Dallas noob looking for a local gig

Sanitation Truck Driver Trainee
City of Dallas - Dallas, TX
Sanitation Truck Driver Trainee
Click here for more information > Apply On Company Site
This is a trainee position, under direct supervision, in-training, through formal instructions and on-the-job training, to learn how to collect trash, operate heavy equipment, transport refuse equipment, and other materials within the city limits to the landfill or the City's Recycling Program.

 

Concrete mechanic, pump operator /driver will train
C&C Concrete Pumping - Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
$12 - $30 an hour

 

Momentum Fuel Transport - Dallas, TX
$60,000 - $70,000 a year
Class A CDL with Tank and X endorsement
Graduate from an approved CDL truck driver training school with in the last 90 days of application.
Local gas hauling company that hauls fuel to local gas stations. we only run the Dallas and Fort worth area. The shift we are hiring for is from 3:00 pm to 3:00 am.

 

Lepton1,

Good points! Great reply!!! Yes, maybe we are brothers from another mother!

I'd be scared for any rookie driving tanks and flatbeds. Better to start in a van and work your way up, but, I can't agree with you more, if he can get on soon doing tanks and flatbeds, it is going to be extremely valuable exp. Open bore tank...holy crap, you don't know what that feels like until the first time you have to upshift, or come to a panic stop! Try doing it in a city like Chicago...that is where I started with them...but, I also had 13 years driving under my belt before I did. We had some real POS trucks too. You are absolutely right, you really learn how to shift smoothly, and, heaven forbid the tank is not fully loaded...we used to have multi-purpose tanks that could hold up to 7,500 and 8,000 gallons hauling loads that were between 5,500 and 6,000 gal. No bueno. Just driving down a smooth road at highway speeds, that load is still moving, just to remind you, it's there!

With that said, there is something to be said about putting a 53' trailer in a tight hole on the first shot, in the dark, in the rain, without assistance!

The oil fields are a definite possibility, I know they are back and going like gang-busters, so, maybe they will take a chance on a rookie, but, man, what a TOUGH tough place to earn those stripes. My advice to the newbie is, go slow, don't let ANYTHING frustrate you or let anyone push you to go faster than what you think you can handle. Oil fields are hard enough places to work WITHOUT driving. But, the money can be extremely enticing!

I like what @Chinatown posted. And, while I was away from my computer, I thought about this as an alternative.

My cousin does this exact work in and around Chicago. Good union job.

He went to truck driving school and started with Roehl a few years ago. He somehow managed to get on doing flatbeds with Roehl, which surprised the crap out of me...but, he was no ordinary newbie, career change in his mid-40's, so, I am sure he showed a lot of ambition and brains...not to say that our friend Gabe here isn't all that and then some! He showed a lot of ambition just posting up here!

He ran for Roehl regionally and OTR for about a year, and then got on doing roll-off for a waste company, I don't know which one, but, it's pretty good hourly rate and full benefits, OT, etc.

BUT...he is NOT driving a semi now...he is doing a 3 and 4 axle roll-offs. They do have some short-wheel base roll offs and, they also have some 48' scrap, recycle and trash haulers, and that does pay way better, but, you have to do your time to move up the ladder. It's all about kissing ### and seniority.

I don't imagine he well ever quit, but, when it comes time to fill out a job app, they will ask how many miles and years you have driving different types of trucks. A straight truck is not going to qualify for semi experience, even though he can say he's had a Class A CDL. But, if the pay at these waste haulers and opportunity for advancement are good, maybe its a moot point.

I will say, things are getting different in the past few years, companies are desperate for good drivers. Maybe there are more opportunities for rookies to get local jobs.

I just want to warn Gabe, you don't want to get off on the wrong foot. Making mistakes can be costly. Not only cost you money, cost your job, could cost you your career! Maybe you don't have that fiery, deadly wreck, but, you might get into enough "situations" that get recorded, you could find yourself unemployable.

