How to decide where to live/what company , when you first start?

I chose my school based on a prehire from Schneider. At the time Schneider was the only Company that had Skid Pad training. They had a higher level of post school training than most other companies like Pam, Star and a few others I was looking at at the time. I knew I was getting a regional position (which was unheard of back then) and the terminal was under 4 hours away.

Once I got a year in. I always looked for the job that had the right balance of pay, respect for my home time,quality of equipment and safety score. I realized that how far away a terminal is wasn't quite as high on my list.

 

To get a local job, you will have to beat the bushes in your area, but they are there. You mentioned that the local jobs that you looked at had low pay, did they have any benefits? Benefits can equal out pay. Even OTR companies will have regional and local drivers, especially if they have a contract local to your area. How will you know that they have a local contract? Simple: They will build a yard/terminal within close proxy to the manufacturer.

 

If you're looking at doing chemical tankers Houston is the place to be. That's not the only place in the country, but it is a very good place for tankers.

 

^^^well alright then "do it, do it now," (Arnold voice) lol

 

Where do you live that local jobs pay low? Generally speaking local jobs pay very well... Linehaul is considered local because generally speaking they are home daily... lots of ltl linehaul drivers making 90+ a year... As for where you are going to work is going to be up to you... After the first couple jobs you get, you will be the one to answer that when you figure out what type of trucking suits you...

 

I think it's close to the top but then again I would think oversized, overweight might have higher top pay.
Local driving is usually long hours but most are paid the hour and around here they get weekends off and mostly day shift only. Regional work is mostly out loaded and back empty for chemicals which is cool if the cpm pay is good, plus you get accessory pay, such as pump off, air off, etc...