Need Advice

I posted this in the Welcome forum, but thought it'd be a good idea to post it here, too:

I work (as a firefighter) in Baltimore, MD, but live in a small town near York, PA. One thing I've noticed during my commute over the last 3 years is all the trucks coming out of the Port of Baltimore heading up I-83.

I'm also in desperate need of a second relatively decent paying job. I'm thinking I'd like to get into trucking, at least on a part-time basis right now eventually building up to become an Owner/Operator. My schedule allows me to work 4 days, then off 4 days.

The catch: I don't have a CDL. I do have experience driving fire apparatus, and have a non-comm Class-A. I have to test just like the average joe, though, to get my CDL-A. I can't afford a school, $2500-$5000 is just way too much money. I can work out getting the time off, though, if necessary.

Here's how I see my options, and I'd like some input or maybe being pointed in the right direction.

1. Find a company like Swift, PAM, USA, etc... OR a small local company, who will be willing to train. My concern is IF they accept me part-time, will I make enough $$ to make it worth my while?

2. I've tried looking into a yard-jockey job, but the only one I've been able to find locally only hires full time. They don't really seem to post these positions online or there just aren't any available. I like this option the best because it gives me money right away, and the practice and experience with big trailers and docking.

3. I may be able to hook up with a friend of a friend who has a truck, but no trailer, to at least get driving and learning to clutch. I can rent a trailer to practice with, and then for the test, too. This seems to be the least expensive option, but probably the most time consuming.

Ideally, I'd like to do the p/u in Baltimore drop in York/Harrisburg/Carlisle/Lancaster PA runs, several runs a day on my 4 days off. Right now, I'm also willing to do OTR as long as it can be 2 days out, 2 days back so I can go to my FF job. I'll also be able to take vacation which will allow me to do longer hauls, too, on occassion.

Thanks for reading this endless post, any help or pointing in the right direction will be greatly appreciated.

 

Can you explain that a little more for me? I thought time was only counted as drive time/non drive time. But then again, I'm not schooled yet, lol.

My FD schedule is 2-ten hour days 7a-5p), 2-fourteen hour nights(5p-7a)
Mon = 10 hours, Tues = 10 hours, Wed = 7 hours (5p-12Mid), Thurs = 14 hours (12Mid-7a + 5p-12Mid), Fri = 7 hours (12Mid-7a).
Then I'm off Friday (after 7am), Saturday, Sunday, Monday.
Start again Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, off Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues, etc...etc...


@NC Mack - I don't have any certs for any mechanic jobs, but maybe it's something I could look into. Hadn't even thought of that, honestly...