Profile For Meso McPuss

I'm a bit disappointed by some of the responses I've received. I thought Trucking Truth was a supportive community, and I'm simply trying to help my husband navigate the job search process and avoid burnout. We're facing a difficult situation, and a little empathy would be greatly appreciated. We're not just casually looking for any job; we're trying to find something that pays enough to cover our high cost of living in Illinois and prevent us from becoming homeless.

NaeNaeInNC, while I appreciate your response, I felt it lacked understanding of our circumstances. Job searching is incredibly stressful, and my husband is diligently working hours each day – applying, interviewing, following up – to find a job. We're facing the very real possibility of homelessness, and the high cost of living in Illinois, coupled with limited living-wage job opportunities, makes this a constant worry. While we acknowledge the challenges related to his lack of specific CDL driving experience, he is actively seeking suitable positions, including non-driving roles within the trucking industry. He's a recent graduate of a diesel mechanic program, so he has relevant skills. Regarding my own situation, some challenges could be managed through virtual appointments if he pursues OTR driving. We believe OTR offers more viable options than local work at this time, given the limited opportunities and lower pay in our area. Living with a disability and without assistance presents significant hurdles, and I'm sure anyone in a similar position would explore all available avenues. Thank you for your input.

Stevo Reno, thank you for your input. However, my question pertains to US-specific issues, such as regulations and job markets within the United States, so your advice, while appreciated, isn't applicable in this case.

Delco Dave, thank you for the information and suggestions. My husband has been working with the college's job assistance program since graduation, but their industry connections have proven somewhat limited. He's already interviewed with some of the companies you mentioned, and we're awaiting responses. I will definitely pass along the other companies you listed. We've also looked into some local trucking companies, but they either aren't hiring or the pay is too low to meet our needs.

Regarding the double and triple endorsements, he's considering those, but we're unsure about the affordability of the required training. If I understand correctly, these endorsements require a specific training program beyond the basic CDL? Could you clarify that? Any information about financial assistance for this training would also be appreciated. We appreciate your advice and will explore these options further. Thank you for your help; we are grateful for your insights. Stay safe, and thank you again!

My husband is a new CDL A graduate from Kishwaukee Community College (November 2024) with over ten years of experience driving emergency vehicles and Class B straight trucks, including hazmat transport. He has hazmat and tanker endorsements on his Class A license and is eager to work.

Unfortunately, he is facing the experience barrier that many new drivers encounter, with most companies requiring a year or more of CDL A experience due to insurance regulations. However, he is highly skilled, safety-conscious, and ready to prove himself to any company willing to take a chance on him.

Open to Both Home Daily and OTR – Looking for the Right Fit

Home Daily

Ideally, he would prefer a home daily position within a 30-minute drive of DeKalb, IL so he can help support me, as I am disabled and unable to work. Having him home daily ensures I have access to grocery shopping, medical appointments, and help with household tasks.

He is open to various types of local driving jobs, including:

Tanker, hazmat, or other specialized freight

LTL (Less-than-Truckload) or P&D (Pickup and Delivery)

Dedicated routes with daily home time

Local food service, fuel, or manufacturing deliveries

While we understand that many local positions require experience, he is willing to train, work hard, and prove his reliability to any company willing to hire him.

OTR (Over-the-Road)

If a home daily job is not available, he is also very interested in OTR driving, as long as I can ride with him immediately along with our cat.

We have looked into companies like Werner and Roehl, which allow passengers and pets, but they have waiting periods before allowing a spouse and pet onboard. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to wait months before I can join him, so we are looking for an OTR company that allows passengers and pets right away.

For OTR, we are looking for:

A terminal within 1.5 hours of DeKalb, IL

A pet and passenger-friendly policy with no waiting period

Regional routes preferred (avoiding NY, NJ, and CA)

Pay of at least $65,000+ per year

Health insurance benefits

Willing to stay out longer if I can be with him

Why Hire Him?

Clean driving record and strong safety focus

Experienced with emergency vehicles, hazmat, and heavy loads

Hardworking, responsible, and eager to prove himself

Dedicated to any company that takes a chance on him

We are in dire need of income due to my inability to work, and we are determined to find the right company that sees his potential. If anyone knows of home daily jobs near DeKalb, IL, or OTR positions with immediate passenger and pet approval, please let us know.

Any leads, advice, or connections would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Thank you for keeping America moving!