School, or trained by first job?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by DexterSaintJock, Nov 27, 2023.

  1. DexterSaintJock

    DexterSaintJock Light Load Member

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    if it was way better to move away from California for work what states near California should I live in?
     
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  3. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    What he means is this.....

    8-hour live loads (for food -- into a reefer trailer) in Southern California.

    Time to "split" -- he means: use the "split sleeper" function on your electronic logs.

    Don't worry about that -- you'll learn about "split sleeper" later....when you start driving.

    Basically...you'll have long live-load times in southern California (or most anywhere else, for that matter :rolleyes:).

    Been there, done that....

    -- L
     
  4. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    @DexterSaintJock --

    Per Fullmetaljacket's suggestions....in the current incredibly bad CDL job market -- you can maximize your chances of success by:

    • Attend a private CDL curriculum at a nearby tech school or comm college; make sure the class you choose is rated for AT LEAST 160 HOURS (of course, even more is better)
    • Upon graduation -- get ALL of the relevant CDL endorsements: tanker, hazmat, & also doubles/triples; those endorsements make you more attrative to prospective carriers (than if you dont have them)
    • Be sure to avoid jobs or accounts that have you delivering to ANY of the "dollar stores": Dollar General, Family Dollar, etc; those jobs require more experience than 1st-year drivers normally have
    • BE PATIENT! In the current job market -- you may have to collect several "no" answers before you get that first "yes"; in short, don't let the hunt get you discouraged -- persistence pays, big-time
    -- L
     
  5. DexterSaintJock

    DexterSaintJock Light Load Member

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    is that a good thing? Does that mean waiting around and getting paid for it?
     
  6. DexterSaintJock

    DexterSaintJock Light Load Member

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    ok awesome. I'm a bit scared not to find a job after paying for a private school. Ughhhh
     
  7. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    It depends -- some fleets are better about paying for "detention" time....than others. The real problem here is that sitting time is wasted time for a new(er) driver. You need to be driving instead of sitting to get the experience that you need.

    In hindsight -- I'm grateful that my first jobs past CDL school were "drop and hook" loads -- vs live load/unloads.

    -- L
     
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  8. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    If you go ahead and get those endorsements -- tanker, hazmat...and doubles/triples -- you'll spend less time waiting for that first "yes".

    Most rookies fresh out of CDL school don't bother to get all three endorsements. Many don't fool with any of them. :oops:

    In doing so -- they leave money and job opportunities on the table -- for which they would have otherwise make the cut. :confused:

    Don't be like that. :rolleyes:

    Those endorsement$ are door opener$ -- and MONEY-MAKER$!!! :Transportation cost :Transportation cost :Transportation cost

    -- L
     
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  9. FullMetalJacket

    FullMetalJacket Road Train Member

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    Very strict enforcement of just about everything.
     
  10. FullMetalJacket

    FullMetalJacket Road Train Member

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    Actually,

    As I typed that, shipper finally just got finished loading me in SC after spending 8+hrs in the dock.

    I'm an old hippie & child of the 60's. Different & prehistoric slang. "Time to split", skeedadle, get my ### moving....... LOL

    The part of "see what you have to look foward to" should be self explanatory. LOL✌
     
    DexterSaintJock, Numb and Bud A. Thank this.
  11. DexterSaintJock

    DexterSaintJock Light Load Member

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    So hopefully they are mostly drop and hook for me at the beginning?
     
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