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Starting CDL Class Soon-NJ native, now PA

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by Tom1650, Dec 10, 2016.

  1. Dec 10, 2016 #1
    Tom1650

    Tom1650 Bobtail Member

    8
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    Dec 10, 2016
    Berks County, PA
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    Hey folks, I'm getting into my Class A training soon. The 4 week program begins mid-January.

    I come from a trucking family - my father has been a driver since I guess he was 18 (Army Motor Pool during peace time, 8 years I think), and has been doing it since...that'd be closer to 40 years than not. A few other relatives have been drivers, and a cousin works as some fleet/dispatch supervisor.

    At the urging of them, I'm looking to get into regional runs, for the sake of family and such. I'm 22, have a fiance I've been with since early high school (going on 7 years), so I'd like to keep that intact.

    I was never aiming for the trucker life, but it looks like it chose me - at least for the time being. I've been in college on and off, but I've always called it "A really expensive hobby", because a Liberal Arts degree isn't going to get you much these days. So, I'm getting into a field I know at least more than the average joe off the street about.

    I was born and raised in Southern New Jersey - picked up and moved out on my own about 2 years ago, now in Berks County, PA, to be closer to my fiance for her schooling.
     
    Tom1650, Dec 10, 2016
    Tom1650, Dec 10, 2016
    #1
    flyby1971 and Sho Nuff Thank this.
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  3. Dec 10, 2016 #2
    mpow66m

    mpow66m Heavy Load Member

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    Jul 6, 2011
    Northeast
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    ODFL,ABF,Estes....
     
    mpow66m, Dec 10, 2016
    mpow66m, Dec 10, 2016
    #2
    Tom1650 Thanks this.
  4. Dec 10, 2016 #3
    Sho Nuff

    Sho Nuff Road Train Member

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    Berks County, really good location for high paying local jobs.

    I don't know if you're interested in OTR, or local. Don't know too much about OTR, but I imagine any of the Mega's will train you. If you're looking for local, there's plenty of high paying LTL companies that'll train you around your area. Just do a Google search and you'll find Fed Ex Freight, Estes, ABF, R+L, etc. all within your location.

    If you plan on getting your 1-2 year experience before going local, you got jobs like ACME in Lancaster (Denver), Grocery Haulers working out of Bimbo Bakeries in Brenigsville, Ashley Furniture in Leesport, Dean Foods/Lehigh Valley in Hatfield, HP Hood in Hatfield, etc. All high paying jobs making in between $80-100k. But that's only if you plan on going local.
     
    Sho Nuff, Dec 10, 2016
    Sho Nuff, Dec 10, 2016
    #3
    Tom1650 Thanks this.
  5. Dec 10, 2016 #4
    Tom1650

    Tom1650 Bobtail Member

    8
    5
    Dec 10, 2016
    Berks County, PA
    0
    Thanks for the reply!

    I am entering the field with the highest intent of trying to maintain some kind of home life. I've been getting recommendations to put in anywhere from 1-3 years of regional or OTR, then start applying for locals. My dad has been a local driver for years now, and is home every night and weekend.

    Currently I'm looking at my options of paying for school on my own - or I can have Roehl do it with their contract program - and apparently work as a regional driver for them. Admissions at the school recommended if I can do it myself to go that route, pick my company, and possibly entertain sign-on bonuses after.
     
    Tom1650, Dec 10, 2016
    Tom1650, Dec 10, 2016
    #4
    Sho Nuff Thanks this.
  7. Dec 10, 2016 #5
    Sho Nuff

    Sho Nuff Road Train Member

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    If you plan on paying on your own, like I mentioned, most LTL companies will train you to be a local driver from the start. Most foodservice companies will train you as well, but if you're not into physical labor, I wouldn't go that route.

    LTL is physical to a degree, but nothing like foodservice. But if you plan on going with Roehl for your schooling, it's not something I'll discourage. I briefly did OTR and enjoyed my experience. Got to see the country, go to places I never been before, meet new people, and it gave me experience to deal with being a local driver, but the low pay and missing my family was what discouraged me.
     
    Sho Nuff, Dec 10, 2016
    Sho Nuff, Dec 10, 2016
    #5
  8. Dec 10, 2016 #6
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Old Dominion Freight Lines is a good place to start; they have local and line haul.
    Line haul is the best. They hire new cdl grads. They've been sending recruiters to cdl schools all over PA so your chances are good.
    Roehl is a good choice though for regional work.
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2016
    Chinatown, Dec 10, 2016
    Chinatown, Dec 10, 2016
    #6
  9. Dec 11, 2016 #7
    Sho Nuff

    Sho Nuff Road Train Member

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    Whether you start off local or go OTR to get your 1-2 year experience, there's plenty of opportunities around your area.

    Also check out Wegmans in Pottsville, or Walmart (out a week at a time), and USPS in Lancaster, but minimal 2 year experience required. Also $80-100k + jobs. USPS in Lancaster from what I heard is all full-time career drivers, no PTF's. Cushy government job and can easily make well over $100k.
     
    Sho Nuff, Dec 11, 2016
    Sho Nuff, Dec 11, 2016
    #7
  10. Jan 10, 2017 #8
    flyby1971

    flyby1971 Light Load Member

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    Dec 26, 2016
    CDA ID
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    Hello and Welcome.
     
    flyby1971, Jan 10, 2017
    flyby1971, Jan 10, 2017
    #8
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