DON'T do anything you are not comfortable doing. Granted, you need to challenge yourself, but, don't get overwhelmed. At the same time, do everything they ask you to do. Once you land that job, do not refuse work without a very justifiable cause. You want to be the guy they can count on. The one that gets along with everyone, and is a "team" player. Just be ready to say, "I don't feel comfortable doing THAT!" With that said, take the extra time when and wherever you can to LEARN how to do those things!

To date, you have experience driving a semi with, more than likely, an empty trailer behind it. That is not the same as being out in traffic, with a heavy load. Practice is the only thing that is going to make you better.

When I first started I didn't know how to shift for anything, hell, I could barely get the clutch out smoothly! I didn't know how to back up a semi let alone "alley" park and bump a dock.

My first day hauling my first load all by myself, it was a load of empty cans in a 48' trailer. I drove past the town I was supposed to be in by a good 10 miles (the days before GPS technology), but, I was still on time, I left 30 min earlier than I needed!!! Day 2, still hauling empty cans, I hooked my passenger side door on a support beam in an inside loading dock on the bright sunny AM, sun directly to my back, I couldn't see jack, tried to pull up to straighten out without getting out and looking first, ripped the door off my trailer. I had to put it in the trailer by myself (it was heavy!), drive down the interstate a few hours and take it to a shop to have it repaired, tail between my legs. The whole time, drivers passing by on the CB wondering what happened to my door! "Hey driver, is that a new way to vent your trailer?"

Take your lumps in stride and most important thing, LEARN from them. You'll get plenty of opportunity to get them. Just swallow, breath and try to not let it bother you.

 

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores - Hutchins, TX 75141
Gemini Motor Transport - owned by Love's Truck Stops.
Click here for more information > Apply On Company Site
Read carefully -

• 2 years of verifiable over-the-road driving experience OR certification from accredited truck driving academy.
• 

 

Central Transport - sometimes hires new cdl grads as "driver trainees"
Positions Available:
Local Line Haul Drivers (Night Shift): Dedicated Home Daily routes hauling freight to terminals in our network. This position is a combination of driving and dock work.

• Line Haul Drivers earn $25.00 per hour for dock work

• Local Pick Up and Delivery Drivers earn $23.00 per hour to start
  
  • $10,000 Sign-On Bonus for Road Drivers
    
    • $5,000 Sign-On Bonus for City Drivers
    
    

All qualified drivers are invited to apply in person.
You can do so Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Our facility is located at:
4500 Irving Blvd
Dallas, TX 75247
**To help expedite the hiring process please provide a current DOT medical card and long form when you come to apply.

 

United Parcel Service - Dallas/Irving
Click here to apply > Apply On Company Site
Shift: Sunrise (6:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
UPS Freight is hiring individuals to work as full-time Dockworkers with a CDL license. This position that involves the physical moving of freight into and out of trailers in a timely manner, by handling the freight manually, or using a forklift or hand truck. Forklift experience is not required but preferred. This position also involves the driving of a tractor-trailer and the daily pick up and delivery of freight from commercial and residential customers, as assigned Dockworkers with CDL are required to meet driver appearance standards when making deliveries to customer sites.

Candidates must be at least 21 years of age; must be able to read, write and speak the English language; must have a valid, Class A CDL, Haz-Mat, Twin Trailer, and Tanker endorsements required;

 

Check out Pavestone/Quikrete......They hire rookies and have several yards in the DFW area.

 

UPS Freight - Line haul driver - $ .7042 cpm.
Click here to apply > Apply On Company Site
UPS Freight is hiring individuals to work as Full Time Road Drivers in a growing freight market. This position involves driving of a tractor-trailer over the road as a Linehaul driver. There are immediate openings for these positions including meet and return to domicile, travel to locations and perform dock functions and return home, as well as Sleeper opportunities.

UPS Freight is offering an industry leading compensation and benefit program with top rate mileage earning $.7042 per mile. UPS Freight has a fully funded pension plan paid for by the company and industry leading healthcare packages for full time Road Drivers.

 

TransAm may still have a dedicated run from Dallas to Houston and return, every day.
It's a salary job that pays $900.00 weekly.