Question:
hello everyone i just got my class a cdl with my tanker,hazmat,double triples. about a month now i have had my cdl i was wondering were is the best place too start because in nyc it is almost impossible to drive here there are so many jobs here but they all want at least 1 year of driving experience.they wont even give u a road test with out u telling them u been driving prior to your license but were are u gonna start and get experience if no one wants to give it too you. so i was also thinking maybe i should drive a box truck but it doesnt make me happy because i went for my cdl a not my cdl b but i understand about the experience exp,in the city of new york so i am actually thinking about driving out of state for at least a year and get some otr exp.but ive noticed even with some companies here as long as u lie to them and even say u been a yard jockey before u got your cdl for a few months they will give u a road test and see but i like to be honest but im seeing its not all about that in this bizz sometimes.didnt really wanna drive otr but if it takes that i will have no prob doing it because the local jobs in nyc are very nice some jobs here with 1 year experience the start u with $45-$55,000 a year wich is pretty good to drive out of state and start with $30,000 isnt to compelling for me but i guess you have to start some were . all advice very well appreciated thank you . N2PFS.........
[This message was edited by N2PFS on July 15, 2003 at 13:07.]

Answer:
Every time you start a new career you gonna have to start at the bottom and put your time in. After you get that 1st year under your belt, then the doors will start to open. I will graguate from driving school tomorrow. I know that the company that I am going to start with will pay me the minimal, cause I am just a student. Do I like it? No, but when I decided to be a Truck Driver I knew this will happen and I knew that I will have to start from the bottom. My goals now is to get that year under my belt and save as much $$$ as I can to buy my own truck. In the meantime I will be getting the experience and the knowledge of the business in a company truck. During this year or two that I am learning the ropes, I will keep a tab of my expenses, their truck expenses, make notes of any abnormalities, the good and the bad of things. That way when the time comes to get my own truck, I know what to expect and be prepare for it. Hopefully this will make me more prepared and ready for the ownership of my truck, in which return will help me to be successfull. Again expect a lower income at first, but go the extra mile throughout the "apprenticeship time" so that you can reap your rewards later.

Answer:
with what my esteemed colleague said. Get in a year and you are golden.
However stay with one company for that year. Don't start job hopping because it sucks. It's going to. Newbie starter companies know that you need them a bit more than they need you.
Start of with like Swift or FFE. Put in your time. Don't aggrivate your dispatcher, but mostly just do the job you were hired to do.
Always strive to do better. Don't ever just settle for something thinking it's as good as you'll everget.

Answer:
More than likely you are going to have to hire on with an OTR or regional company that hires newbies. After 1 or 2 years the oppurtunites to go local will start becoming open to you, though even then you may end up having to start at the bottom with some of those local companies and move up the ladder (ie more dock work than driving).
While occasionaly some of the "local" companies may hire new drivers many of the small one sthat do will offer you little or no training and you will find yourself in a world of hurt in no time at all.
So your best bet is to sign on with a training company and keep your employment and driving record clean and get some experience and then go from there.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
containers

Answer:
I strongly agree with what Nick, Cessna Pilot & Uturn said. Go to work for a "training company". Dive in head first, do a good job.
After a year or so, you will have "paid your dues" so to speak. Finding a good local or regional job will come easier for you.
One thing to remember, if / when you go OTR, don't let dispatchers bully you in to taking loads that you can't run! Run and log legal!!! 'Cuz if you don't and you screw up and kill or maim somebody, it's your wallet and life the lawyers go after!
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)


Answer:
DO YOUR TIME!!!!

Answer:
Hoss has a very, very good point.
When you get this CDL you are held to a higher standard. You now must guard this license and treat it like gold. Any problems on your DMV from here out can really hamper you. It doesn't matter if you are in a truck or your personal car.
Wherever you go stay for a year. Unless you are dead-flat broke do not job hop.
Most of all open your eyes and take it all in. It's a fun ride!

Answer:
You don't have to drive a year otr to get a driving job in metro NY . Go get a copy of the Sunday Newark Star Ledger or find it online. There are a zillion driver jobs in it mostly container and rail work. Quitting and moving to a better paying co is the norm in that sector of the biz and you will be home every night.`You are only a few miles away from one of the busiest ports in the world an excellent place to learn the ropes of trucking without eating in a truckstop every night.

Answer:
thank you for all the reply`s i really appreciate all the info everyone is giving to me. and caboverpete i didnt even think about that wich i wouldnt even mind starting as a yard jockey or something like that for even a few months because a lot of the company here even ask if i had at least 3 months of driving no matter what it was as long as i were behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler,and to them i was honest and saying no. but i will check out that paper i also have a place were there asking only 3 months of driving and they haul municipal waste from brooklyn to long island and the pay $200 a day for a few trips so i dont even mind that a lot of people wouldnt do it because of the smell but hey gotta get the experience some were so i will check that out too. but thank you once again to everyone for the info !!!
n2pfs