About to turn 21, need advice to start trucking (Missouri)

Never start off at the bottom of the barrel buddy. Takes longer to climb out. Start with the "best" starter company. Do not entertain the crappy companies. Youre just prolonging your start at a profitable career.

 

You might try applying at some of the soda or beer companies and asking them about training. Most of the time it's free if you sign a year contract with them.

 

Both companies provide lodging and meals while in their cdl school.

 

^^^ If he's moving here to Ohio to stay with his mom eventually, none of the beverage companies will hire you without a year / usually TWO , of CDL-A experience. Fact. Ask @Mike2633. Prime DOES hire out of Ohio, and Tanking IS the way to go, for the money. [ or Flatbed, of course; it's just not my thing! I'm not 21 anymore, by far. . .]

 

The food companies may take you out of school um, I did get a 21 year old hired on at GFS, but he had, had some experience with Swift. Well I let him use my employee number as a reference, he had his license though GFS doesn't train anyone to get there license your on your own for that. However 21 wouldn't stop them I do not think from hiring you as long as you pass all there requirements.

There is a Coors Light distributor in Columbus and Glenwillow,Ohio that hires helpers and they will train you to get your CDL if you are serious. They will hire young guys 21 and train you, but you'll have to work as a helper first, probably even do a tour of duty in the warehouse and probably even climb the warehouse ranks a little bit it's going to be work okay.

Another company now you might be to young for these guys, but Nestle Direct Store Distribution. We share a yard with Nestle DSD and I see there guys from time to time training for CDL test. They hire both Class A and B and I see them train both so Nestle might be legit Nestle is a very very very big company I would figure Nestle might be a good start probably if you do your job right keep your noise clean are willing to relocate there may be some real big up swing potential at Nestle bigger then working for a mega or beer company. Nestle has DSD they have there own shuttles and truck load I'm sure Nestle has all kinds of driving stuff available. Nestle has 2 big plants right here in North East, Ohio plus a DSD yard stuff for them comes from all over the place. I think probably there Class B guys make $15.00 an hour and I don't know what there Class A guys make, but it's mostly on the DSD end delivering to grocery stores and c-stores and CVS, Rite Aid stocking the places with Edys Ice Cream and Digerno Pizza and HagenDaz and other frozen foods. However and I don't know Nestle's culture never worked for them, but might be able to start in the DSD level and work up to truck load transfer or something.

 

Right now dead of summer with how much beer is flowing companies are looking hard for good drivers I worked for a coors distributer in Missouri that's how I got my cdl. Look for the lowest paying one there always hurting the most lol

 

^^ we drink a lot of beer here in Ohio as well, in Canoe weather, LoL. . . it's just REALLY iffy. Recall, the O/P stated he was moving to Ohio to live with his mom. Can't speak for other states, but ......here? They may be afraid that the 'barely legals' will leave with the loot, heck i dunno. but as @Mike2633 said, he MAY be get into GFS on an upswing. It's the biggest food delivery gig here in Ohio.

 

@RJ2500 I got my CDL when I was 21, it's not as difficult to find a job as you are being led to believe. I had companies calling me the same or next day after applying.

From the companies you listed, Prime/Roehl > Swift >>>>>>>>>>>>> CR England

 

I worked for a Coors distributor here in Ohio Coors and Great Lakes those were the two big one's out of our warehouse. All that Great Lakes Christmas Ale, what a pain. The place I worked for there now hiring sign never comes down it's a permanent fixture.

 

^^ but for . . . a total newbie? Perhaps .... not last I heard; thanx for the input tho, man! Hope the O/P comes back at some point, LoL~! We got a lot of good info here so far 4 him, as I see!!!