New CDL class A with lots of questions

Where in NorCal?

 

If you AND the spouse team drive for the right carrier....sock your money away....and invest it wisely....you both could retire in as little as 10-12 years.

These days.....that MBA program will bleed you dry--along with the other typical family-related expenses.

Driving a big rig yields a similar paycheck--with a small fraction of the upfront educational investment of that MBA program.

That's why I left an office job--and started driving the big rigs.

The best-paying trucking gigs are typically in the LTL sector, doing linehaul--examples: Old Dominion, Estes, FedEx, SAIA, etc.

You can also do quite well in the tanker world: chemicals, fuel, cryogenics.

To qualify for those jobs--you need to go back and get those endorsements (if you don't have them already): tanker, hazmat, and doubles/triples.

If you decide to go tanker: getting a TWIC card is a good idea, as well.

A valid, current US passport will help you pull some loads into/out of Canada.

The more "bells and whistles" you have like these--the more attractive you become to prospective employers.

Tell us what city/state is closest to you--and we'll make some employer suggestions.

Also: what CDL school did you use? How many hours is in their pgm? 160? 180? or more? If you don't know--find out.

Then let us know.

@Chinatown

--Lual

 

Most likely as a new CDL holder you'll have to suck it up with a big company for 6 months to a year. After that your options will open up considerably. Personally I would look to an Old Dominion type for good pay once you get a little experience under your belt and most importantly, keep your driving record clean.

 

Dot Foods, out of Modesto, pays a team truck $240K-$260K per year/split. They run dedicated routes/same schedule, every week, usually on a roughly 4-5 day schedule. They do run hard, though.

 

Where in Northern California? Need to know the hiring area you live in.
How many hours was the cdl school you graduated from?
Do you have endorsements?

 

DOT Foods is a GREAT suggestion--but be warned: because they are so good--DOT can be VER-RY picky.

Most of their applicants are turned away.

Also: hold off on any truck/trailer (or lease) purchase, until you've been a driver for someone else for a while (3 years, or more).

You need to learn the industry, first--and also decide if you even like it--or not.

Don't buy that "Boeing 747" until you've decided you actually like flying--A LOT.

You'll have to (re)earn those wings--every day.

--Lual

 

Company Driver Trucking Jobs | Gillson Trucking Inc
Company Driver Trucking Jobs | Gillson Trucking Inc
At least 1 year of experience preferred or training available

Our reefer trucks supply essential produce from California to the midwest and northeast with over the road full truckload trips

 

Oof! You’re way up and over there. I’ve hauled sour cream out of Sebastopol. That’s all I got.

For those searching out jobs for him.