I need the straight scoop

One of the delivery drivers for ABF started talking to me about driving. He's been doing it for 20 years, makes $60k/yr, great bennes, yada yada. It sounded appealing but as usual, there's always more to the story.

I'm 41 and working a $16/hr job with 2 kids and my wife working part time. It ain't cuttin' it and I'm looking for options.

The info here seems contradictory. Some posts say OTR is the only practical way to get local, some say it's possible to start with local by working in the yards/docks. Some say school is required to get anything decent, some say to go with companies that take you on contract and pay for the school/CDL.

Here's my situation, and if I'm asking too much, please say so and I'll be on my way with no hard feelings. I'm in Arizona. Having to do OTR is a deal breaker. I have 2 speeding tickets in the last 3 years and an at fault accident 18 months ago. I have a 23 year old class 3 felony (I was 18 at the time) and no criminal history since. I have absolutely no problem with doing 'grunt' work to get into the biz as long as the pay is $16+/hr and it's leading somewhere in the next 6-12 months.

Can I do this or should I look at other avenues?

Thanks!

 

More than three points in the past three years is going to be the straw which breaks the camel's back for a lot of carriers (or, more specifically, their insurance carriers). The felony.... won't look appealing, but it doesn't necessarily shut all doors. What it was for does matter, though. Your driving record is the real thorn in your side, though.
All the same, it never hurts to call companies, talk to their recruiters, and see what they have to say about your eligibility.

 

Harry,

First go to the DMV and pay the $5 (in CA) for your 10yr H6 (DAC) report. You might be surprised to find that something isn't even on it! It'll also show your points. If it's not on there by now, it didn't happen. It will never be on there.

As far as the felony, it's over 20yrs so you might be ok on that. Be honest about it as you may one day need HAZMAT which requires a home land security check.

I know you need something to happen soon, but waiting until something drops off your DMV (older then 3yrs) is a thought.

Here are some options, and none are real pretty if you don't want OTR.

1. To keep the cost of training down, and keep you in town while you train...

Check out local CDL schools, there prices (financing options) and job placement options (maybe with in your community). Check trade schools and community colleges, as they may have a program less expensive. Also the employment office may have info on training programs that they may subsidies. Any of these may have weekend options so you keep working.

Note that if you go the above route you'll need to hustle to a company that takes new grads as these skills our perishable.
You'll want to do your company road test while things are fresh.

2. Some OTR training companies will take you, and yes I understand that you DON'T want to be OTR, but wait.

They will bus/fly you to there yard. Train you (you'll have a student loan of $3000-$5000) and once you get your CDL in our hand you leave. This will get you your CDL at no initial cost. They will send you a bill. You'll need enough money to get home. This is just a training option, and doesn't get you a job. Someone on TTR (this blog) will say you can't do this, but the School contract is just that. You don't have to work there. People quit jobs all the time anyway.

3. Do the above and stay for 6 months. I don't think this will work for you as you will be hurting on a pay check for at least 3 months. It's 3 to 4 weeks in the school, not by your house most likely. Once your out of school you go out with a trainer for 3 weeks making about $300 a week if your lucky, truck don't brake etc. Some companies will then send you for few days of "up-grade" training and then back out with another trainer for 3 weeks. Then you'll finally get your truck. So far you may not have been home during this whole process. By this time your skill will have improved alot, but your no means a pro.

The first two options don't get you a job, just the CDL (and a loan payment). So how do you find a company with no real experience? Maybe get a job at an equipment rental company. Start as a yard guy, prepping, washing and fueling backhoes and dozer's. Here in San Diego they start at $15. Make sure they know you have a CDL. While they won't put you in a low-bed right away, some of these companies have straight trucks, like a flatbed tow truck or rollback that they use to deliver smaller equipment. They are like driving a u-haul but require Class A CDL because of the weight. If it's busy and their drivers are all out they might tap u on the shoulder in order to keep a customer happy.

Cement mixer company's may be an option. Most in my area take new grads. Check it out before you start training. You would need a tanker endorsement which is an easy and on.
Trench plate / shoring company
Traffic control (barrier k-rail) company
Constuction companies that have the class A size water trucks.

Class A bus drivers make about $17-20 here. Passenger endorsment required.

