Better earning potential, Dry-Bulk or Regional Van?

Pnuematic should pay better, but tough to get on pulling pnuematic when you are just out of school. Tough but not impossible, dont waste time just sending resumes, show up in person well dressed with copy of your resume and your mvr in hand. With the continuing shortage of drivers many companies are reviewing their hiring policies and terminal managers have more of a say in potential candidates. Do not go in wearing sweat pants and flip flops, go in looking professional and you may find doors may open if you present yourself proffesionaly.

 

tankforlife is right on target with his advice.
The best money is in tankers.
Here are two with terminals in Charlotte:

Bulkmatic
A&R Transport

Here's how the pay is in trucking; starting with the highest annual pay down to the lowest annual pay:

#1 - Tanker or tanker/hazmat
#2 - reefer
#3 - flatbed
#4 - dry van

 

I believe that Tidewater Transit has a terminal in Charlotte also, they do both liquid & pnuematic. Pretty well run operation, a little on the low side for pay, but if they will train you might be something to check into.

 

Tankstar has a dry bulk facility in Winston-Salem.
It's under the "Schwerman" name.

 

Dry bulk over the years has become shorter and shorter hauls. Most business is now 250-300 miles from loading location. Of course there are exceptions to that, but most pnuematic tank work in plastics falls into this category. So you probably have a better chance of being home if running pnuematic pulling plastics.

 

Check cement companies. Can haul tanker dry bulk cement powder to construction job sites or to ready mix companies. Cement companies don't usually own these tankers, but will know which companies pick up from them. Won't make as much as regional, but will be home every night.

You still mention dry van regional; in your area check Averitt for dry van, & reefer companies for regional. Look at "Questions from new drivers" and click on "Companies that hire new drivers" for some good reefer & dry van companies with regional opportunities. You will make more with reefers.

 

This is good advice, I would only add a couple of things. Before you go in, loose any piercings, and if you have any tattoos, cover them up the best that you can. Also, be yourself, don't pretend to know something that you don't know, this "ALWAYS" stands out to someone who is well seasoned. Present yourself exactly as you are, someone entering the industry that is wanting to learn the industry and and is willing to do a good job while at it.

As far as being home every weekend, a good rule of thumb is this, when you have your heart set on wanting to go to Florida, the freight will be going to Maine, if you have your heart set on going Texas, the freight is going to be going to South Dakota, wanting to go home for the weekend, there will be a customer call in on Friday afternoon with a load going to the exact place that you didn't want to go back to for a while, and it needs to leave now. This is going to be what you can expect to find as a new entrant to the industry, and as well as a new employee at the company. If you set your mind that this is the way that you know that it is going to turn out as you learn the industry, and you can deal with that, then your are well on your way to making it in this business.

Just as tank4life has stated, go in in person, if the person in charge sees potential in you, and that you are someone that is willing to work and has a professional demeanor, if he is needing someone, he will pull the strings necessary to get you onboard, I have seen this happen all through the years. The appearance that you make when you walk in the door is the appearance he is going to feel like you will present to his customers. Ask yourself this question do I look like someone that this person will want to send to his customers. I hope you do well.