I'm looking to get into the Straight Truck business, I wanted to get my Class A CDL and drive, but after research, I decided against it. I live in Atlanta, and was wondering how I can get into the Air Freight business. I know I can get a truck that I won't need a Class A license. Can good money be made going this route? Thanks

 

There are several expedited companies who use straight trucks. Tri-State Expedited, FedEx, Landstar (Gemini), Tennessee (or it may be Tennessee Expedited) are a few who come to mind. I believe there is a website dedicated to expedited freight. You might do a search to check it out. If you want to stay local, you may find some furniture stores or other types of retailers who could use a straight truck for deliveries.

 

If you want to get some straight truck exp locally first, look around for newspaper delivery drivers. If you're in Atlanta, you could check into AJC they have a lot of class b trucks but I think Ryder runs it so you may have to apply with them. Or you could check with Gannett on Fulton Industrial. They print the USA Today. I drove for them out of Lagrange, GA for a couple of years. Jack Hood Transportation controls part of the dock there in ATL and if you can fill in when needed you can usually get a decent route. One of our guys left the nightly newspaper routes to run class b expeditor(?). I'll get his company's name and number if you're interested. I think they payon a 1099.
Doug

 

Web site. Expeditersonline.com

 

check with local freight brokers and go to the airport to see what companies go in and out of the dock and contact them. I know a guy that does something like that in ATL, come to think of it...give me your ph# and ill pass it on to him, he might be valuable to you.

 

My company has straight trucks as well as combinations, I would say you're better off getting the class A as our class B drivers get the shaft if the route gets bigger than their truck can handle. If you have a class A you can still drive smaller trucks too, but not the opposite.

I sometimes pick up a few hours overtime in the little trucks, I gotta tell you the big guys ride much better and are much quieter.

 

thanks to everyone for chiming in on this, I'll look into all of it...

 

Straight trucks are fine, but you have a better time driving one of the gay trucks. They're fabulous, and more colorful.

(Sorry, I've read this topic a dozen times without resorting to this, but I just couldn't contain myself a moment longer. It had to happen.)

 

How about a drag queen truck?

 

Now thats COOL!