Getting into trucking. Couple questions?

I read it that way also. Ha

 

lol, Yeah, If I was that guy, I would probably stay where I am at. In what I do there is just a wee bit more than that. 18 years supervising/paying out construction contracts, and dealing with way too many other peoples moral compass, is long enough in doing what I have been doing for them. Lots of other stuff, not worth getting into, no crying. Just time for a change. You are right in the fact that anything with the state/county is not a hard living. I've never minded working hard; athlete in college, infantry, tree work, and construction. Switching back over to private won't be too hard. Think the only thing that will really sting is the PTO difference. But that is just apples and oranges. Only thing I want to make sure of is home time. I figure I would run different routes, etc... Just didn't want to show up for work at a chosen carrier and then have them tell me I am not local/intermodal as told- but OTR... that is just a no go for me at this time... Later bud.

 

his CDL at 18 will be considered a introstate CDL, once he turns 21, it will switch to a interstate CDL, if im not mistaken, there are some loopholes that would allow him to leave the state he licensed in, but probably pretty hard to get through

 

A whole lot of folks say you need to go otr first. But they lie. I have never even set foot inside a sleeper cab truck let alone driven one. There is lots of local work if you look for it. You may have to put in some effort to get that first job but it can be done for sure without having to go over the road. Heck if you play your cards right you can probably get your cdl through an employer. That's what I did. Got my b with one employer and later upgraded to an a with another. No schooling costs for me!

 

I would think its more of an insurance issue thats why companies require experience. Probably sky high rate to insure someone with no experience.

 

The insurance is higher for sure. I think a lot of it comes down to a time thing though. It takes more time and resources to get an inexperienced driver up to speed.

Case in point. We hired two guys last week to drive Rolloff trucks. One has three years experience in mixer trucks. He's already out on his own and doing a decent job albeit a bit slow which is expected at this stage in the game.

The other just got his cdl under the military waiver system and has no experience at all with manual transmissions. He is still with another guy being basically taught how to drive the trucks.

He will pick it up and do fine in the end but the first guy requires a whole lot less investment before becoming productive. I would think a lot of employers look at that fact as well.

That being said I know of at least three companies in my area that do local work and will train new drivers and one more that is otr that trains.

Oddly enough I've never even worked with anyone that has been to truck driving school. Every driver I've worked with was trained on the job. Though that seems to be less and less common nowadays.

Either way the options for local work with little or no experience do exist. You just might have to do some extra legwork to get that first chance.

 

Thanks for all the responses everyone. I do have some CDL time with a B, 16 years. Just will only have the school time with an A. Passed all my endorsement tests down at the DMV the other week. Waiting to put in the Hazmat packet in until licensed though, so I don't have to do it for the B and then the A. I am kind of hoping the B time will lessen any worries with a company insurer/HR. I should be licensed in another month or so, then I can actually find out who will take me on. I know some biggies will, but have been doing as some have said and looked at some smaller carriers and maybe some local logging outfits. It amazed me that when I did really look, how many companies are there, but just overshadowed by the biggies.. I am going to try for some smaller ones first and see what goes. Hoping the B background and decent driving test with them and a good clean background and interview will be enough to hop on with a few choices. If that doesn't work, I will go to the big ones for a shot. Will keep all posted over the month or two when any updates occur.

 

Basically same situation I'm in. Keep us updated. Btw I start 3 week course Monday and trying to figure out exactly when to start putting in apps. I feel too soon and a company wouldn't want to wait long enough to get me on. Keep us updated

 

Yup, I tend to plan, plan, then jump and do... I agree that too soon on a contact and they will either forget or dismiss. I figure the constant looking at them though will keep us in the know with who is out there and looking for us... Maybe the good Lord will time it right for both of us, and we will pass each other as a couple of newb's. Good luck, with you as well with everything.