Start A Career With Local Route?
Topic 1672 | Page 1
Welcome Steve.....I too have the same issues as you, well kinda. I raised my kids, but I do have a home life that I do not care too loose. I am 53 but that doesn't stop me. I have researched many, many companies and programs out there. Brett and another Steve pointed me toward Roehl to look at because they have terrific schedules to maximize home time, although its not every night. I am lucky I live a couple hours from one of their large terminals, and they have a 7/7 plan they said I can get into right after the initial training period. For the most part that will be gone the better part of 2 months then on the 7/7 plan from then on. A lot of the companies I looked at were not offering anything comparable. Knight transportation also has a 7/7 plan they say has no restrictions to start. After speaking with both companies and input from folks here I decided with my family to apply with Roehl. Hope this helps and good luck.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Depends on where you live. their are many local type jobs you can apply for. Your age will help you tremendously. But, it could be hard work. Many of your food distributors have local runs, but as I said that is hard labor. It can be fun though. Meeting new people and the money can be quite good. You can also look into smaller companies doing LTL freight in the local area. I would go to the nearest Industrial park and look to see what companies are coming in there. Usually around 10:00 am or 4:45 pm every day.
You can get a HazMat and that will up the possibilities. Tanker jobs! Hauling gasoline. Cement! The jobs are there you will really have to look for them. Check your local papers and websites. Their are rail yard jobs hauling containers like CSX and port jobs as well for containers. Not all companies want OTR experience. They will also post that they do but if you have the skills and you make a good impression you can have a job. It all about your attitude and how determined you are.
I would need to know what State you live in to help any further. You may have to work a grunt job for a year just to get the experience, but that could help in the long run.
You can get your CDL through a private school, company sponsored or even technical and community colleges. We have plenty of information here on that.Truck Driving Schools
Check everything out. Take your time and make a plan. We are here to help anyway we can.
If you have more questions don't hesitate to ask.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
LTL:
Less Than Truckload
Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.
LTL carriers include:
- FedEx Freight
- Con-way
- YRC Freight
- UPS
- Old Dominion
- Estes
- Yellow-Roadway
- ABF Freight
- R+L Carrier
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Go to Werner's website and see what they have available... If you live within 50 miles of one of their key locations you can get a home daily gig. They also have a school. My co-driver went to school with them and has the same position I do only he runs at night and I run in the day. If you don't have your CDL then you will have to go through the training, which includes getting your CDL and going OTR with a trainer. After that you can start the home daily position.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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Choosing A Trucking Company Home Time Truck Driving Lifestyle
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I am interested in starting a career in trucking. I am, though, not 20 years old anymore. I'm 40 with a wife and two kids and I would very much like to be home every night. It seems that pretty much every company I call or anyone I ask says that local routes are available but only after you've done OTR for a year or more.
Is there any opportunity to get your CDL and go directly into a home every night job? I hope so. If anyone can answer this, I'd appreciate it. Thanks. My hope is that I'm not shut out of the industry.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.