Obtained My CDL Class A, Now What

Qualified after only 20 hours tuition at local community college so have very few total on the road driving hours than say if I attended 6 week tuition course. Have some tractor trailer experience from 30 years ago in the military for which I still have the drivers license but of course I am unable to verify any driving experience by the way of total miles driven etc which is what prospective employers are requesting.

Was hoping if anyone on here knew of any possible routes into driving besides the usual team driving with the likes of CRST etc. Forum members may know of companies that may offer chances to newbie drivers with little or no experience. I don't mind the occasional night away but at my age (50) I don't want to be slave to any job, I would even be satisfied with part time or stand by type position or yard docking etc. I prefer not to work nights or any heavy lifting, or sheeting loads. Any help would be appreciated, I would be willing to commute up to 50 miles (or one hours' drive) from my home town of Everett, PA.

Thanks in advance.

Plenty of companies to start out with.

A lot depends on YOUR LOCATION.

Rick

Schneider is the Walmart transportation partner running store loads out of the Bedford grocery D.C. Considering your proximity to Bedford, Schneider might have you home every night. Worst case every week.

Search on Walmart Dedicated (search bar, upper left) for details on the account. Walmart is a tough account for a rookie, but with work, quick learning, and lots of patience you may have what it takes. Schneider will road train you, and possibly on the Walmart account. Worth looking into.

LTL might also be an option if there is a nearby terminal for ABF, YRC, FedEx Frt, and/or Old Dominion.

Robert F. I ran that Walmart dedicated for a weekend for Schneider. It was great! I was an OTR driver on loan since freight was "light" in the Carlisle area. The Schneider staff on site at Walmart DC was top-notch.

Good luck!

Thanks guys, I have completed the Schneider application, the only positions they listed were both in Ohio, the closest one a couple of hours away from me, to the west of Pittsburgh, will see what happens. Am by no means desperate, luckily my wife is a doctor so it isn't essential I find a job for financial reasons, but I have always had the desire to drive a big rig, and want to spend at least a few years doing it before I plan to retire in ten years or so!

Robert wrote:

Thanks guys, I have completed the Schneider application, the only positions they listed were both in Ohio, the closest one a couple of hours away from me, to the west of Pittsburgh, will see what happens. Am by no means desperate, luckily my wife is a doctor so it isn't essential I find a job for financial reasons, but I have always had the desire to drive a big rig, and want to spend at least a few years doing it before I plan to retire in ten years or so!

Robert, doesn't necessarily mean the Bedford Walmart DC isn't hiring as well. Many of the dedicated jobs aren't advertised, especially on the website. Once you begin having serious dialogue with a recruiter, let them know your proximity to Bedford and the desire (if true) to drive on the Walmart account.

Thank you. I will be sure to ask anyone from Schneider who happens to contact me about any jobs they may be closer to home.