Renae: Welcome aboard! I’m in a similar position as I recently completed CDL school here in Southwestern Ohio.
In order to answer your question the veterans on here will need to know a little more about what you want to do: do you need to be home every weekend (regional), or are you looking to travel the country (OTR). Are you looking for a strenuous workout on a regular basis? If so, the working in the flatbed niche may be appropriate. Do you want to ‘drop and hook’?
Regardless of the area you wish to pursue, give your first company a chance...spend a significant period of time with them so you can gain the experience (I’m simply quoting others who will share the same/similar advice).
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Drop and hook means the driver will drop one trailer and hook to another one.
In order to speed up the pickup and delivery process a driver may be instructed to drop their empty trailer and hook to one that is already loaded, or drop their loaded trailer and hook to one that is already empty. That way the driver will not have to wait for a trailer to be loaded or unloaded.
The best way to approach your first company is Apply For Truck Driving Jobs and see who offers you a job. Many times people spend all this time trying to find the perfect company and for whatever reason that company doesnt offer them a ticket to orientation. By applying everywhere you're then able to save time. Come up with a list of what's important to you and get those same answers from each company that offers you a ticket to orientation. It could be in regards to starting pay, dedicated or regional accounts in your area, hometime, pet policy or many other things that you deem important.
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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Hey everybody!! I am excited to start this new chapter. I recently obtained my CDL. Any recommendations for good companies to start my career with? I am based out of Denver, so far feeling pulled towards Regional for starters.
Thank you so much in advance for your time and guidance!
Kindly, Renae
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.