CT Local/Regional

[ToolMaker]

Well, after being in the manufacturing industry for the last 11 years, my company closed it's doors at the end of June. I was working as a ToolMaker and making decent money, but I honestly never liked it, it never felt right to me. I guess I fell into that rut of having a decent job that made me miserable, but couldn't (or didn't have the nerve) to leave it due to financial responsibilities.

Driving was something that has always appealed to me...it may be one of the few things that I've always enjoyed doing, whether it be a car, truck, or motorcycle. Since my company actually closed it's doors and moved, I was eligible for paid training through the State of CT....I opted to attend NETTTS in Somers CT.

Fast forward to now.....I've gotten my CDL-A and I am in the process of looking for a job.....now here's the hard part. It seems that every local job I see or apply to requires a minimum of 1 years experience....I have no desire to be gone for long periods of time.....don't get me wrong, being out for 5 days and then being home on weekends would be tolerable, but I would prefer being home every night. Is going OTR the only way I can "pay my dues"? The thought of being OTR with a trainer for several weeks, living in the truck with a stranger is very unappealing. I am relatively young (34), have a clean DMV record, solid employment history, zero criminal/drug history, etc Doesn't that count for anything? Thanks for your time..........jeff

[larryh31]

Getting a local class "b" job driving tow trucks, dump trucks, school buses, etc without experience is pretty easy. Getting a class "a" job driving a tractor trailer without experience is going to very difficult to do. It's possible, but you will be competing for the job against other people with 1 or more years experience OTR.

If you don't mind a little lifting, check with food and beverage companies like coke, miller brewing, etc. They tend to have higher turnover rates than most companies due to all the lifting involved. And therefore may take a chance on a new driver.

[ToolMaker]

Getting a local class "b" job driving tow trucks, dump trucks, school buses, etc without experience is pretty easy. Getting a class "a" job driving a tractor trailer without experience is going to very difficult to do. It's possible, but you will be competing for the job against other people with 1 or more years experience OTR.

If you don't mind a little lifting, check with food and beverage companies like coke, miller brewing, etc. They tend to have higher turnover rates than most companies due to all the lifting involved. And therefore may take a chance on a new driver.

thanks...I sppreciate the advice, I will look into that further. wish me luck

[mike3fan]

TMC has local NE work,and they hire newbies,if you don't mind flat bed work

[ToolMaker]

TMC has local NE work,and they hire newbies,if you don't mind flat bed work

That does look promising....however, I believe I would still have to spend 6 weeks with a driver trainer, though.

[mike3fan]

pretty small price in the overall scheme of things,six weeks to be able to be home every night or at least every other night,plus be guaranteed over 1k a week.......anyone wanna buy a truck?

[ToolMaker]

pretty small price in the overall scheme of things,six weeks to be able to be home every night or at least every other night,plus be guaranteed over 1k a week.......anyone wanna buy a truck?

you're right. I didn't mean to sound like that much of a weenie!!

[Deus]

Food service is your best bet without experience. Just keep in mind once you're local you're kinda stuck local. Most of the LTL/foodservice companies say "Required 1/2 yrs. tractor trailer experience", if you look at the OTR companies though they require OTR experience. So OTR can transfer to LTL but not the other way around.

[classicxl]

what kind of truck are you selling

I am relatively young (34), have a clean DMV record, solid employment history, zero criminal/drug history, etc Doesn't that count for anything?

It would help greatly if you have proficiency in any language BUT English. An adverse allergic reaction to deodorant, toothpaste, and soap is also considered a plus. You get extra points for a towel around your head and/or deported from your war-ravaged homeland. Recently paroled with a rap sheet a mile long will get the red carpet rolled out for you.

Better yet, tell em' you'll work for three hots and a cot!! That'll get your foot in the door for sure!

[mike3fan]

what kind of truck are you selling

just makin a comment on how much better the tmc local dedicated seems to the headaches of owning my own truck.. 8)

[Mattangcobra]

It would help greatly if you have proficiency in any language BUT English. An adverse allergic reaction to deodorant, toothpaste, and soap is also considered a plus. You get extra points for a towel around your head and/or deported from your war-ravaged homeland. Recently paroled with a rap sheet a mile long will get the red carpet rolled out for you.

Better yet, tell em' you'll work for three hots and a cot!! That'll get your foot in the door for sure!

Lmao

[ToolMaker]

I am relatively young (34), have a clean DMV record, solid employment history, zero criminal/drug history, etc Doesn't that count for anything?

It would help greatly if you have proficiency in any language BUT English. An adverse allergic reaction to deodorant, toothpaste, and soap is also considered a plus. You get extra points for a towel around your head and/or deported from your war-ravaged homeland. Recently paroled with a rap sheet a mile long will get the red carpet rolled out for you.

thnks for your input :withstupid:

[motman68]

I'd hate to burst anyones bubble but TMC wont offer any newbie a home every night job i just finished my orientation at TMC and i'm just sitting here waiting for them to find me a trainer since there are none here in the northeast.I was told that i'm longhaul so i'll live with it till i move to New Jersey then i can atleast go line haul.I attended NETTTS and while i was there they pushed the Northeast Dedicated Regional on us only to have lied just like any other recruiter would so i'll make the best of my transition to my new truck driving career with my eyes wide open

[ToolMaker]

I'd hate to burst anyones bubble but TMC wont offer any newbie a home every night job i just finished my orientation at TMC and i'm just sitting here waiting for them to find me a trainer since there are none here in the northeast.I was told that i'm longhaul so i'll live with it till i move to New Jersey then i can atleast go line haul.I attended NETTTS and while i was there they pushed the Northeast Dedicated Regional on us only to have lied just like any other recruiter would so i'll make the best of my transition to my new truck driving career with my eyes wide open

Motoman......you are correct. I just was "approved" by TMC and was told that I would be longhaul, also. I went to NETTTS, but never spoke to any recruiters while I was there, so they never got a chance to lie to me

How was orientation? Are you happy you chose TMC? I have to figure out this week (me and the wife) if I want to go there...

[roadranger]

JB Hunt has dedicated runs up here in the NorthEast corner of CT and only requires 3 month experience. No matter what you will probably need to be with a trainer for that long anyways. I lucked (?) out and when I got out of the school found someone desperate and dumb (and low paying) enough to put me in a truck locally. I was delivering in Boston the second day by myself through too narrow detours and all :shock: . Fortunately there was no work the next day so I had a couple nights to stop shakeing . These idiots gave me no support and mentoring which I really needed so after 6 months of a couple days a week part-time (was to go full time in about three more months for the summer for good dollars) I was about to go with JB when I found an OK local that I've been with almost 2 years now. I think JB would have been the better choice paywise but as far as mentoring I didn't see how I'd get that there. I think I'm a far better driver now than I would be going right to JB and I might still try them someday as their trucks are parked next to my yard so I could walk to work! 8)