Arizona New Driver Home Time.

Hey everyone. I live in Mesa, AZ. I am a 27yr old male and am married and trying to start a family. I was just curious. I looked around a little and was having difficulties trying to find what I was looking for. I am considering trucking. I am thinking about getting my permit (when I can since COVID-19 has things shut down around here right now) so I just started studying. I plan to get hazmat and tanker endorsements and possibly doubles/triples.

My question is, I have a history of depression and so I know that I cannot handle spending 5 weeks on the road alone and then only getting 3 or 4 days off at home and repeating. I know there are companies that offer home time options of 14 on the road and 7 home or something similar. I'm not looking to get rich. I plan to do this for 6 months to a year then get a local gig making about $1,000 - $1,100 per week and being home daily (I've looked and seen that there are jobs available that require as little as 3 months and pay at least that much). I really enjoy driving and I don't want a desk job staring at a computer talking on the phone all day (what I currently do). My depression hasn't been an issue I just know that if I am isolated from those I love for that long and then get to see them for that little amount of time it will get to me.

Any recommendations for companies that will train (and pay while training...bills) for someone that has a CDL Permit and DOT Medical Card already in AZ?

You need to look at Roehl. They pay during training, and they have special fleets with very generous hometime options.

Here's a link to get you started Looking Into Roehl.

CFI has very generous home time. You bank all days you earn and can use as many or few as you want. I normally stayed out about 6 weeks then went home for one or more. CFI has PTO time which builds as you drive. Their training is free and includes meals. Also, if you have no kids yet you could bring your wife with you.

I appreciate the resposes gentlemen.

You need to look at Roehl. They pay during training, and they have special fleets with very generous hometime options.

Here's a link to get you started Looking Into Roehl.

With Roehl, I was looking and it looks like the only thing they offer out of my area is National Flatbed. I'm ok with that. I was just wondering if you or anyone else happens to know how they do with their home time. It says for their National Flatbed drivers it is 11 - 14 days out, 3 days home. Are they good at sticking to that? I have heard some companies are really good at sticking to it (some even pay extra if they keep you longer) and others regularly get you home later than that. Just wondering how reliable Roehl is.

I'm curious how you became interested in trucking. I'm not sure it's going to work for you like you're thinking. I'm not being judgemental or critical with the following thoughts. I love this career and have a long history of helping others get started in it. I am immediately concerned when a persons initial focus is on home time. That's a big red flag to me. This career takes a lot of commitment and very few of us take more than four days off during each month.

You've been very open with us concerning your struggles with depression. That's good - it shows you know your limitations. Do you take medication for depression? Oftentimes they can be disqualifies.

I'm also concerned you don't really understand about how local trucking jobs typically work. The hours are long. You made this statement...

I plan to do this for 6 months to a year then get a local gig making about $1,000 - $1,100 per week and being home daily (I've looked and seen that there are jobs available that require as little as 3 months and pay at least that much). I really enjoy driving and I don't want a desk job staring at a computer talking on the phone all day (what I currently do).

Most newcomers to this see "home daily" and think, "Yeah, that's what I want!" They think this is just like most other jobs, but it's really not. Most local drivers work 12 - 14 hour days. They barely have enough time to eat and sleep while home and then they are back at it the next day. Most of them are unloading also. Very few local trucking jobs just involve driving. There's interaction with customers, and lots of physical work.

I just think we need to have more dialogue with you to help you understand what you're getting into. It may save you from getting burned out on something you'll never enjoy. Do you like being rushed? Do you enjoy being physically involved? Are you good at organizing paperwork for complex multiple stops daily? There's a lot to local delivery driving, and most people don't last real long at it.

Old School, I read your first response. I thought that doesn’t sound like Old School. Then u came back with the second response. Yep that’s Old School explaining the basics.

I'm curious how you became interested in trucking. I'm not sure it's going to work for you like you're thinking. I'm not being judgemental or critical with the following thoughts. I love this career and have a long history of helping others get started in it. I am immediately concerned when a persons initial focus is on home time. That's a big red flag to me. This career takes a lot of commitment and very few of us take more than four days off during each month.

You've been very open with us concerning your struggles with depression. That's good - it shows you know your limitations. Do you take medication for depression? Oftentimes they can be disqualifies.

Most newcomers to this see "home daily" and think, "Yeah, that's what I want!" They think this is just like most other jobs, but it's really not. Most local drivers work 12 - 14 hour days. They barely have enough time to eat and sleep while home and then they are back at it the next day. Most of them are unloading also. Very few local trucking jobs just involve driving. There's interaction with customers, and lots of physical work.

I just think we need to have more dialogue with you to help you understand what you're getting into. It may save you from getting burned out on something you'll never enjoy. Do you like being rushed? Do you enjoy being physically involved? Are you good at organizing paperwork for complex multiple stops daily? There's a lot to local delivery driving, and most people don't last real long at it.

