Questions Regarding Trucking And Home Time In Maine

Hello, I've been reading through the forums here and see a lot of information being passed around. To give some info on me, I'm a 24 year old currently in Florida. I have been thinking about attending a school a town up from me for my CDL for a long while. I've been looking over trucking as a whole for the past couple years. I've essentially given myself two options for what the next few years of my life look like. I'm currently a Walmart employee, and became such because they pay for 100% of college tuition to schools of their choice. Unfortunately I'm not sure if I can see myself in this job for the duration of schooling. College tuition is a major pro but boy are there a lot of cons. Hardly earning enough money to pay my bills and eat is the big con right now. Finally onto the other option, getting my CDL instead of just thinking about it. I like learning to operate new things, from warehouse equipment, motorcycles, forklifts. Obviously a semi would be the biggest undertaking yet. My plan was to drive for a few years and save money for college, I'm trying to figure out how realistic of a plan this is. Doing this would allow me complete choice of school and the ability to attend a physical school instead of online classes. There's a chance I might enjoy the work and find financial comfort enough to just keep driving instead. I have nothing really limiting time spent out, no children or desire for them, nor a significant other. I have a living situation right now that allows me to walk away without being locked into a lease and can keep personal belongings at family member's house. Now where Maine comes into the picture, my father is the only close family I have and he is moving from Florida back to Maine. I'm going to follow him up there but I'm wondering how companies work with that state. When I lived up there the primary export I saw was wood and paper related products. I've heard some places are harder than others to have be your home time. I was hoping someone here might live around that area and have insight to this.

Maine is a long State. Where in Maine is your Dad moving to?

Laura

I know Schneider has freight going to Maine, but I don’t know how much. I have only been to Maine once to deliver to Tractor Supply Co. way up almost to the Canada border. It was a great assignment, long mileage and very little traffic. I’d do that drive again in a heartbeat. The Moose crossing signs were amusing.

But with your foot loose and fancy free personal situation, place of residence is not critical and you should have no problem finding a company. Definitely go with a company that will train you to get your CDL and then to employ you.

Howdy, Merrick!

Welcome to Trucking Truth; gawsh I have kids older than you, haha!

Florida and Maine are 'both' kinda oddball states, with freight. I'd suggest this: Apply For Paid CDL Training.

While you are awaiting replies from the above link; here's some great reads, if you've not seen them already:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Best to ya, hope this plays out well for you!

~ Anne ~

You could check with CFI. If they would hire you from there, then they could get you home. There is freight in and out of there. CFI would train you for free with a one year commitment.

Good luck to you.

Wolding has a few drivers and regular freight to/from Maine.

Call and talk to recruiting. You would have to pay for your own schooling but they do have a very generous reimbursement program.

If you are in Maine, you may also consider companies based in other New England states. Everything is close there: NH, VT, even miserable Mass. I often pick up loads in Portland and Scarborough. There is a big Walmart DC in ME, and also a huge paper plant Sappi in Skowhegan.