Regional/Local Routes For New Drivers

Ok, typical doom and gloom about local work.

Indeed, the typical gloom and doom. I would look at LTL. Pick-up and Delivery (P&D, a/k/a City Driver) might take you to some challenging customer locations, but linehaul is very different. You'll be running between your company's terminals, which in my experience and what I've seen of other companies, tend to be easy to get to and not too difficult to maneuver in. And everyone there works for the same company you do, which can make a difference. When I was getting started, other drivers and dock workers were almost always generous with their time and knowledge helping out a rookie teammate who is trying to figure things out.

It took less than 90 seconds on indeed.com to find this entry level job in Columbus. I haven't worked for Pitt Ohio or spoken with anyone who has, so I have no first- or secondhand knowledge, but I see their trucks frequently, and their equipment looks reasonably new and well maintained. But that's just one example - you should do your own digging.

When I was doing linehaul it was 11 or 12 hours a night, 5x a week. There were usually weekend trips available for drivers who wanted some extra work. So it's a lot, but you're not a stranger at home. There's time to sit down together for a meal every day, and participate in all the work that goes into running a household. For me and my significant other, that was very important.

You're definitely a faster hire if you have your CDL in-hand.

I'm not trying to totally refute your comment, Scott, but be careful here and consider this if you would... While that may be true with some companies, it is not always the case with every company. Most companies prefer hiring drivers who have gone through their CDL program.

Maybe I didn't say that quite the right way: If you go to a private school then several companies that would hire you will bypass the basic skills training and train you on the way they want you to drive. When you present as a licensed CDL holder then they know you have some basic driving skills and they will build on that. Also, companies that provide training require a commitment and if something goes wrong you might be financially liable for the training however government sponsored training may be available at no cost to those who qualify. They may provide training even if you're working in a lower paying job and want to move up. I understand that government sponsored CDL training usually starts in July (at least in my area).

I can only comment based on my experience but personally I felt less pressured getting the training on my own before having to perform in front of by employer. I'm sure there's pro's and con's either way but that's the way I did it. Good Luck!

O think an important distinction thst you are missing is the difference between school and training.

All school does is give on the necessary knowledge to pass their CDL exam. In fact, graduates are in some ways a liability because they now can legally operate a CMV. But without the skills to be a driver. The two items are separate.

Training on the other hand is where you develop skills to actually drive for a profession. It plants the seeds that if developed, will eventually turn into a driver.

Virtually all companies that hire fresh graduates will train, they have to. They will train the new applicant on their equipment, procedures and policies. It's a myth that many coming into the industry think that once they have attained a CDL that they now hold value to prospective employers. The reality is that the new CDL holder is a liability until they gain experience and training. It's also much more expensive and difficult to get a student to unlearn contrary patterns, which happens when not in a companies control.

You're definitely a faster hire if you have your CDL in-hand.

I'm not trying to totally refute your comment, Scott, but be careful here and consider this if you would... While that may be true with some companies, it is not always the case with every company. Most companies prefer hiring drivers who have gone through their CDL program.

Maybe I didn't say that quite the right way: If you go to a private school then several companies that would hire you will bypass the basic skills training and train you on the way they want you to drive. When you present as a licensed CDL holder then they know you have some basic driving skills and they will build on that. Also, companies that provide training require a commitment and if something goes wrong you might be financially liable for the training however government sponsored training may be available at no cost to those who qualify. They may provide training even if you're working in a lower paying job and want to move up. I understand that government sponsored CDL training usually starts in July (at least in my area).

I can only comment based on my experience but personally I felt less pressured getting the training on my own before having to perform in front of by employer. I'm sure there's pro's and con's either way but that's the way I did it. Good Luck!

I went the route you did, but it's definitely not the best way to go about entering the industry. I tried to go thr best route of company sponsored training , but my background issues prevented me from getting hired by any of the companies that provide training. I then had to either forget about trucking or go about it a different way. Because of my background issues, I had a long and difficult path to getting hired.

If at all possible, anyone thinking of becoming a truck driver, always look first for company sponsored training. Explore every opportunity there before paying for a school out-of-pocket.