Career's over before it even started...

I just remembered this...Check with your local non-profit food bank. Food banks are usually looking for drivers and will take someone out of school. I was offered one with my local food bank, but then got the offer to haul fuel so I had to pass.

It doesn't pay great, but you'll probably get a full days work in and usually there are very good benefits. It wouldn't be a bad place to start. You get to learn the ropes, and at the same time you get to help other people.

 

No worries! Good luck and be safe.

 

#5 in my rule book of truck driving.... Never take too much stock in what others say and make your own career path.
Plenty of local jobs for newbies...depending on where you live.

 

Local is right. Containers, Bulk Cement etc. Run till you cannot hardly get back home to your bed at night.

Don't worry. You'll get it. Gotta look at everyone and anyone who has a truck big enough for you.

 

Good advice but also let me add...Goodwill industries also is looking for local drivers usually.

 

I forgot about them. They actually have their own truck driving schools too. I think two in TX, one in ATL and I can't remember where else. They're supposed to be good schools too. Like three months of training before you graduate, as opposed to two weeks and off to the races. They're not your typical CDL mill.

Hey no worries, I was in the same position as you a couple of years ago and got a lot of great advice and ideas off this site, so I would like to at least try and give back.

Try the Goodwill and other spots too. I think Salvation Army even uses Class A drivers. Don't limit yourself either, If they ask you to drive the bobtail for a couple of weeks while you break in on the Class 8, then go for it.

Who knows? Maybe you'll like it and stay. Money isn't always the main attraction when it comes to a job.

There are some great Class B jobs that pay as much as Class A, and almost all of them are local. Look into marine fueling, or airport fueling operations for a lot of high-paying Class B jobs. If you don't mind getting a little dirty with changing filters and lubing ball joints, then fleet fueling services are usually high-paying gigs. Again, call the local fuel-hauling companies. A lot of them like to train in their way of doing things, so they like having a blank slate to work with.

I used to work in sales for a company named Aramark. They do managed services, everything from uniform and industrial/hotel laundry, to food services for stadiums, convention centers and even prisons. They have a huge fleet, and most of their jobs are local. Check them and similar companies out too. There's might be something for you in that end of the biz.

This industry is not OTR or bust, that's for sure. You'll find something. And once you get a year or so of experience in, you can pretty much decide where you want to work, not the other way around. Hang in there.

 

Salvation Army