Finally did it!

Please bare with me and try to make it to the end as you might have some great insight for me. Thanks in advance.

I made a post similar to this about a month or 2 ago, when I was debating about finally getting my CDL after years of contemplating it. Well, I finally fell into a financial situation that allowed me to go to a private CDL school and I'm currently 2 and a half weeks in. It's been an interesting experience and I've actually caught on a lot quicker than I expected. On day one of driving my instructor (who has 25 years experience) actually thought I was a former driver that was there for a refresher due to how quickly I picked up the actual driving portion. But enough of that.

I need some of the usual blunt, knowledgeable opinions from all the guys and gals here. My wife is currently 8 months pregnant, and we're expecting out first son late July, very early August and while I know this wasn't the best time to pursue my CDL, it was the only option. But I'd rather get it out of the way now, versus trying to go to school all day for 4 weeks right after my son is born, THEN trying to find a job. If I play my cards right I should have a job right around the time he's born if all goes to plan.

Now, of course I want to be home as much as possible, but countless time spent researching has left me very aware of how hard it can be to get a job local right out of CDL school. SO, being that I obviously want regular home time, what would be a good avenue of work to pursue in a more "local" nature that might take a new CDL graduate? Should I just go EVERYWHERE and knock down doors trying to get hired? I know a lot of local outfits have different insurance that makes it more difficult to hire someone on with a CDL and "no experience" so if that doesn't work, what would we be some good regional companies that have a lot of freight in my area that could get me home a couple days a week? I live in Temple, Tx and I'm only about 2 miles from all of the distribution centers out on industrial boulevard right off I-35. I know that'd be great for a lot of companies that run regional dry van and reefer but I'm also interested in flatbed. I know it's work but I'm a very fit individual and if a company offered "tarp pay" I'd be willing to jump in. My ultimate goal one day would be tanker work of some sort running a day cab unless I really like pulling flats or something else. My buddy did get lucky and landed a job at Old Dominion with only a couple of months experience but I think that was one of those "luck of the draw" situations. SO below are my requirements.

Requirements:
1. Local work of any type that would be considered experience after a year. (Not sure if anything like concrete work with a straight truck counts as experience?)

OR

2.Regional company that will have me home weekly with a lot of freight in my area (Temple,Tx)
3. Less then 6 weeks out OTR with a trainer. (I'm not trying to be a super trucker because I'm certainly NOT. But I don't see myself needing an entire 6 weeks OTR to figure our how to use common sense and plan things accordingly) I've only driven for a week and a half and I'm already proficient at double clutching, floating, skip shifting, drop n hook, sliding tandems, 45 degree backing etc, etc,. I do pick things up exceptionally fast and I think a few weeks "probably 4" since I see that often is all I would need to learn other things like trip planning, qualcom etc.
4.Manual Transmissions

Sorry for the long post but I've been doing my best to make lists for both categories but I didn't figure it would hurt to inquire here as a lot of my searches left me with more questions then answers.

Thanks, Dave

 

I definitely plan to see if he can help me get my foot in the door as he's been there for a couple of years now and seems to really like it.

 

Thanks Redbeard!

 

Anyone have any insight on companies that would meet my goals regarding the current area I live in with regards to regional as a backup plan?