[Larrivee1954]

Hello, new member here. My question is this. I received my class A CDL w/airbrakes in January. Retired from my former job in April and looking for some driving work I can do part time. Tractor/trailer, straight truck or whatever. No one will give you a second glance without experience. So how do you get experience? :sad:

[devildice]

Originally Posted by Larrivee1954

Hello, new member here. My question is this. I received my class A CDL w/airbrakes in January. Retired from my former job in April and looking for some driving work I can do part time. Tractor/trailer, straight truck or whatever. No one will give you a second glance without experience. So how do you get experience? :sad:

not sure where you're from, but have you looked into Roehl? ( http://www.roehl.net/RoehlTransportWeb/homepage.aspx ) They pull both flatbeds and dry vans and have several different types of home-time options, such as 7/7 (7 days on, 7 days off) and they hire student grads.

[Larrivee1954]

Thanks I will look into that. I am in the Detroit area.

[NHHunter]

check your local fuel haulers, lumber yards, chip mills

Small operations sometimes will give you a shot

[GMAN]

They haul a lot of steel out of that area. Some run back and forth from Detroit to Chicago daily.

[silvan]

Originally Posted by Larrivee1954

So how do you get experience? :sad:

The normal way is to do your tour of duty as an OTR driver with one of the usual rookie companies. Avoiding that takes creativity and luck, really.

When I was in your shoes, they wouldn't even look at me to drive garbage trucks.

[cdreid]

Your best bet is what they said id bet.. go to local construction companies etc. Maybe a dump truck. Or try your local truck stop and look for local o/o's.

We had a newbie fresh out of school tell me he was quitting and theyd done this and that and that and blabla. Talked to him and he admitted "i only went to school so that i could get a local job anyway im leaving". He looked shocked when i told him "man otr jobs are a dime a dozen. Anyone can do otr. You're competing with guys like me for the local jobs. Who you think theyre gonna hire?? You're ending your career if you walk out that door". He sortof got quiet and wnet to talk to the training manager after that..

[nickbtubas]

Originally Posted by cdreid

Your best bet is what they said id bet.. go to local construction companies etc. Maybe a dump truck. Or try your local truck stop and look for local o/o's.

We had a newbie fresh out of school tell me he was quitting and theyd done this and that and that and blabla. Talked to him and he admitted "i only went to school so that i could get a local job anyway im leaving". He looked shocked when i told him "man otr jobs are a dime a dozen. Anyone can do otr. You're competing with guys like me for the local jobs. Who you think theyre gonna hire?? You're ending your career if you walk out that door". He sortof got quiet and wnet to talk to the training manager after that..

you must be pretty scary looking :lol: :lol:

[Folsom Flash]

I quit my OTR "Training" company job in week 2 due to trainer and company issues. It was hard finding a local job but they are out there and if you knock on enough doors, sooner or later one gets opened. I fell into a very good local job and have been here 8 months now and my company just hired another recent school grad.

The LTL companies hire new guys too but you may have to work the dock or shag trailers in the yard for a while.

Decide what type of work you want and then apply accordingly. Good Luck!

[cdreid]

[quote
you must be pretty scary looking :lol: :lol:[/quote]

Lol. Hmmm now that you mention it :shock: