On To Career #2...

Topic 20574 | Page 1

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Retired Jersey Cop 's Comment
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A little about me. I joined this site about 10 months ago. I retired from a 26 year police career, January 1, 2017. I started my career at 19 years of age. I am now 45. My career was satisfying and I was able to do a lot of good in my time. I retired a Detective Sergeant, running the Internal Affairs Unit of my agency.

I obtained my Class A CDL in 2007 for two reasons. One, I wanted something to fall back onto, in case I ever lost my job and two, because I always wanted to drive a tractor trailer. Can't explain why, I just always did. At that time I only obtained my tanker endorsement because, honestly, it was the easiest one to obtain. I used my CDL for approximately 3 months, working part time as a yard jockey. I haven't driven since.

I have a 16 year old son and 19 year old daughter. I was going to wait until my son was out of high school before I began career #2, because I do not want to go over the road while he is still in school and it is very difficult to find a company to hire you with no experience, except for the OTR companies.

I recently obtained ,y "doubles & triples" and "Haz Mat" endorsement and began applying to local companies with local routes. I applied to a company called XPO Logistics and long story short, they agreed to hire me with no experience. The hiring manager said the company is more worried about the character of the employee, rather then experience.

I AM PUMPED!!!!

I just completed all the hiring requirements, including background, medical, drug screen, etc. I will be working monday through friday, home everyday and from what I have researched, a great starting rate. 51 cents per mile and $21.85 p/hour for loading and unloading, which is fine with me because it will keep me moving throughout my work shift. I have not yet met my trainer, but since I don't have to "live" with him, I don't foresee any issues.

So I will keep posting and asking for advice as issues arise.

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.

Over The Road:

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.

Doubles:

Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.

Susan D. 's Comment
member avatar

Congratulations and hope you enjoy XPO.

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