I would like some advice

I am a 20-year-old CDL-A holder currently driving a mixer for $27/hr. My career goal is hauling local fuel/hazmat, which requires one year of verifiable tractor-trailer experience. Since my current mixer job doesn't count as tractor-trailer experience, should I leave this high-paying local position to go OTR/Regional with a starter company just to get the experience I need for my long-term goal?

 

Here is what I would do - If I am 20 years old making $27 an hour getting home every day, which allows me to have a life outside of work. Since I am 20, I know I cannot drive Interstate until I am 21. I would find a local CDL academy (community college) that has classes when I am off duty and obtain my Class A. In the mean time I would research my local fuel hauler market to check and see what kind of opportunities are available once i obtain my class A and weigh it against what I am currently earning as a mixer driver. Getting your class A will also make you more valuable to your current employer in the sense that you can now pull bulk tankers if they have them.

 

$27 for driving mixer is not bad.

Most OTR truck driving jobs pay far less. So you will be taking a large pay cut. You will be working far more hours, Your benefits will likely suffer. You will seldom see home.

Most OTR employers treat their drivers like crap and the OTR market is more seasonal than the construction/mixer market.

The OTR market is current swamped with an excess of drivers, trucks, and companies.

You would be making a huge downgrade.

There is nothing special about Haz-Mat. Many Haz-Mat and tanker jobs pay less then what you are doing now. Many milk tanker jobs are paying more than fuel right now.

I know people that retired from mixer and dump truck jobs that make more money retired then OTR drivers do staying out weeks at a time.

If the need arises, the right employer will hire you for haz-mat or tanker without the trailer experience. It has happened.

 

As posted above, you can't go OTR until you're 21yrs. old.
Charlotte is a good location for some high paying CDL-A jobs, once you're 21.
Hang in there where you are until your 21st birthday.
In the meantime, get all the endorsements, all of them plus a passport card.
Don't get any tickets and don't be involved in any accidents, including little fender-benders.

 

They must have tank drivers bringing in the dry mix to your plant. Maybe talk to one of their drivers.

 

Old Dominion Freight Line
3330 Stafford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
Can make over $100G per year.
Ask if you can work on the docks until you're 22. They might let you work the docks, plus move trailers around on terminal property.

• Must be at least 22 years of age.

• Must have 12 months previous tractor-trailer driving experience and/OR be a graduate of a State Certified, Licensed and Safety Department approved driving school, and/OR have satisfactorily completed the Old Dominion Truck Driver Training program (ODTDT-8/88).

 

CDL Driving Jobs | Diesel Direct 24/7 Mobile Fuel Delivery
CDL-A drivers must be 21 yrs. old or older.
Diesel Fuel Delivery in North Carolina | Fuel Delivery Near You

 

welcome to the trucking world neighbor.

can't help much, been retired for a few years, but good luck!

 

Diesel Delivery in Charlotte l Hart Fueling Service