New CDL A Holder Confused And Needs Advice

If local is what you want then seek out companies that will bring you on as a new cdl holder. Local can blow otr pay out the park depending on what company it is. And the location that terminal is in. Then there's otr companies that pay more than what some local companies pay in certain areas.

But for the most part I would start off local over what they call start up otr company. Like Schneider, swift, etc. Going all across the U.S. for maybe $600-$800 take home per week isn't worth it. However choices are becoming more and more limited with companies laying off or going out of business. So just think of that before you make your decision.

 

CRST stopped all training a while back. 3 months min. exp now.

 

Yes just put in your time and don't feel bad for leaving a mega carrier. When you leave you will immediately significantly bump your pay elsewhere but if you stay they will sloooowwly increase pay and then cap it while uncertain amount of miles. At mega carrier you will get your training but its not guaranteed quality training and they will teach you safety first then make you do unsafe things to meet their goals. Just be prepared to tell them no when they try to do this. IMO as far as local work your most likely going to get milked of all your time and energy for less pay so getting yourself to your bed every night isnt even worth it.

 

Like taking relationship advice from reality TV.

What is it that you really want to do? If you eventually want to own fleet of rock buckets, you go work for a rock bucket company. If you want to pull tanker, you aim towards the tanker. How do you know whether to go OTR or local? Is there a local company that will start you where you want to be? If the answer is NO, guess what? You have to go somewhere else. I wanted to pull superloads. That meant that I had to start with a regional (not OTR or local) flatbed company that pulled specialized loads. I ended OTR be a the loads I wanted to pull were far away from the home, wind farms, rig moves, crane moves, all over the US and Canada.

Anyway, figure out where you want to be and plan accordingly.

Luck in battle.

 

Mega carriers can't afford to churn through drivers unless they want to go bankrupt.
You're overthinking everything.
Plenty of good jobs in Houston.
The worst job I've had in my trucking career was with a small carrier. I prefer the large carriers.
I couldn't care less if they know my name or not. Just keep me rolling up the miles and pay me on time is all I care about.

 

Shipping between Houston, Texas and Alaska | Lynden Transport
1417 E Richey Rd, Houston, TX 77073
Hires new cdl school grads and has local/regional/OTR
We look forward to supporting your freight needs in Houston, Texas! Lynden Transport can serve all of your shipping needs between Houston, TX and Alaska. View hours and other information …

 

Praxair Gulf Coast Pipeline
Oil & gas
200 Strang Rd, La Porte
Entry level drivers with cdl school certificate.

 

Gemini Motor Transport
Hires new cdl school grads. from Houston, TX

• 1-2 years of verifiable over-the-road driving experience OR certification from accredited truck driving academy.