Want to be a local driver, but don't know where to get started!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by carolinatrucker16, Apr 4, 2014.

  1. carolinatrucker16

    carolinatrucker16 Bobtail Member

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    Hey folks, Recently I've become interested in trucking, and am confused to say the least about where to start and what Job opportunities a new CDL grad would have.

    I DON'T want to be a long haul driver, or drive across the country. I'd like to be able to drive locally and be home every night and home on weekends too. At first I thought this might be a pipe dream, but after looking on job search sites it seems like there are actually quite a few Jobs that are exactly what I want.

    I've seen companies like pepsi,coke,sysco, etc that have Jobs like this, but all of them say 1-2 years experience needed. Are these good companies to work for? I've seen some talk about them working their employees to death (12-14 hr days).

    What is a good place to start for someone who wants to drive locally? I have seen a few "random" companies that will hire for local drivers delivering auto parts or things of that nature that typically pay 13-15 an hr,which at least for starters is more than sufficient for me.

    Thanks in advance for all your help!
     
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  3. freightwipper

    freightwipper Road Train Member

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    Am in Tennessee, NOBODY anywhere I've seen will hire for local for a noob.
    6 months experience is a min
     
  4. stayinback

    stayinback Road Train Member

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    Sorry Charlie....You gotta pay your dues just like the rest of us......Put a Year in at a regional carrier......Then go over to USF Holland, YRC, Pepsi,Sysco Etc.. (You Know..The GOOD jobs)

    If you think your gonna get a CDL,,Then punch a timeclock at 6am everyday...You are Crazy.. BUT It WILL eventually Come to you.
     
  5. Wooly Rhino

    Wooly Rhino Road Train Member

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    I don't pay dues. The first company I started out with was a company that delivered roofing supplies. The job was a flat bed and it paid $16 per hour. I had to operate a moffit lift and that was different.

    The jobs are there you just have to look for them. Now, I make closer to $100,000 then the $32,000 but I am out three weeks and home for two days by choice. You have to decide what you want to do. The dues you are paying is the fact that home time equals no pay. You spend money when you are home and make it while on the road. How hard do you want to work? Not very, then you won't make much. You are welcome to those jobs.
    You should also apply for food stamps and welfare, that will let you know just how much money you can make without any effort. Just remember to check the little donkey on your ballot.
     
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  6. carolinatrucker16

    carolinatrucker16 Bobtail Member

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    I'm not sure if you're saying that a local Job like I want is "no effort", but I'll assume not, haha. I'm defintely willing to work, and I would say that delivering for 10-14 hours a day isn't a walk in the park. For me, I can't justify not even living in my own home for most of the month, no matter how much money I would make. Maybe for those who don't have family that would work out, but not for me.

    I was thinking that I may be able to find a job like the one you started out with, maybe a smaller company to get my start. I'll skip on the foodstamps and welfare, but not to burst anyone's bubble, I don't remember a republican in the history of the country who abolished income tax and stopped social services like welfare and foodstamps. Guess the republicans are just as much socialists as the democrats then right? haha
     
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  7. hoptrot

    hoptrot Light Load Member

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    Have a quick read of my last blog post. I too am a recent grad of CDL school ( comm. college) and didnt want a OTR job. Now, it's true that it is very difficult, BUT, it's not impossible to start your career as a "local" driver. Go and talk to different company's in your area and give it a shot. You just might get lucky and someone will give you a chance. I just got a job with a logging company(first driving job), home every night and off w/e's . BUT, i have put in some loooooooong days so far. But in my situation, it's well worth it.
     
  8. carolinatrucker16

    carolinatrucker16 Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the advice! How many hours do you typically work a day? Long hours seem to be a common theme, but I'd rather work long days then be OTR for days at a time. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you start out making? Did you get overtime? I live in North Carolina, so I think the pay rates would be quite similiar between here and Georgia : )
     
  9. hoptrot

    hoptrot Light Load Member

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    Nov 26, 2013
    Southeast, GA
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    I'll try and send you a PM!
     
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  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Sure you can get a job local with Pepsi or some other beverage company even though the ads say 6 mos. experience required. Same with the cement companies. Some auto parts companies the same. I worked for a reefer company and they got many new younger drivers from those types of companies; beverage/bad backs ; cement/no work on rainey, freezing days or bad weather days ; auto parts/fast paced and horrible working hours.

    My recommendation; attend a good community college CDL school, get the tanker/hazmat and doubles endorsements. Then work 6-12 months for a tanker hazmat company to gain experience, then you can get a local home every day job. You won't regret taking these steps when you see your paychecks and hometime.

    Some tanker companies haul dry bulk cement and deliver to readymix cement companies and construction sites. The reason you should get the doubles/triples endorsements is because after 12 months experience is if you decide you don't want to remain in tankers you can get an excellent LTL job with companies such as Old Dominion, YRC, Southeastern, and many others. Holland, Reddaway, etc.

    Here's some companies that hire new CDL grads for hazmat/tanker:

    Superior Carriers (from certain schools)
    Trimac
    CTL Transportation
    SVTN
    Schneider Bulk
     
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