How to get into local?

I'm late to the party here, but definitely check outside of the trucking industry. Lots of manufacturers, distributors and warehouses have trucks of their own. I work for a tractor/ag equipment manufacturer. Found the job on the Job Bank that the Canadian government runs as part of employment insurance.

There's also local gravel/dirt/landscaping. They tend to pay less and flaunt/ignore the rules though, at least around here.

The other thing I'd say is don't be afraid of driving a straight truck if the money/situation suits you.

 

Specialty Straight truck pays as well as Tractor Trailer in the USA. Waste Management / BFI front commercial loaders and roll off dumpsters folks make $60-80,000 with time in with the company.
Go home everyday. The hours are PITA and holiday working ( weekends ) suck. Earn the pay, most are union. I've done it, Great experience to thrash a truck in the landfill and learn your surroundings before picking up a box 20 feet in the air.


Straight truck freight never done it. That is well below my paygrade. others may enjoy making 30-40k a year. Way too much equipment/companies out their to make crap pay. Have a CDL License. Always a challenge and a bump in pay.

 

Yeah, the private waste haulers make a good buck here too. I know one guy who hauls nothing but cardboard. Not sure what he gets paid, but judging by his toys it's a fair buck. Hard to get into though.

Straight truck freight can be a little odd. The courier guys around here get next to nothing and they work like dogs. Some of the non-trucking company jobs pay well though, even for non-CDL trucks. I know a couple of CDL-A guys who are driving single axles with juice brakes...no CDL required...because the money's there and the work isn't too bad. I think it's because a manufacturer or distributor has learned the value of a good driver the hard way.

 

I fully agree. This is what I do often times now. I have a Class A and very often times the company I am working for will have me drive the straight truck. The pay is the same hrly pay as if I was driving the tractor trailer some days.

 

I only have 1 and a half years experience and i have never done anything but local. I find all my jobs on Monster. Just have to stay at it, Following up apps with phones calls, and remember SELL YOURSELF. Your competeing with every other truck driver who doesnt want to be away from their family so you have to do something to make then want you over the next guy.

Good luck and be safe

 

I got a job with a beer distributor right out of school. Much of the fleet run side loaders and hand truck their stuff into stores. I got lucky and was assigned to bulk grocery right from the get go. I just bump docks and unload which I don't mind because I get an electric pallet jack. Not a bad deal 5:30 till around 2ish. M-F. My plan is to still get HAZMAT so in a year I can re-evaluate my options, but not a bad deal.