First off, I originally only got my CDL class A so that I could drive a class B vehicle, and maybe a class A later on. Now that I'm out of driving school, I feel like driving tractor trailers now. I know that the chances of me getting a local home-every-day-job is like 1 in 1000. So, before I give in to doing OTR, I'm going to try and beat the odds. I'm not worried about making good money for now, so I want to get a local job driving a class B vehicle for a company that also has class A vehicles. My plan is to get in good with a company, and then after driving for a while I want to try and weasel my way into a class A truck, so I can get my experience. Will my plan work or am I being delusional? Also, what kinds of companies will hire new class B drivers with a class A licence? Examples: asphalt and logging companies, construction, and farming. What else?
construction, driving a tri axle or delivering product (coke, pepsi, agar, PFG, mcclane etc) would be your best bets. I never went OTR, hell I had to drive in state for 3 years before I turned 21
I know you said you wanna drive class B and I don't know how you feel about pulling sets, but almost if not all ltl and parcel companies hire with no experience. To me they're the best jobs on the road too. Check out UPS Parcel because that may be the best of both worlds for you..
The food service guy that delivers to my wife's work makes about $25 an hour! Plus he gets out of the driver seat and gets a little bit of exercise at each stop! The truck is loaded for him at the plant, then he does the unload at each stop. Mikeeee
I used to do food service didn't quite make $25/hr but did ok. Mine was a small company, trucks were also loaded for us. Multiple stops using a ramp and hand truck, all inside deliveries with everything it entails. On top of dealing with pallets falling over and being improperly loaded forcing the driver to handle each piece multiple times. Like I said the work sucks but it's local. You'll be home at night usually too tired to enjoy the family.
That's how alot of "old guys" (including me) started way back then. Did local with a van, then up to a straight truck, to a 10 wheeler, to a daycab single axle and a trailer, then to the "big stuff". Took a couple of years but I think it made a better driver out of me. All loads were driver load/unload by hand; but you learned real good about how weight should be distributed, how it affects the truck, etc. Learning the laws of physics by application. BTW... FOTR.... you just invented a new acronym. Good one.
I never went to driving school. But, I did start out driving a straight truck and then moved up to 18 wheelers after about a year. For me it was a good way to go. That was over 40 years ago. I would suggest that you get some experience with combination vehicles. Otherwise, you may find it difficult to go from a straight truck to 18 wheelers. Once you have a couple of years experience with 18 wheelers it may not be such a big deal. Things are much different today than when I started. We learned on the job rather than having to go through a driving school. I would check with local freight companies, moving companies and the like. If they have 18 wheelers and straight trucks you might still get some of the experience you will need should you decide to go otr later.
Hey abyliks, i see you are in MA. i was just wondering what company you started with that had tractor trailers trucks that stayed in MA? i plan on going to do OTR once i turn 21 but i didnt know if it was worth getting my CDL A when im 18 or not. Also, with the company you worked with, were you happy with the pay and enough to live off? (pm me the reply, just so that way i dont hi-jack the OP's thread )
