Finally did it!

Congratulations on the baby.

There is local work out there, you just have to dig.

I was lucky in that I only had to go OTR for about one month before I moved into something local.

I found the job by pounding the pavement around an industrial park near my house while on a reset. It didn't pay very well.

I kept it long enough to be eligible for the good local companies: EPES, SAIA, Old Dominion, etc.

OTR is not mandatory even though recruiters at CDL school tell you it is.

Good luck man.

 

You could try FEDEX GROUND linehaul. I started there in MN. I ran team dedicatedwhich definitely helps you know what you're income will be and budget. Home 2 days a week. By the time baby gets older you'll have experience and maybe find something suitable. Good luck and congratulations.

 

The one thing you have going for you is the location you live. Texas is a main hub for most trucking companies as far as freight goes. It can also be considered a part of both western and central regional so that will open so many regional opportunities.

With the 6 week training it is required to have 200 hours behind the wheel with a trainer according to DOT if I remember correctly. If you get with a good company you can take that out in 3 - 4 weeks.

Finding a local position that will hire you right out of school could be hard, but it is that time of the year and demand is picking up so that is in your favor. I would put in apps with everyone in your area, all they can say is no.

Figure out what type of trucking you want to be in (which sounds like flatbed) and try getting into it before any other type. Why do something that is your backup if you know your wanting to do something else? A good way to get a lot of info is go to the truck stops around you and talk to the drivers.

Driving regional is a good way to get started and be able to be home every 1 - 4 weeks. I drove regional and was home every 3 weeks primarily due to them not having freight in my area. That is one thing you will want to ask, if they have a freight lane through where you live. If they do then you will get home not only easier but also more frequently. I now work for someone in my state and I live on their main freight lane so I am home at least every week and taking time off every other week. The only bad thing about starting regional is a lot of companies want you to have at least 6 month with all 48 states. That is also something to consider.

You can make good money in this field especially after you get a year or two experience. I make enough for my wife to not have to work if she wanted to, but we don't have children together so she wants to work. You will miss a lot of milestones in your children's lives but you will be able to also make their lives better because it is way to common for both parents to work to make it. If you put the time and find a good job to allow your wife to stay home with your children instead of someone else raising your children I would hop on that IMO.

I wish you luck and hope you find a good fit for you.

 

Your welcome, I was just sitting here at home watching my wife clean lol. She is really OCD lol. I have learned when she gets a wild hair up her butt and wants to clean it is best to just let her do her thing.

 

Keep in mind, companies are bending their own hiring rules these days. Ignore any "experience required" and apply anyway. For example, Reinhart Foodservice has one year experience required, but in reality they hire drivers with only a cdl permit. There's others the same way.

Old Dominion hires new cdl grads.
McLane Company
Reinhart Foodservice
Maverick Transportation - home weekends for flatbed drivers
Western Dairy Transport
Lily
Sygma Network

Go knock on doors in the industrial area. Keep in mind though that local jobs don't usually pay much.

 

I don't know of local work for Averitt near Temple, TX. BUT, Avrt is very good about "home on weekends" and now hires recent grads for OTR. I've been with the company for many years and can complain is necessary, but they are a good company, with excellent benefits and growing. If you or others consider you a "boy scout" you would probably be a good match. They have dedicated accounts that may be local enough to you to be home daily. The company calls "dedicated" as "Supply Chain Solutions". You serve one customer, which can be like OTR or local, depending on what that customer needs drivers. Some SCS driver are on a regular multi-state schedule and some SCS drivers for Avrt are home everynight. The company has some sort of "terminal" or "Service Center" in Tyler, but that's 170 miles away.If you were OTR that's about 3 hour drive to Temple after you get to the yard.

The company now only requires 6 mos in current job, assuming you have H.S. or G.E.D., before you are eligible to transfer to other divisions (other dedicated, flatbed, shuttle, etc.). Check out the Averitt section of Motor Carriers Questions. http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/forums/averitt.161/

 

Yeah local work Coke, Pepsi, Milk, Beer and Water Companies as well gasoline tanker if your interested in that kind of thing. Garbage truck companies ever thought about working for the city or state government?

 

I have raised 4 children and I am now on the grand children. The idea of spending time at home to help out is way over rated. Out two weeks and back for 3 days is plenty of time. Most of the time the little things sleep. Have your wife take a picture and send it to you. Make good money and get the kid a future.

Now you probably understand why I am three times divorced. Congrads on the baby.