I have done extensive research on the medications that I am on and whether or not they would need a waiver or would disqualify me altogether, and I am glad to say that they do not. So I am good on that front. I have a part time job as a delivery driver and have spent time in a big rig with someone in the past didn't know them too well (friend of a family member but I thought it would be a cool experience so I tried it and I loved it). I enjoy the part time delivery job I have because I love driving. I am good at keeping the "paperwork" organized and managing my route. Granted it is pizza so my "paperwork" is receipts but when I am taking multiple orders I have to keep them with me and organized so I know which one I am going to first and then keep track of the paid ones and what not. I am good at managing my delivery routes when I have multiple orders. In the past I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and did 12 hour days on my feet in a Skilled Nursing Facility (basically a physical rehab place) so I was helping people transfer in and out of bed and wheelchairs and on and off toilets all day among other things. I am not afraid to work. I like to work and want to (which is why I'm cool with doing flatbed with Roehl). Long days doesn't bother me. But 12 - 14 hour days (then tack on maybe another 2 for commute)....so 14 - 16 hours for work leaves me with 8 - 10 hours at home every night. The jobs I saw, none of them were 7 days a week, so that gives me 2 days a week off (maybe 1 if they need me) and those hours at home every night.

I got married on November 16th so next week will be 5 months for me. I don't want to be away a lot from my wife and she definitely doesn't want that. And since we are looking to start a family, I want to be home as much as I can. If I am away several weeks and only home a couple days and then repeat, it won't be good for me or my relationship.

Hey, thanks for the honest response.

Here's just a few things to consider. First off, you already are aware that the local driving jobs you are interested in almost always require experience. You are going to need it. Local jobs are very demanding and typically not very forgiving. They require experience for a reason. We've seen many times where a new driver felt like they "got lucky" by landing a local job right out of school. Unfortunately they got fired upon having their first little accident. Then to make things worse, nobody would hire them afterwards.

We strongly reccomend you get one full year of OTR (over the road) under your belt before jumping into a local position. That will give you a solid foundation. Regional jobs give you the same experience as OTR. There are a lot of regional jobs that can get you home two days a week. Many of the flatbed companies offer that type of program. You might look into companies like TMC, McElroy, Roehl, and Maverick and see if they offer that in your area.

You and your wife will need to be on the same page with that commitment. One year is important, and as long as you both commit to that it will go by quickly. It's like a stepping stone that gets you where you want to be. Those local jobs are always available, and you'll find welcome arms when you've established one full year of accident free commercial driving.

You made this statement...

I have done extensive research on the medications that I am on and whether or not they would need a waiver or would disqualify me altogether, and I am glad to say that they do not. So I am good on that front.

That's great! You need to be aware that each company will have their own stipulations about what medications they are willing to accept. That could still be an issue for you. There is a federal form you will be required to fill out for the drug testing when starting a trucking job. All your medications must be listed on that form. I helped a driver once get hired at Schneider. He was a combat veteran and had been rejected by others because of his prescription for Xantec which helped with his PTSD.

We are happy to help you in any way we can. Have you gone through these materials yet? We call it our starter kit. It's worthwhile reading for anyone intrested in a trucking career.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Keep in mind that the DOT may allow a certain medication but a company is allowed to be more strict and not allow it. Old School was spot on regarding local drivers hours. I've had 2 home daily jobs and it is a lot of hours. There are some types of local jobs that don't require too much physical labor and have more normal working hours such as Pickup & Delivery. This is definitely not recommended as a rookie. Starting out Over The Road is the best way to get started in this industry. It will help you get a solid foundation without overwhelming you with all the close quarter maneuvering most local driving entails. Most local jobs use a seniority system to pick routes whether they're union or not. Do you think the senior guys are going to want to mess around a busy downtown area or take a much easier route in the suburbs? When I got into this industry I also did not want to go OTR. I have a wife and at the time 2 young kids. I ignored the advice of the experienced drivers here and although I made it through my first year without hitting anything I had quite a few close calls. Are you wanting to pull a dry van , reefer , flatbed or tanker? Some companies have a regional opportunity that would get you home for a couple days per week. My wife constantly says the days that I work she doesnt feel like I'm home at all. I'll work 12 to 14 (or more) hours a day. By the time I drive home, shower, eat and spend time with my wife and kids I'm crawling into bed with only 4 to 5 hours to sleep. With that being said I wouldn't trade this job/career for anything. I make a very solid paycheck that allows us to live very comfortable while my wife stays home with the kids. We're also closing on our first house April 24th! We've had a few members start local that make it their first year without hitting anything. We've also had a few members get fired from their local job for hitting things when backing. If you have minimal experience and have multiple accidents it's going to be more difficult to get a 2nd chance. You'll be looked at as too much of a liability. Local companies are usually more picky with who they hire because many people want to be home every day.

Here is an example of a place I picked up at on Wednesday. This is Premier Custom Foods located in Kansas City Missouri. As I approach I need to figure out what by best way of hitting the dock is. Here is what the entrance looked like

Here is the dock area

I had to wait for my load to get finished so by the time I hit the dock the other truck was gone. I pulled into the lot and hit the dock (door next to other trucks driver door) with 1 pullup. If the other had was still there I would've been forced to back in off that narrow street with parked cars all around me. As an OTR driver you will still deliver to these places but you won't be going to 10 or more of them PER DAY.