What you're looking for is out there, but it's probably not going to be a big carrier. You're going to have to put in the effort and knock on doors of local companies. Make connections, talk to people. I've never worked for a large carrier. The only driving job I've had was for a guy with 20 trucks and I was there 8 years. We pulled maxi flats (105500 gross) in the Northwest. My old boss was very particular about how he wanted things done and liked hiring young guys with no flatbed experience. It was easier for him to train a person and have it done his way than hire an older guy set in his ways. Go knock on doors and ask for a chance to prove yourself.
Since you're close to Philly you might want to think about hauling gasoline. It's local and you might not have weekends off but you should have plenty of time at home. OTR you're going to be gone all the time and not home very long at all. Tankers are extremely hard to get into with no experience but it can be done. The area around Philly has a lot of terminals and a refinery. I seen drivers walk in off the street with no experience and get hired right on the spot. Hauling gasoline is a different world and applying for work has different approaches than the OTR driver. I know what is said at school and most have no idea on how the hiring process goes for a lot of companies. I suggest for a start go around to the companies and try to set up a face to face meet with the powers. Most will tell you to apply on line and that's fine. But you want them to remember you to the application. Most knew drivers are scared away by word from the schools. Don't let anyone tell you that they will not hire you. They don't know. If I were you I'd stay out of the Mega carriers, sure they make it easy to get a job but is that where you want to go? No drivers stay at those companies more than a year and the Mega companies make the job hunting easy so they have you at their disposal. The harder the job is to land the better work will be there. Get a list of gasoline companies in the area and go from there. If you're interested I'll come back and explain the different types of companies hauling gasoline.
Thank you. I will go out n see whts out there. We have a lot of ltl companies out here but people tell me tht they work 14hrs a day. They said I mine as well go otr since u wont see them during the week anyways
If you want weekends off or to sleep in your bed at night you're going to have to work. We worked our butts off during the week but I could always count on being to the yard by Friday night.
I always preferred family run companies, that's where I started. 14 hours a day sounds about right for local or regional work. I did over two years running straight truck, body jobs before I graduated to tractor trailer. I did $700 a week twenty years ago, so it should be easy now if you're willing to work. But that's the problem, a lot of people aren't , they want the money but won't do the time. I'm home every weekend and sometimes during the week hauling grain.
So I mixed up gross and net. I edited it, happy? If you had taken your own advice and read my entire post you'd have caught the part where I cleared (netted) well above 700 a week. Please pay attention.
Gashauler gave some good advice. Also, check into Airgas. I work for them now. Great company. GREAT benefits, something you'll need since you've got a family now. Great pay. 2 weeks paid vacation, 7 paid holidays, 10 paid holidays, 7 paid sick days and 2 floating holidays to use as you wish. Off a 5pm. Off weekends. Paid overtime (when you work it). Airgas is nationwide so I really suggest looking into them.
