How hard is it to find a LOCAL trucking job with daily hometime after some experience

It's becoming more and more of a myth that you need to start out OTR to "pay your dues" or "get experience" to get some coveted local gig. Lately, local companies are just as desperate for drivers as long haul outfits are. Also there is some evidence to suggest even the bottom feeder OTR companies are starting to pay better...they know they're competing for the same people as the local outfits and frankly have no choice but to sweeten the deal with better pay and working conditions. So it's starting to boil down to asking yourself what you want to do rather what do I have to do. I only experienced the road for 6 months before I hung it up for a local job, but it was priceless experience and memories.

 

Not sure about your area but you should do fine looking for a local job with that kind of experience. Check out Fedex and UPS (particularly their freight divisions) as well as other LTL carriers. (Old Dominion, SAIA, Conway, R&L, ABF, Averitt, Estes Express...etc) Every terminal will be different so you'd have to check with local drivers to see how well they treat their employees. Some of these carriers offer a "student" program if you already have a CDL. I'm not sure if Conway hires new drivers out of school but you could work under their OTR division then move over to their LTL after a year with them.

Also check out Ryder (something I hadn't thought of until recently.) They have contracts with a lot of local companies that they haul for and usually post their pay rate for a particular job in the description.

You could also consider running with intermodal divisions. Their drivers are usually home every night and at least I know the Schneider drivers I have spoken with in intermodal liked the job and were paid very well. I don't have experience with this type of hauling or company so you might want to check with other drivers and see how it is.

 

Don't take my word on this but the last person I spoke with that had enlisted said that they received their CDL during their time with the military. There are plenty of companies that will take you without question after serving. Search the forums here and I'm sure you will find some veterans who will give you and idea of what to expect after your service has ended.

 

How hard ? Lets see i got a local driving job (food distribution) home every night + 3 day weekends, pay is good (at least for me) all that with two weeks OTR experience . If you can always go and apply in person.

 

UPSF, YRC and CWF are all applied online... Estes, and Old D are the only two I know off the top of my head you have to apply in person, I believe NEMF as well. You still got years to go so dont get discouraged

And to answer your question

R&L - ive heard mixed things, good and bad, deff a good starter company if they take you, but be warned they do make you buy your own pallet jack, hand truck etc where as others give you one

NEMF - They are union, but not teamsters, the are IAM I believe. Their drivers seem fairly happy, or at least the ones I spoke too. To be honest I wouldve applied to them when I was leaving YRC if they were teamsters, already got 2 in so I figure thats 2 years less till retirement. But I am happy at UPSF.

Towne Air freight - never heard of before

Also look into Holland as well. They are owned by YRC and seems like a good place to work for. Although you would be out all week with them on the road, but at least you stay in hotels and not in trucks. Teamsters as well.

Watch our for contract jobs like RYder and Penske... nce the contract ends and if it is not renewed then you could be out of a job, still good experience to get though.

Now Road_Runner works for a company owned by YRC (yes going back). For YRC Freight you literally have to be a COMPLETE IDIOT to be fired. We had one guy hit the SAME bridge three times, still employed, guys who also shouldnt and dont deserve the job are still there. Thats one thing I do miss about there... UPSF is stricter but at least my terminal is fair to us. BAck at CWF they fire you for anything...

 

I didn't read all these posts,but like others have said..You can walk in off the street
and get dock work,and help getting your cdl without costing you.Ive seen several
guys do it.Its kind of a double edged sword,as you cant get all the experiences from
driving on the yard.
Ltl drivers come and go for one reason or another.We lost 3 that I know of recently.
2 of those were long time 15 yrs plus.Both made mistakes.One drove off dock with
forklift driver inside,and another clipped a median,and the last one crashed out a set
doubles.
Fatigue will get you,if you don't keep a check on yourself.You have the right attitude,
now just go knock on some doors
It never hurts to talk to some of the drivers in your area too.Maybe the right conversation
with the right person will open a door for you.
Im home everyday now,but I run my ### off.14 hr days,then the hr. too and from work.
Some days I miss a sleeper.Good luck to ya,and keep the driving record CLEAN!!
That helps a lot,and a clean criminal record.We had another guy worked dock,company
helped get his cdl,and he lied about criminal record,and was booted from company.

 

I got hired straight outta school local home everyday only catch is I haul grocery stores and have to unload my self at ever store. There is a huge turnover because of this. Those jobs are out there but my advice is don't take the first offer.

 

Some Local jobs are physical as well as driving, Unlike OTR you are the lumper. Dont forget like OTR, A lot of LTL jobs do not pay overtime. One of the biggest complaints I have.