Options, options, so many options...

Keep applying. I was deternined to stay lacal to see my kids every day. I filled out about 30 Applications, got, 6 Call backs, 5 interviewews, And 3 Job offers. 1 Crappy, 1 decent. , and 1 good. I put in a LOT of time and effort, but it was worth it. Gonna make $45,000 to $50,000 this first year. Home every night, and off every weekend. It can be done. Check indeed, monster, craigslist...... The eaisest to get are food and beverage delivory, but they are a lot of hard work. I do local paint delivory, have to use a pallot jack and liftgate, but its not bad.

 

Also, be patient. Trucking companies make very in depth background checks. the companies that called me back took on aaverage. 2- 3 weeks to call me back

 

Old Dominion has been hiring new CDL grads in PA. That's a company you'll want to retire from.

 

I got hired fresh out of school with Old Dominion here in Indianapolis.. Just like Chinatown said. Home everynight, off weekends, off holidays with pay.

 

Where at in Pennsylvania are you exactly? I live outside of Harrisburg PA and there are tons of local driving jobs here. There are local driving jobs in Scranton, Allentown, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, York, etc. Pennsylvania is actually becoming the warehousing hub for the northeast for Christ sake, then you got the shale boom going on, then you got the intermodal rail yards, and everything else. I personally started out in OTR and that sucked. Tried working for FedEx since my father works there and after working there I now know why every couple of years a FedEx employee snaps and goes on mass shooting spree at work. Little free advice higher paying jobs doesn't mean better treatment it can actually mean the exact opposite unfortunately. Anyway I now haul rail containers and I’ll make about 60k this year and I’m at the bottom of the pay scale. It’s no touch freight, home every night off two days a week, I’m treated professionally at my job, and I have a set shift where I start at the same time every day as well. I got to warn you though most local jobs want some experience. Some will take you right out of school but that’s usually not the case. They usually want a year or even several years experience but a lot of them right now will settle for a few months experience…but most local jobs still won’t hire you fresh out of school. You’ll probably have to a take a job that isn’t the greatest to get your experience before moving onto greener pastures. I know that sucks but it’s the truth.

 

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4228937]Hi truckin, sorry to be a wet blanket, but there aren't many options for you. So much nowadays is OTR, and that doesn't sound like an option for you. Have you considered driving a fork lift for a freight outfit? I know lots of companies are looking for dock work, mostly 2nd shift and you might be able to do a little driving. Like you say, dump truck won't help you much, but it is a good job, and most of it is local. If you do, be careful, dump trucking ain't for the weak of heart, and it's incredibly boring.[/QUOTE]

In central PA there are tons of local driving jobs.

 

You don't have to go OTR for a year to get driving experience that is one of the biggest myths out there.