Question:
Just looking for info on Carlile Trucking in Specific, as well as any carriers that haul to Alaska. That's actually home. I'm just down in the lower 48 till I can find a job back home.
Any of you guys have tips on this. I'm getting a lot of good info from this place. Just want to say thanks to those helping me out here.
Ian
Answer:
Lynden Transport, MinnAlaska Transport (don't see these guys too often), Alaska Direct, Mountain View Trucking (out of Tok), Vic Hoskins Trucking (Fairbanks and Coeur d'Alene), Becker Transport (out of Fox) .
There's even a little company that works the cannery in Seward. I forget their name right now.
Weaver Brothers is a big in-state company.
Are you just looking for Alaska work? You mention ice road driving. Pipeman, who is on the Drivers Round Table forum, is from Alberta who's done the ice road thing. Relic is from Washington (Drivers Round Table) and does a lot of work up here, probably has some background. Lots of info from those two for the asking.
The gas pipeline is going to get going sooner or later. Ever think of getting established with someone locally then going solo after a while? That's how Weaver Brothers got started. Did it during the oil pipeline. They're the biggest in-state company right now.-Arthur Spooner

Answer:
Thanks for the info. Pretty much looking at Alaska. That's home. I grew up on Elmendorf.. then in Anchorage, then moved out to Moose Pass.. By Seward, would like to work near home. I'll look up those places you mentioned. Thanks much
Answer:
There are also the tour bus companies that will be hiring for the summer season soon after the holidays.
There are also smaller in-town companies that are always hiring. Get someone from Anchorage to send you a yellow pages book or see what's on-line in the classifiesd at http://www.adn.com. That should be the Anchorage Daily News link. Good luck.-Arthur Spooner

Answer:
Pipeman is the one you want to talk to on ice driving.
He's been driving trucks on ice since he was in diapers...(I think)

Answer:
I forgot a big one. Horizon (formerly Sealand) trucks containers all over the state whenever the barge comes into Anchorage. Seems that when I was driving a bus, Tuesday's I'd see them hauling full one's northbound to Fairbanks and Thursday's empties back to Anchorage. They's also run to Valdez, Homer and points in between too.
Call the Teamster hall in Anchorage, too. Pay dues and get on their casual (or whatever the Teamsters call it) list for jobs. I know they can help you. There's lot's of work in Anchorage depending on your experience.-Arthur Spooner

Answer:
I'm a newbie, but I'd like to go back to AK as well. (Juneau - 6 years, Anchorage - 1, Eagle River - 1)
I was just curious if there is a place for people just out of a school, or if there are any companies up there that train?
I don't know what it is, but I can't get Alaska out of my head. It just feels like home! I miss it.

Answer:

There are some companies that train. There is one tour company in Anchorage that has a tractor-trailer (one) for luggage. It's an automatic, I think. They train. Training to a Class B CDL with an airbrake endorsement shouldn't be much of a strech for some of these companies.
I started out driving a tour bus part-time during the summer. The company trained me to a Class B CDL with a passenger and airbrake endorsement. Later on, I went and got my Class A with all the endorsements out of my own pocket because I wanted it. Most school bus companies will get you to that level. Make some phone calls to the companies I listed. I think the Anchorage Yellow Pages is on-line.-Arthur Spooner

Answer:
Thanks Bada-boom.
I've qualified for a voucher from my state workforce services to go to school. I've decided that the community college is probably the best school (for quality and length of training at a reasonable price too) but I may just opt for Roadmaster or Sage Tech to get through the schooling in half the time. I want to get out there and start driving, and I believe that most of my training will happen on the job anyway.
I haven't chosen a company quite yet. It's a hard decision. I think I may just get on with one of the large carriers here in the lower 48. I'm considering at Crete, Schneider, Maverick, Old Dominion, Gordon, Interstate Dist., and more.
I want to make sure I go with the right company, and that is just up to me to find the right fit. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, but I do need to do more homework. I haven't thoroughly checked this site yet.