Thinking of AZ training and need advice...

Do not try to go on your own as part time. That will be certain financial suicide. Insurance on a new driver and new authority will be at least 18,000 per year, regardless of how much work you do or don't do. Being the new guy on the block you will have a difficult time finding steady good paying work. Add in part time and that's even more difficult. Customers want regularity. Nevermind the fact there is a whole lot to know on the business side of which you know zero. You will get taken advantage of at every opportunity. You will lose. I would bet both testicles on it.

There are absolutely companies that will hire you and work around your schedule. I have a friend driving for a company out of Chatham and there's guys there doing exactly that. Some work 4 days a week, others work weekends only as they have some other 40 hour Monday to Friday job and want to do trucking on the weekends, etc.

What city are you close to?

 

Look for companies with day cab trucks. The ones with no sleeper. They will be the most flexible with your situation. The long haul will likely be impossible to juggle with your current paramedic job.

You might check out challenger in Cambridge. Or take a look at who has trailers in the Toyota plant there. Trailwood transport, verspeeten, etc. There are several. All those auto parts hauling jobs are a good way to start and lots of it is small radius work home daily. Just be up front with the company tell them what you want to do and see what they can offer. Don't fall for any of that crap "you have to go on the road for x time before a local position is available". That's bs. Move on to next company. I would suggest loblaw in Cambridge doing grocery delivery, but I am not sure if they closed that distribution warehouse or not. I very rarely go there. They suck to deliver to. But there's lots of positions where you start from there take the groceries to a store and bring the truck back and go home. Maybe Canada cartage is still doing that for sobeys I think? I have heard cc really sucks to work for however. A company called Wilson does the same thing for Metro grocery stores.

It is good to pay for the schooling out of pocket at an accredited school like you are. It shows employers you are seriously interested. It also works in your favour you won't ever be under a company's thumb if you do the training by company route.

 

I should add.
It would not hurt to call possible target employers before you begin the schooling. They should give it to you on the straight and narrow at that point. It's when you arrive and appear to need employment they will blow smoke up your back side just to get you in the seat. Which is not your situation at all.
Gibson is another one. Not sure where all these companies have yards though.

 

Good Morning.
I second "Gokiddogo" in regards to buying a truck, right off the hop...especially if your intention is to do Part-time work. It is very expensive to own a unit outright. You would be contracting for a transportation company (most of which will make you sign for a minimum of a year) There are also lots of hidden expenses, re: licensing, insurance, fuel, maintenance, etc. If the truck is not running Full-time. you will most certainly lose money in that endeavor.
There are a ton of companies out there that offer formal training programs upon graduation with an accredited AZ License. These are the "bigger" companies out there, that have been mentioned above.
The issue you may come across, especially being in the career that you're in now...is the difference in pay scale. Although the job is certainly different, & there is potential to earn a lot. It may be a shock to you (and your bank account)
Our average driver made over 80k last year...but the difference is that this is based on full time driving, in an Over the road/cross border scenario.
With a part time gig (in my opinion) you would likely be doing local work. Typically so the company could guarantee the home time you require. Most companies are looking for someone with some type of commercial driving, and although you drive for a living as a paramedic...I acknowledge that you have some of the basic skills in regards to regulations (similar to what a commercial driver needs to know) But...its a different ball game when you're hauling 80,000 lbs down the road.
This is by no means a way to discourage you.
Driving is most absolutely a rewarding career, our industry has some of the hardest working people that I have ever met.
It is just going to take some research on your behalf, in regards to exactly what you would like to do "part-time" as there are many commodities, and commercial vehicles that you can operate.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavor.

 

Temp agencies?