not sure what the right next step should be - anyone else from Michigan?

OK, gotcha! Get that class A, you can still drive a straight truck with it if you have to.
Strange you mentioned Alba, one of the guys I work with was telling me last night he hauled carrots down there last week. Small world. Have you tried any companies driving 10 wheeler dumps, or even 6 wheelers? Seems like there would be something down there. Don't just put in a resume and make phone calls. Some of the smaller companies prefer you see them in person. Just do the online thing, wait a day or two, then go see them. Just tell them you thought you'd come over and intro yourself. Worked for me where I am now.

 

I thought, or heard, anyway... I could be wrong. lol
But, I thought that with my class b I couldn't drive a 10 wheeler? I thought they usually had a trailer attached?

I really came into this whole trucker world so quickly. I have always wanted my cdl but lacked motivation. When my buddies wife offered to give me the apprenticeship to get it I jumped on the opportunity. Having a family can sure make you motivated to achieve just about anything!

I am having a hard time finding places to apply. I am considering doing just what you said, going up there - however, without necessarily having already applied.

I am considering looking up construction and warehouse companies in the yellow pages and just going up there! I have filled out so many applications already.. It is starting to prove difficult to even find more jobs to apply to. So many say 1 year or even 5 years experience. I still apply hoping someone will take a chance or give me a break anyway. But still. I am running out of places to find jobs to even apply too.

I have even started applying for security jobs - I know I am giving in a little bit to the job I want using my cdl but getting cash in and working period is what my family needs. I can look for a cdl job working a security job, I know. But, its moving in the wrong direction I feel like. I will do what I have to.

 

I am applying to both right now. Thank you for this suggestion!

 

Panther will still place you with a B truck O/O. They do not require their second seats to have any exp at all in the B trucks. T/T is a bit of a different story, Good luck and I hope you come out of this ok,

 

Panther is the company she was actually with that I was supposed to be her partner for. I didn't know I could still chase that job with Panther. I will def be doing this. Thank you!

I am going to call my buddy and she if his wife still has her old boss's information. Maybe she can still help me get his job afterall. (Even if I don't mention her, haha)

I still can't believe she begged me to do this "for her" so she could have a good reliable partner and then ended up quitting *after* I quit my current job. I wouldn't have quit my security job if I didn't have that job waiting for me. Even after she quit she explained that her 5 years experience would help me get a job if we took a partner job she would get me in the door. But now she isn't looking to go otr anymore. She in fact, isn't even working currently. I don't get why she isn't feeling the pressure to work like I am. I'm not sure she is even really looking for a job.

 

Be sure to slap the buddies wife.....

Check with lumberyards, small local manufacturers, things like that.