Comments By Errol V.

Some McLane (grocery) locations hire people to get CDL training on site. I'm finishing up teaching a class where one McLane employee's first day at work was the start of the CDL class.

McLane does routes and most are day trips like you're looking for.

This observation isn't directed at the OP, but it's a general concern: why are so many people driving as if they're auditioning for the next Fast & Furious movie? Can we hit pause on those audition tapes? It seems like the need for speed has taken over the streets lately. Let's all take a breath and remember, it's not a race out there. Safety first, folks! 🚗💨

C'mon, Arejay, you know the answer. Impatience is a natural attitude of people. We all want our "time". Some people can manage this natural desire, many can't.

Cutting line in front of others (and those who won't let someone get in front), and driving over the speed limit (a category that covers most drivers) are some easy examples of this.

Truck drivers paid by the mile? I rest my case.

It's very similar to Amazon's DSP last mile delivery system, only the drivers lease the vehicle. Most of the time the fleet owner takes 60%, and we get the 40% as independent contractors.

Out of their cut, the fleet owner handles all fuel, tolls, maintenance and such, all we do is drive. (Being independent contractors, there is no forced dispatch.).

Watch this space...

Not to worry. At the Expedite Expo (2023) Carolyn & I checked out a few expedite trucks. Included in the "sleeper":
* Flip up full bed converts to a dining table w/seats
* Kitchen with microwave, sink & induction hotplate
* Shower with cassette toilet
* Enough standing space for two people to turn around in, if they know each other.

Still, storage is tight. Yup, photos when we get our truck.

Curious Davy wonders:

It's something I've really been fascinated and entertained the idea of myself. I'm really curious to see how it works out.

That's why I'm posting. There's an annual "Expedite Expo" in Fort Wayne in July.

Our onboarding is the first week of April. Even noobs with fresh class B's are on the road in a few days. (Not simply thrown into the pool, there's a mentor/advisor program for all new drivers.)

Oh, and HAZMAT + Tanker is really handy for increased dispatch.

Lower 48. Add passports (not in hand yet) to go to Canada. The expedite thing is strictly team. My wife got a Class B for this.

Yes, Chapter IV will begin soon. Who’s counting? Why am I counting? I dunno. But I have worked in three different trucking categories - not just companies.

• Swift Transportation. I got my start at Swift, getting my CDL through the Swift Academy. Here’s my Swift Training diary.

  I drove OTR (my first week) and dedicated regional with Swift until I saw the opening for Swift Academy instructors. This Academy is in Memphis, near my home. So I applied.

• II (a). Swift Academy I was first assigned to teach a class for students to get a CDL Permit. One week and a Friday test for all. Then I was moved out to the range, and worked with students trying to figure out how that trailer worked.
• III. Truck Delivery Driveaway That was “fun” but I heard about a job delivering new trucks from the factory to dealers. Very interesting, but after a few months unpacking new trucks outdoors in North Dakota and Wisconsin winter, I felt a need to warm up some.

• II (b). CDL instructor (again). I found a job again as a CDL instructor. From The Front Of The Classroom: CDL Class From The Teacher's POV I was sent around the US to various locations to teach CDL for contracting companies, such as Coke, McLane, Pepsi and some community colleges. I spent four years traveling and teaching in places like San Bernardino, CA, Houston, TX, and Scranton, PA.

• IV. I had heard about a sector called expediting, driving a 40’ straight truck with high priority small loads. It’s an Independent contractor job, and I lease the truck from a specialized fleet owner. My wife got a Class B so we will be team driving. The fun part is the truck has a 110” RV style sleeper” with most of the comforts of an RV. This job starts next month, and I’ll be driving for FedEx Custom Critical.

I’ll keep you posted.

Justin, you are right that no one here "knows" you. On the flip side, you don't know the people on this forum.

Let me give you a short introduction to Kearsey. Kearsey is a Mod here, an Experienced Driver, not just with her avatar, but on the road. I was here when she bailed from a Post Office job and signed in here looking to try this trucking thing.

Over the last few years she has learned enough to be successfull with a YouTube channel and is (I think) a mentor to rookie drivers at Prime.

I'll admit Kearsey showed a bit of 'tude, but everything in her post applies.

Testing? Fact of trucker life. I have been randomly tested twice in two weeks, and I test as clean as can be.

Do you know of drug use, including weed, by other drivers? You could bring it up with management, if is verified they'll do what they have to do.

The FMCSA uses a Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) system that makes every CDL operating company pay special attention to their drivers' fitness to drive.

So if you see a problem, your company should know. If you feel they don't care and you do, either 1) follow the Whistleblower program or 2) look for a new job.

James, once you solve the ca problem, you might want to check PAM Transport

I just read an ad that goes like this:

How to Get Your Class A CDL Training

You can get your CDL training onsite at PAM! PAM has partnered with Select CDL Driving School (SDS) to offer a new CDL school at PAM headquarters, to get your trucking career off on the right foot.

Apply now! As you train you’ll get to meet other drivers, check out the equipment, and learn the PAM culture to get yourself closer to a driving seat with PAM.

NEW! Get $100 a Week While in School

SDS is now offering a weekly $100 stipend for all new CDL students. You’ll get $100 each week for 3 weeks of school. That’s $300 you can use to help with living expenses during school.* NEW! Industry-Leading 6-Month Commitment

PAM just set a new industry standard by only requiring a 6-month driving commitment to have all your school tuition covered. Other trucking companies require you to drive at least one or two years before they pay for CDL school.

Here is the Trucking Truth PAM Transport Review (The details here are not up-to-date.)

PAM's web site