Question:
Is it possible to go to CDL School and get a job driving local (home daily...or at least once...twice a week...and the weekends...right out of school...like with Fed Ex, Roadway, Etc...or will all companies with local and regional work require a year with a major carrier?
If I decide to go into trucking and do my time of 1 year for free training...will local work be relatively easy to find and rather profitable?
I have read horror stories about all of the carriers it seems...not hiring them when they said that they would...keeping them laid over for days...unloding trucks themselves...can anyone provide comments regarding PAM Transport in Tonnitown, Arkansas...and if they do people this way?
Many Thanks to all who respond
Chad

Answer:
I am not saying I have looked at every company on the web but I have looked at alot. The only local jobs I have found require a minimum of 1 year experience with school or 2 years without. The really good jobs are 3 years. Conway will get you home regurally but be prepared for dock work. Roadway wants experience and is hard to get on anyway. I have settle into the fact that I will have to pay my dues with a long hauler for a year or 2 at least. Wouldn't hurt to call around though.
Charles

Answer:
I just got hired today by a small local company. I had to pound alot of pavement, but it is possible. I just graduated from school in November, I too looked at all the OTR companies that the school said would hire students and heard all the " you've got to go OTR for one year " talk. I'm not saying it can happen for everybody, but it is possible. You just have to work very hard at it. GOOD LUCK AND DON'T GIVE UP. Always believe in yourself. And Always be true to yourself. Jimmijam

Answer:
It helps if you know sombody too, I landed a local union job after 2 months OTR cause of that, of course you have to work hard at it. (and be lucky right) Good luck.

Answer:
Noblacktop, Did you ever find that winter job?
Mike
Answer:
About 18 months ago I was looking for local work in Mobile, AL in an attempt to have some kind of family life. I have experience so received several offers, but none of them paid enough to support the family. Went back out on the road, bought my own truck.

Answer:
When I got my cdl a year ago I went looking for a local job,all I heard was you need at least one years experience.
I thought well I might as well get started and get my one year otr in.I only had to drive for Swift 2 months and I was offered a local job with a good sized company
Now I make more money for less work,home every night,and get paid for overtime.

Answer:
Look for some small family run local companies. They will often take little experience, or train you to drive their equipment. The pay may not be as nice as with the biggies, but it will keep you home, and give you experience.
"I consider myself a good judge of character, and that's why I don't like nobody."
-Roseanne
Answer:
Look around for an LTL company that has a dock in your area. Many companies train their dock workers to get them a CDL for emergency deliveries which can then work into a steady local job.

Answer:
Look around for an LTL company that has a dock in your area. Many companies train their dock workers to get them a CDL for emergency deliveries which can then work into a steady local job.
Good advice,no doubt. Conway being an example of hiring from within. Old Dominion now offers
training for OTR. There are opportunities but
it does take preservence to get them.
Mike
Answer:
dont forget dump truck and cement mixer