Age 20 with class A permit

What are you looking to haul? Your best shot right now might be with construction or aggregate hauling of some sort. I am not from TX so I am not familiar with any companies out that way. As far as flatbed or van, that may be a little tougher to get into regionally. Maybe if there is a brick/block company or building material company somewhere...that would get you experience with flatbed, pallets, load balancing & configuring, tie down, etc.

 

I'd look into hauling frac sand...

 

How far are you from your 21st b-day, and are you looking to go OTR?

Your best friend is the phone book and your own car. Show up there in person. Let them know you're ready to work. Surely you'll strike out at some places, but you never know unless you try. The right attitude, and displaying the right maturity level is highly important. And you might not start off on a tractor-trailer right away, but could still have the opportunity to work your way there. I worked for a C&D hauling company in North Carolina. Couple of their drivers came right out of school with their CDLs. They'd start off on an F750 pulling a 10 ton equipment trailer. It was a stepping stone to get them where they wanted.

 

You need to turn 21. I couldn't even get a non-CDL driving job until I was 21.

I really hope you find something to get your start while you're 20. Would be nice to hear about... keep us posted on your findings.

 

Like many have said, construction is most likely your best choice. Most company's can't afford to hire until 21 due to insurance rates. But keep your head up and visit some local construction company's in your area. Even if its running a dump truck, it's a start.

 

Congrats. I know it seems like a crappy way to start (yes, it's incredibly cheesy and painfully obvious, so I'm not even going to pretend like there's any possibility of anyone believing me if I said "no pun intended"), but it's a mean to an end, which you seem well aware of. The right attitude, a good work ethic, and attention to detail will do wonders for you.
While you're at it, I would recommend you start calling prospective companies you intend to apply with and find out if they're going to count your local driving experience - some companies do not. Had problems with this myself when I was looking to get back into OTR.

 

Good to hear!! Gotta start somewhere...and if you end up not liking that particular run, you have experience to help you in the door other places. Best of luck to you and your new job!

 

congrats on the job. i worked for a local distribution company at 18, peddling ~500 peices a day off a pup trailer with a 2 wheeler 14 hours a day, at 19 I got my doubles staying instate, and after I turned 21 i started to heavy haul + end dump. A slight cut in pay but I start at 6 am instead of 2 am and work 10 hours not 14.