Just got my CDL 'A', now a question for you guys

ussmidway · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 01:19 AM

I live in the Orlando area of Florida, and just passed my tests this weekend. My ulcer is gone and my appetite is back :-)

Anyway, im curious about what path I should take. My wife and I are planning to move with our 3 kids to Kentucky(which is home to me), probably this summer. We're waiting for my oldest son to graduate this spring from high school.
I know its unlikely I would land a local job, having no experience, so what is the usual amount of OTR exp. local companies want?

Im an honest guy, if I had no kids or if they were all teens, id consider going OTR and staying there. My wife has already said she would go to :-)
But my youngest is 3yrs, so OTR is out for the long term. I dont like signing on with a company knowing im just there for the experience, but I have to do whats best for my family.

Also, anyone familiar with coal hauling. Moving back home to KY, im sure that would be an option. Do they go by the same standards, needing OTR experience also.

Anyway, proud to have my Class A and look forward to seeing you guys out on the road somewhere.

stldude44 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 02:11 AM

USSMidway,
Welcome to Truckingboards and congrats on getting your CDL. I think a lot might depend on what city or town in KY you're going to move to as far as what kind of job you can get. You might have to go OTR for a while to get some experience. There are a few LTL Companies who hire newbies but they all will probably require you to work the dock until something opens up in full time driving. You'll get a job...that won't be a problem...the type of job, pay and benefits might be very limited in the beginning though. And you do need healthcare with the family. Keep a good attitude and in time you'll be fine. Best of luck man.

ussmidway · #3 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 10:01 AM

Thanks, appreciate the advice.

Im not opposed to OTR at all. I will do it for as long as I need to, then try to go local.
Once my youngest son(now 3yrs)gets older, I will be open to going back out again.
Im sort of a solitary person anyway, and I never lost the travel bug I caught during my days in the Navy. I think my wife is afraid if I go out I wont want to come back :-)

I think the best part of all is opening the Jobs section of my sunday paper and knowing I actually can apply for all the A, B, and C driving jobs.
I only went to a CDL school, it wasnt a full on truck driver training school, but the 'A' in my wallet makes me feel a heck of a lot better about being able to take care of my family.

thebeerboy · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 07:27 PM

you must want that ulcer back

good luck

TruckingJobsUSA · #5 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 11:04 PM

Congrats on obtaining your license! Most LTL carriers want 1 year OTR experience before they will allow you to drive for their company. However I have a company that would put you into a regional position with the potential to go local after you have gotten some senoirty at 6 months OTR experience. They would also consider local experience but it has to have been driving a 53' trailer. Either way my best advice to you would be to go to work OTR now and get it out of the way and then get into a regional position, if not local.

Good luck to you and feel free to shoot me a PM.

necie67 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 04:46 AM

Congrats on getting your cdl!
Here's a track that you might want to take..
Find a company that's based in KY, and runs coast to coast.. from what research Ive done, those are the companies that will get you home on weekends, or for a couple of days after a run to the coast and back...
Good Luck!