My first industry job...
 

:?

Well, not really. But I just got hired throwing boxes part time at Fed-ex ground.

I was thinking of going otr next month, but I'm getting hitched this summer so figure it would be better to get settled in with the wife for a few months before disappearing for possibly weeks at a time over the next 1-2 years to cut my teeth. Also, that will give me another 6 months or so to research, research, research...and then research some more. :wink:

Plus, I was thinking about going flatbed and Fed-ex can help build my strength and stamina, as I hear flatbed is much more physical work than driving van. I also believe in learning all aspects of an industry, paying your dues, and working your way up.

Who knows, if Fed-ex promotes from within I may even be able to get my cdl through them?

Regardless, I appreciate this site and the invaluable experience and advice of its members!

Cheers :!:

I used to throw boxes at FedEx and UPS. I liked FedEx better :wink:

If you want to drive the pups terminal to terminal, don't expect a promotion from within. They require 1 yr experience, or attending a school and driving 2nd seat (team) for the 1st year. they do, however, promote from within to the package car drivers.

Hey, thanks for the info. I would be open to leaving the company to go otr for a year. I imagine with a good attendance/work record with them i would have a good chance of being rehired as a driver once I had the requisite experience.

Of course, if the cdl training could be arranged logistically with my work schedule, I could see doing the 2nd seat for a year also.

This is more like a toe than a foot in the door, but you gotta start somewhere. I generally believe hard work and dedication will be rewarded.

If not, there are plenty of companies I know I can go otr with next fall.

I'm sure the training can be arranged around your 4-5hr work schedule. The 2nd seat has to be done OTR, so you'll have to leave the hub to pursue this. Local runs only require 1 driver.

They do have a tuition reimbursement policy, although I don't know if it applies to CDL training (it very well could).

If you go package car, they help you get the truck, and some bonuses (from what I remember).

Excellent info to hear. :D

You can also work for an o/o in Home Delivery if you want to test the waters before buying a truck/route.

Wow...sounds like a lot of options within Fedex. When I told the manager who hired me that my goal was to become a commercial driver, he said flat out that their drivers generally make really good $$$.

Ideally, I think staying with the same company is the best way to go...so hopefully things will work out with Fedex, even if it takes a little longer to get my cdl.

Re: My first industry job...
 

If you are really set on going OTR, rethink your plans to get hitched. Most women do not want to be married to someone who is never around. Most women get married because they actually want to be with their spouse, not spend the majority of their time talking on the phone with them.

Of course there are those women (and men) who like the long separations, as it gives them the opportunity to have boyfriends/girlfriends without worrying to much about their spouse walking in on them.

Yeah, OTR would be for about a year maybe two to get the requisite experience to get a good local driving job.

I would want to get that experience before we had children, as I don't want to miss any part of my children growing up.

I'm also considering Flatbed as that could get me home most weekends.

As for the cheating thing...I don't and I don't worry about her doing it either.

Fedex Ground: Does not over benefits you are either a contractor or you will work for somebody as a sub-contractor or an employee of that driver not Fedex. So good luck on that!!!