Profile For James G.

Thanks for the feedback. at this point it looks as though I have an offer outside the transpo world, but it is always good to have a back up plan. i'll never let my CDL expire just in case and it's good to know how to go about making it work for me if I need to.

First, I guess I should apologize. My comment wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but to be honest, I've spoken with a few drivers recently and the info I have received was not encouraging. So when there were no replies here, it seemed to go along with what I have been told.

Now, when I say "a job with the city", I'm not referring to a local driving job. What I mean is, a friend of mine was convinced that a city near where I live was going to be hiring. According to him, applicants with a CDL license where given priority, so the CDL along with his willingness to put a word in for me was my best bet at landing the job. The purpose of the CDL was not even to drive semi's but instead was because they want all city maintenance staff to be able to drive any vehicle the city owns. I studied my tail off and got the permit. Took a class with a school here in Florida and got my CDL license. I did not take a class that included months of road training because I never expected to be driving semi's OTR. Problem is, the city has not hired as my friend thought they would so now I'm sitting here with a CDL that cost me a lot of money to get, no job with the city, and no driving experience that most companies require.

When I say "I'm not what these schools are looking for..." I'm referring to the fact that the truck driving schools (recruiters and such) are looking for people to come in and pay for training to get the CDL, or do the training and contract to drive for them thing for a year or whatever. Since I already have it, I'm not who they are looking for. As for the job, since I am now considering actually driving, OTR does not bother me at all, but there are a few things that do bother me. Drivers I have approached have all pretty much said the same thing. Long hours, few days off, and don't expect to make any money for your first year. I realize I need to find a company who is willing to put me with a trainer to get the road hours and experience I need. Not a problem. What I need to know is which companies can I trust to be fair with me? I have heard so many horror stories and I really don't want to end up with a bad company and find myself in a bigger mess than I am already in. I don't have a problem with "paying my dues" so to speak, but I do need to be able to pay a few bills along the way as well. If minimum wage or less for my first 6 months to a year is the best I can do, then this is a waste of time for me to pursue, and I will have to cut my losses here and move in another direction. It doesn't matter what kind of money I can make two years from now if I end up in bankruptcy court before I can get there.

I truly do appreciate the feed back. I know my situation is not an easy one, but I am happy for any suggestions you all may have.

The fact that this post has been up this long without a single reply speaks volumes about the current state of this industry.

I have a class A CDL which I actually got because I was told I would have a better chance of getting a city job. The city is still not hiring and I need to get to work. Since I already have the CDL I'm not what all these schools are looking for. Any ideas how I can get the road experience I need without starving from making less than minimum wage in the process?