New CDL class A with lots of questions

Unless things have somehow/somewhere changed.....as of the time of this writing.....

that Walmart "12-week program" is for current Walmart warehouse-type employees to get the requisite schooling/coaching, and move up to becoming drivers.

Said program only exists (for now) in either Texas or Delaware--to train Walmart employees in those locations.

Past that--you'll otherwise need the usual minimum 30-months' clean CDL experience from elsewhere, to qualify for Wally's fleet.

Once you become part of that fleet--you'll very likely have to "slip seat" for several years--even though it's an over-the-road gig.

No thanks.....

--Lual

 

Correct--"slip seating" is industry lingo for sharing a rig with another driver.

Car hauling? Check out these threads.....then you might decide for yourself:

So you wanna be a carhauler? Hope you like walking! | Page 2 | TruckersReport.com Trucking Forum | #1 CDL Truck Driver Message Board (thetruckersreport.com)

&

Nubie looking to get into car hauling | TruckersReport.com Trucking Forum | #1 CDL Truck Driver Message Board (thetruckersreport.com)

Also....there's a whole section dedicated to just Car Hauling threads, here on the Forum:

Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum | TruckersReport.com Trucking Forum | #1 CDL Truck Driver Message Board (thetruckersreport.com)

--Lual

 

Follow-up: just to clarify--"slip seating"....is sharing a rig with another driver--but only via alternating work shifts.

Also--per your reply in post #23 of this thread--if all you really want to do is just drive, then per the above info--car hauling would NOT be a good choice for you.....

If all you really want to do is drive, then zero in on jobs for:

• dry van duty;
• temp-controlled/reefer duty;
• food-grade tanker;
• LTL linehaul.

Flat bed/step deck/mult-axle/heavy-haul.....and car hauler....are A LOT more physical.

--Lual

 

Well, if you're "all over the map"....my vote (based on prior experience) sez.....start things out doing dry van, or maybe reefer duty.

Get 2 years (or so) under your belt doing that (remember--during that time, you're really just learning how to drive--all over again) -- then put in for that car hauling gig....if you wanna work out.

Note also--that (later) you'll have to car load--regardless of the weather and/or the temps and/or the humidity.

Loading cars in perfect/nice weather.....yeah, that would probably be pretty cool.

Loading cars in frigid/sweltering conditions......will suck pretty bad.

~~~~

Something else to think about/consider: we're now going into a recession.

As I write this--another thread here on the Forum shows that 2 mega-carriers have stopped hiring rookie drivers.

Also: in certain locations--LTL drivers have been furloughed or laid off.

What's my point? Well, no one really knows (yet) how bad the recession will actually get--or how long it will last.

Thus--you might also consider: which forms of freight are more recession-resistant?

In a bad (or drawn-out) recession--reefer duty is a pretty tough gig to beat. Or really most anything food related.

Think about it.....

--Lual

 

The following Forum thread is a good read....especially post #44:

Where’s the most money in 2022? | TruckersReport.com Trucking Forum | #1 CDL Truck Driver Message Board (thetruckersreport.com)

--Lual