Lady truckers and CDL training

Driving truck is very rewarding career but there is a cost I've had my cdl since end of 09 and pay was terrible for awhile but I'm usually out 5 weeks when I'm driving truck

 

there are some positives and negatives to consider here, you love driving long distance so that's a plus, if your going long distances though you'd got to be prepared to sleep in the truck that could be an issue if your out in isolated areas something to keep in mind, being away from home for long periods of time can actually create marriage problems so as someone else suggested i'd look at doing regional only home every night would be the way to go.

 

Finding a GOOD Local Job with no experience is gonna be difficult to find, unless you wanna go the Foodservice or Beverage Delivery route. Not quite sure if that's something you want to do, since both of these jobs are physically demanding. Like someone else mentioned, LTL might be the way to go.

Starting off from the docks is a good way to move up to a Tractor Trailer Position. Fed Ex Freight will train you to be a Spotter or P&D Driver from the Docks, and I think Estes does the same thing. UPS Freight Dockworkers start off around $16-17 an hour and top out around $28 after your fourth year, and all you do is drive a forklift around all day. Easy work but VERY fast paced.

You can also try being a Bread Truck Delivery Driver as well. No CDL is required and if you work for a Union Company like Bimbo Bakeries, you can make in between $80-100k as a Route Sales Rep, but make sure it's not as an Independent Contractor though. Not quite sure what Frito Lay RSR make, but they pretty much do the exact same thing as the Bread Guys do.

USPS Letter Carriers just got they're new Union Contract and currently they top out at $29 an hour and will probably move up closer to the mid $30's by the end of their contract.

Good luck.

 

Hi Neighbor
I am in Pittsburgh also. I just started school at Rosedale and will graduate in two weeks. I am the only female in a class of 6. My hubby is a truck driver and next year we are hoping to do team driving when our youngest is at college.
The class is good. My only problem is the darn clutch. I normally drive a stick car and it is definitely not the same. Two people in my class are also stick people and have issues with the clutch also. I am one of the two.
Keep in touch.

 

Operating these transmissions is not easy at first. It takes practice. Once you learn to float the gears, you only need the clutch to start out.

 

I'm out 12 hours, max.
F that 'weeks' jazz.
Won't do it.

 

Understand not being out weeks I'm only going out 3-4 weeks until I find a job paying decent where I live and gets me home every weekend or every other weekend

 

Pretty sure saia just opened 4 new terminals in pa

 

The proper use of clutch in a car & a semi truck are very different. IMO, it's easier to learn to shift the truck if you have no car shifting experience.

 

"Old Dominion Freight Line hires new cdl grads for line haul team runs. I know a husband/wife that ran teams there and made $225K per year. They hire all over PA and saw an ad today about line haul jobs available. You won't make anywhere near that with a general freight company or refrigerated outfit.
Here's an Old Dominion ad for Line Haul drivers from PA:
Eligibility Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Must possess a valid commercial driver's license with hazmat, doubles, triples and tanker endorsements.
• 1 year previous tractor trailer driving experience and/or be a graduate of a State Certified and Licensed truck driving school, acceptable to Old Dominion and/or have satisfactorily completed the Old Dominion truck driver training program.