I know nothing I've said here gets you a job, except the OTR for 6 months or until you find a local job.

Best of luck

 

It is rare to find a local position without first getting some otr experience. I would think that it would be more difficult where you currently reside. But, you could check your local state employment office and see what may be available. Many companies will list current positions with them. One of the largest carriers in the country are in your back door, Swift. They do training. It would be better for you to get your CDL on your own before applying to any carrier, but if you only want to do local without going otr first, then you have your work cut out for you. There have been some who have gone from driving school to getting a local job. You don't have to go to truck driving school in order to get your CDL, but you will need a truck and trailer in order to learn how to drive. Unless you know someone who owns a truck and is willing work with you to help you get your CDL, you will be forced to go to driving school. Many carriers require a minimum amount of hours from an accredited driving school before they hire new drivers. Like someone else mentioned, I would wait until at least one or two of the moving violations drop from your mvr before applying. With the at fault accident you essentially have 3 moving violations on your mvr. It will be difficult for you to get approved with any carrier with those on your record. In the mean time, you could continue doing research. There are carriers that mostly do runs from Phoenix to southern California and back.

 

I would definantly go to a trucking school. But make sure its at a college tho, these tend to be the best programs. youll learn alot and it helps with getting a job faster.

 

That's pretty bad advice. While I disdain company schools and wouldn't recommend them, this is just immoral. Sure they are going to send him a bill.....THAT HE NEEDS TO PAY. If he had 3-5k he could go to school locally.

What you are suggesting could mess up his credit, not to mention could end up on his DAC report and end his driving career before it even starts. You can argue whether or not they have a right to DAC him, but it could spell death for a new driver.

If you have to lower yourself to doing this, you are better off not getting your CDL.

 

the no experience, no local myth needs to stop.

i am living proof. went to a 160 hr ACCREDITED course and that was all she wrote. But i also had a clean MVR, whistle clean background and can speak semi decently, so yah

LTL in the west may be your best bet. Or some companies might even have an apprentice program like con-way. The terrain in the west allows for more runs, especially meets since a direct run cannot be made under HOS unless a driver lays over.

 

With your driving record it's a no go until you drop some points. The felony from 23 years ago could be a problem but I'm betting not that big of a problem.

You do have the right idea though, if you can get on driving forklift at an LTL carrier and stay there until your record cleans up you can move into a driving position. I think 16 dollars an hour is a little optimistic for fork lift but with the over time It might work out.

You could work 2 jobs, keep your regular job and drive fork lift at night at an LTL company. Heck most of us work more then that as a driver, and it wouldn't be a forever thing, just until you can get into a seat.

Your on the right track but it's going to take a lot of work. What you want is achievable but if it was easy every one would do it.

 

if I were you I would go to school and get my cdls, you might luck up and find a local job after your done with school. good luck

 

Told you..


Respectfully,

Sorry, but from his request I may have assumed that he didn't have $3-5k to go pay for a school. I was simpy saying there is a 'no initial cost' plan. I think I did mention the more traditional EDU/loan options 1st.

Nothing immoral about it. The school is a separate bill, that has nothing to do with the job. While it's implied that you will work for them, it is not required. In fact that would be illegal. Its no different than going out with a trainer for a week or two and realizing trucking is't for you. You still go home, and still get billed (a little less). What is immoral is when a school kicks you out because you don't have the skills, and your standing on a curb with no money, no way home and you will still get billed.

Just to stir the pot a little ... I wounder if he could take his fresh..Say CR Enlgand CDL, I think thats Premier Truck Driving School, they also train CRST in California, to a non-training company that pays tuition re-embursment.

I never suggested he wouldn't have to pay. Again I'm talking about the 'no initial cost' option here. So we're clear Harry, you will still have payments in one form or another to local school/College/company and of course you should make those payments. I assumed that at 41yrs old you knew this.

Elendil, If he's never crashed, or got a ticket or abandoned a load then the DAC's not in play. Period.

I listed the 3 options in the order that i thought would best serve his needs and wants. 1 stay home with a whole list of options, 2 company school no OTR little out of pocket, and 3 OTR thru the whole training cycle probably lose you house or apt if you dont have savings to carry you.

Best suggestion yet.