Find A Job
Topic 25805 | Page 2
Figured i would ask here. I want to be home generally night. I live in the Fort Lauderdale Florida area but all surrounding cities work. What jobs can I find that would be local? I know Food service would be an option but are there any choices I am missing?
Our area, is pretty much the BLACK HOLE for OTR jobs. And most local gigs are going to want EXPERIENCE.
Where did you go to school? Sheridan VoTech?
Pretty much EVERY LOCAL JOB you might find, is going to be dock-2-driver - that is, they hire/train FROM WITHIN. So you are likely going to have to get a job with an LTL , working the docks, then wait for an opening for a driving position and apply for it.
There's pretty much 2 ways to get into a local gig: hire from within - or - coming off OTR with EXPERIENCE.
Sadly - there's no shortcut to success, or even a start - ESPECIALLY DOWN HERE.
We'll figure out a way to discuss further F-2-F if you like.
Rick
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.
Lets say you work for SAIA local, you go to the terminal get your truck and deliver and bring truck back? Sounds too easy...?
Correct. If you do linehaul you will pull 2 28 foot trailers that you will need to hook up to. Here is a thread one of our members created about the LTL world. Bobcat also does linehaul for Old Dominion so he would be a great person to answer specifics. Daniel B does pickup and delivery for Old Dominion and has said he works roughly 7 am to 530pm Monday through Friday. I believe he had 3 years or so of experience before landing that job. P&D is possibly one of the most difficult, and risky ways to get started. I'm not sure of the linehaul situation in FL but they're quite limited on what direction they can haul freight so I would think they have less drivers than in the northeast like that thread i linked is based out of. I know you don't like the idea but OTR for 1 year will really open up some doors for you.
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.
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.
P&D:
Pickup & Delivery
Local drivers that stay around their area, usually within 100 mile radius of a terminal, picking up and delivering loads.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers for instance will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.
Linehaul:
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.
Ill bite on this.
I worked for FedEx Freight home office for almost 7 years, great company.
Florida may be tricky as rates are horrible going into Florida (always have) and FedEx guarantees the delivery times with a money back guarantee. This is why they are always so bent on experience. They are more service driven company and im sure most of the large LTL companies are similar by now. Linehaul would be the way to go in my opinion.
Not all P&D drivers make a killing. It will depend on your terminal and how much freight there is to deliver. obviously some are bigger than others.
Just my 2cents
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.
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
P&D:
Pickup & Delivery
Local drivers that stay around their area, usually within 100 mile radius of a terminal, picking up and delivering loads.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers for instance will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.
Linehaul:
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.
Thanks for all the sound advice guys. Yeah Rick, maybe we can set up a meeting. Are you OTR Rick?
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.
Linehaul would be your best bet, unfortunately i do not know enough about Florida LTL as it is own world as they are limited on where freight can go. I would call LTL companies and see what they say, Old Dominion does hire fresh out of school but it depends on the terminals needs.
As for P&D I can not speak for all LTL companies but with OD it would be very unlikely you would work more than 55 hours in a week as they do not like to pay overtime. P&D depending on where the terminal is can be very difficult due to traffic and tight locations.
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.
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
P&D:
Pickup & Delivery
Local drivers that stay around their area, usually within 100 mile radius of a terminal, picking up and delivering loads.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers for instance will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.
Linehaul:
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.
Thanks for all the sound advice guys. Yeah Rick, maybe we can set up a meeting. Are you OTR Rick?
Nope - never got out there - yet...
Look me up on facebook...
https://www.facebook.com/rick.stern.756
Rick
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.
Thanks for all the sound advice guys. Yeah Rick, maybe we can set up a meeting. Are you OTR Rick?
Nope - never got out there - yet...
Look me up on facebook...
https://www.facebook.com/rick.stern.756
Rick
You drive all local?
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.
No Craig. He doesnt drive at all. He got his CDL years ago and never got on the road. He renews his DOT card so he still.has a CDL but he will have to go through a bunch of training just like everyone else if he ever gets out here. He has been here on the website for a decade providing the legalities and references etc which is why he is the Technical Adviser and we call him Rick-apedia. .
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.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
No Craig. He doesnt drive at all. He got his CDL years ago and never got on the road. He renews his DOT card so he still.has a CDL but he will have to go through a bunch of training just like everyone else if he ever gets out here. He has been here on the website for a decade providing the legalities and references etc which is why he is the Technical Adviser and we call him Rick-apedia. .
What she said...
LOL
Rick
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.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
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Try Fedex. They have a dock to driver program that might work. One reason companies want experience is the insurance. Many of the OTR companies train because they are self insured. If not, it costs big money to insure a driver with less than 1 year experience.
Something else is that local is not going to be 8am to 5pm. it is going to be 14 hour days. You will get 10 hours between shifts that includes your daily commute to and from the terminal. So with FL tourism traffic, if it takes an hour to get to the terminal and an hour back home...you have 8 hours to eat, shower, see family, sleep... then repeat. Sounds great, right?
And if you work a 6th day for overtime, but get delayed, you may not get back in time for a 34 to reset your 70 clock. Now you are failing to report for your job!
10 hours is not long for someone with a normal job. It takes adjusting.
Local traffic and backing can be tough! it takes 6 months for the backing to click, and you want to add to that by tight spaces and traffic?
Not saying it cant be done, but it is a tough route. 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.
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.