Where Should I Live?
Topic 29049 | Page 1
Check out Arizona Pheonix Tucson Yuma kingman bullhead city almost everyone I know drives trucks or works at a shipping terminal you can hook up with Schneider Werner knight Crst Melton and several other smaller outfits that offer driver training programs and Arizona at works program offers grants to pay for cdl school if you wanna try it that way but if I did it over again myself I would go for the paid training rout myself ...oh I forgot swift dsw stevens prime all the biggies hire out of there also good luck to you and your family
Due to Covid I am relocating and looking to become a truck driver. I prefer the western half of the country. Do you guys have any advice on how to decide where to live? Do I need to pick a company based on their location? How close to work will I need to live. How can I find out what areas each company hires from? Sorry for all the questions but I am feeling a little lost. It's time to start researching places to live but I don't know what my choices are. My plan is to get a job first and then move my family there. Thanks, Chris
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.
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.
Generally, where you live has zero to do with the OTR company you drive for. I've never worked for any carrier that had a terminal less than five hours from Virginia Beach.
First thing I would look at is cost of living, taxes, schools, income ranges, weather, natural environment issues (fires, earthquakes, rolling blackouts, floods, heat/cold, government corruption), local and state governments situation. I would not relocate to the northeast, nor the west coast.
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.
Generally, where you live has zero to do with the OTR company you drive for. I've never worked for any carrier that had a terminal less than five hours from Virginia Beach.
Does living 5 hours away from the terminal cost you time? Does it limit your opportunities with the company? Thanks
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.
Not one bit. Whenever I ask for days off, I drive the truck home, and park in a nearby location. The location I routinely utilize is 1.8 miles from the house.
Generally, where you live has zero to do with the OTR company you drive for. I've never worked for any carrier that had a terminal less than five hours from Virginia Beach.
Does living 5 hours away from the terminal cost you time? Does it limit your opportunities with the company? Thanks
My situation was similar with Schneider. My Operating Center was outside Nashville & I live in the Florida panhandle.
NEVER had trouble getting home or parking for for vacation. Actually, I only visited that center about four times in two years.
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.
As others have stated your home location for the most part means very little when it comes to getting hired. Occasionally companies will put a hiring freeze for certain areas (typically south of I-4 in FL..Tampa, Orlando etc.) Your home location may have an effect on what other types of trucking jobs are available if you decide OTR isnt for you.
Keep in mind a company may temporarily stop hiring in a certain area but read through these Company reviews to get an idea of where they hire out of.
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.
Personally, I've never worked for a company with a yard more than a hundred miles from my place of residence. I never wanted to hassle with trying to find somewhere company-approved to park my truck, but I also have the benefit of having lived in the Denver/Co-Springs area so there are dozens of companies with terminals or drop yards.
Cost of living is a big factor -- are you the only one working/going to be working? What sort of lifestyle do you like? What terrain? Arizona and Idaho are two very different places, but both technically part of the west. (not trying to be pedantic, I promise.)
To the best of my knowledge, benefits, pay, and hometime packages are going to be ballpark similar for most companies, especially if you're a new driver. I think you might be best served by first identifying the companies that will keep you moving/have the freight style you want to move. If you're living on an interstate corridor it shouldn't be impossible to find a company who'll let you get the equipment close to home. Having a terminal nearby is honestly really just a perk. (A good one, in my opinion, but still just a perk.)
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.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
"Company approved parking" equates to a truck stop. I am dispatched out of MO..i live in NJ.... My closest terminal is 150 miles away.
I park at a TA 2 miles from home. Many drivers never go to a terminal.... I drive through them to get the trailers inspected
NJ is so high in taxes and cost of living that i think everyone should leave.
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.
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Due to Covid I am relocating and looking to become a truck driver. I prefer the western half of the country. Do you guys have any advice on how to decide where to live? Do I need to pick a company based on their location? How close to work will I need to live. How can I find out what areas each company hires from? Sorry for all the questions but I am feeling a little lost. It's time to start researching places to live but I don't know what my choices are. My plan is to get a job first and then move my family there. Thanks, Chris