In the olden days how did newbies break the vicious cycle of no experience no job, no job no exp

When I started there weren't that many trucking companies around. some like CF had a system of starting small and moving up but you had to be patient, it took a lot of years. I started driving a 1 ton as a kid and whenever anyone asked if I could drive something bigger I said yes. Using this system I drove my first semi in two years. It took a little longer before some one took pity on my BS and thought maybe he could make a driver out of me.
BSing a diesel Tandem in 1964 was a bit of a job, 5n4s fragile engines and all But if you kept trying some one would take pity on you. There were no schools only the UHK (University of Hard Knocks).

 

In 1987 I was 18yrs old. Hauled me arse down to the local DMV in Tampa, Fl, took the WRITTEN test and left out the door into the bright afternoon Fl sunshine with a brand spankin' new chauffeurs license.

Cool deal, I was now legal to drive a CMV vehicle. Just so we are clear, ANY commercial vehicle. Until then, the biggest thing I had driven at the time was my 1987 Chevy S-10 longbed p/u 5 speed.

Next stop was a stick hauler that ran a triangle from Tampa, to Greenville, SC and finaled in Jacksonville. Hauled crap from that port back to Tampa.

All of this was accomplished with NO verifiable experience. Just my wit, wisdom and good looks.

I did this for approx 6mos and then hooked up with a produce hauler running turns to Cali and back to the armpit of Florida (Tampa).

Heck, I don't even think they required a med card at the time. Just get it there and back in one piece.

Pretty carefree time we drove/lived in.

Ya know, the equipment was a spring ride Freightshaker COE with a 2in sleeper(felt like it at times), but ####, I had FUN!!!!

Experience? We don't need no stinkin' experience.

Chauffeurs license SAYS you can be a Big Truck Driver, so go to it.

So we hopped to it and got the job done.

 

LOL T,same with me! A run to PA and back with an experienced driver (6 months of experience!) and was given key to 2014 Prostar governed @ 86 mph and told to go out there and make some money.

 

My brother-in-law lost his teaching job and was having a difficult time finding another job that paid above minimum wage and full time. He went to the DMV and paid $10.00 for the chauffeurs license which was the only thing required to drive a CMV other than a simple physical. He went to a trucking company and they hired him on the spot. Told him there's the truck already hooked to a loaded trailer, so take it to Alabama. He had problems getting the truck to move forward because when he let off the clutch the truck would jump up and down and kill the engine. The trucking company owner walked out to him and asked if he's ok. He said , Uh, I'm just not used to the truck yet. The owner said, OK, keep at it and you'll figure it out. Finally got the truck moving forward and made it to Montgomery, AL with no further problems.
I wasn't much better; went to a 10 day cdl school and my first run was across Hwy. 62 thru Arkansas and Missouri on a night run.

 

My sister was dating a guy who was buying extra trucks and needed more help. Because he was ex-local cop / military (Vietnam) he was 'above the law' and licence wasn't required. I learned pretty quick.

After entire summer OTR following behind sister and him there was no written test in late 70's just a drive around the block. DMV inspecter seemed excited to be riding in a '75 375Cat Freightshaker cabover (even after I parallel parked over the curb heading sidewalk)!!!

Eventually wound up running his '77 Aerodyne with an extended hood 3408!! Friend Richie has a '78 direct injection 425hp 3406 that ran just as good - - highwaymen generally just scolded you if you did something stupid then sent you on your way!!

Only tkt ever got was CHIPS stopped me for speeding but because I was overlenght (60' max) gave me a break, did that instead.

What a joke!! VA was only 55' so ran I-81 AT NIGHT. 73,280 was another one!!

 

My last 2 gigs before this Owner Operator non sense....I had walked in and said, "who's the boss?". Someone pointed and then I approached and said, "hello, you need a driver?".

"Can you drive?"

"Yes."

"Someone find him the keys to #82 and get him out of here".

 

I answered an ad from northAmerican Van Lines. Bring us $2500 down payment on a used tractor, we will teach you how to drive it and all the paperwork. 1976. 2 weeks later I was in my own 1974 White Road Commander delivering new furniture and appliances. I was 22. Same drill, can't get a job without experience, can't get experience without a job. I fixed them....