Looking for guidance

Most of the upper end carriers have a waiting list for those jobs. It would not be a good idea to expect say Old Dominion to hire you on the wheel at a year experience. I've had freight haulers turn me down with ( at the time ) 15 years of accident free miles but no real time on pups. ( like I couldn't handle it lol )

You have to pay your dues hand. If you hire out and they get you a CDL then they are going to run you anywhere they see fit in any mode. It's their perceived "right".

My whole point here is your going to need far more than 12 mos to get a quality line haul or P&D job especially where pups are involved. Get hooked up with a FedEx contractor and get your pup and line haul time together, keep it spotless at all costs for at least 12 mos and then take a run at a freight hauler.

Keep Schneider as a distant alternative IMO OR....look to Schneider dedicated .. They have a deal with Ford and a few others dropping parts at the dealership.

JMO

 

OP, I agree with Chalupa. I worked a year for FedEx/LineHaul/Ground (teaming, of course) back in the early 2000's. Though I never got into Estes with that experience (that was my goal) it sure opened many doors for me since then. I'd hang with it if at all possible. For sure.
Best wishes,
Tomcat

 

Old Dominion hires new cdl grads for line haul. Not all terminals do though. They even send recruiters to cdl school in PA and some other states.

Where is your location?

 

Go down to the teamsters union hall and see who is hiring for a city driver / dock worker trainee. You will need a CDL. Get on with ABF or the like, pay your dues ( in more than one way ), and live happily ever after.

 

ABF and YRC/Yellow have their own cdl program. Huge turnover though. Bottom of the senority list drivers and trainees get crapped on.

 

Some cdl schools have night or weekend classes. You can go through school without missing work at your current job.