefly how to get hired on. If the job detail states "...must have 'X' amount of time and/or a graduate of an accredited school..." ask them for a list of acceptable schools. Narrows your search if you'd like to work with that company. Some hiring policies vary from one location to the next. They may be a huge company, but each terminal may have some autonomy in the HR dept. A brief phone call could only help, but have your questions lined up beforehand and be brief. Usually pretty busy people. Make a good first impression...ya follow?

 

You will need to be able to count. And keep track of every box out that door. Any shorts or mistakes come out of your pay.

 

you're overthinking this. many many guys do foodservice delivery (for mclane, sysco, you name it) & do just fine with the only real strenuous part being the labor. yes there are tight spots but thats why you deliver on non-peak hours.

 

Well, I worked in food service. Some places are better than others, but I think there are better jobs. The main problem with food service really is the physicality of it and the long days. You can probably adjust to the physical part of it, but it's abusive to your body. The place where I worked had more injured drivers than you could ever imagine.

As a rookie doing Food Service, you're going to do all the routes no one else wants to do. Most likely they'll be the longest days the hardest work the hardest deliveries and the routes that pay the least.

There are certain LTL companies that if you work on the dock they will train you how to drive. I don't know about your area, but there are quite a few that have their own driving Academies. A lot of them are union jobs also.

You could also check into your local community colleges to see what type of driving programs they have there. A lot of times you can get the same type of a program for a lot less money at a college.

And just another word about food service. You will be a new driver with a bunch of deliveries. You have customers to deal with product you have to count paperwork to keep straight, long hours of physically working. Especially as a new driver being tired from the long hours and having new different routes trying to find directions which way do you pull in and etcetera etcetera it can be extremely challenging.

It's not that you can't do it, but I just think there are better jobs out there.