Need Advice From the Experienced Drivers

My only tip would be to find someone to team with and look for a dedicated lane.... team drivers are generally compensated well, and with a dedicated lane, youll get home more often and can start to build a better resume. Have you checked into quality carriers out of tampa?

 

You worried you can't find a job because of your work history?My work history is as long as your arm and companies still hire me.Yes some won't hire with a shakey work history but those are the real good companies that require exp.Starter companies like Werner,Prime CRENGLAND,Swift could care less as long as you have a adequit MVR.But you'll have to go thru school to get your class A.Far as Florida goes,back when the bad economy first hit,trucking companies did have a hireing freeze for those Florida residents,don't know what it's like now.Don't know if you can find a local job once you do get a class A without exp.So what kind of driving have you done with your class B?

 

I've been driving for 20 years and been with so many companies, hauling every concievable type of frieght and equipment. The vast majority of my experience was local, tankers and flats. Having a hazmat endorsement is a plus. It covers a multitude of sins, so as to speak. Positive attitude and being honest with the local companies, telling them that you cant handle OTR. I'm OTR reefer, making jack squat, with 20 years exp. Go figure. OTR sucks! I'm going local tankers just as soon as can arrange my affairs. One day you will have 20 years and trying to find a job wont be a problem, its other concerns, that happen as you get older, namely physical d.o.t. qualifications. I,m ready to dispatch trucks.

 

Are you stuck in FL for any reason? Way more flex if willing to relocate. Salt Lake is a central hub to the nation. Decent living, and if you are not afraid of physical work? Know of more than one company that has hired newbies with some exp before. FL is just such a bomb when it comes to a real economy right now.
You could always plan to come back in a year or two with lots more exp and ready to rock on that local or regional route. On the physical side, if can handle the work, there's lots of options, and you'd take home gross pay in the 60+ your 1st full yr. Just think, this way when you go to a fuel stop, you'll be the standout in a group of super weights. And no fears of not ever passing that DOT Physical.
When I was at an orientation some yrs back, you'd see these xtra large wanna bees draggin themselves just barely to and fro, wondered back then how they were able to even stay awake.

 

Yep, tanker can be a super sweet gig, just only if you ask all the right questions early:
Pay for delays, what,when and how, chaining pay,what and how,fueling,and pre trip, post trip, there's 30+min right there. And especially the all important one, breakdown, and or weather pay. Seen this one posting just recent, after 36hrs they pay out for delay, 24 for weather, don't see this adding much to the end of yr earning calculations. Simple hrly with good solid safety, retention bonus, now thats where I'm at and it keeps me from over driving the road, running down the other vehicles, and humping on their rear bumper. My accident ratio is nill, Incredible amount of time in and rolling strong, and more safe than ever.
If there is one thing a new driver can do is this, teach your self to drive like its the last day everyday, one slip up and your done. It works wonders and you'll have the satisfaction of being one of the top drivers nationwide period. Trust your instincts evrytime, both for directions, road /weather, just evrything. Never accept equipment for the road you deem questionable, no matter who signs off, the job will never be worth the risk. Many times later a boss would seek me out to thank me for averting a vehicle breakdown or possible accident, but at the crunch time for dispatch, Ive had to stand my ground against an onslaught of critisicm and sometimes yelling by the powers that be.FYI