Questions About Local Driving
Topic 29710 | Page 1
So you've moved to Texas now? Didn't like Idaho?
It all depends on the company and the route.
So you've moved to Texas now? Didn't like Idaho?
It all depends on the company and the route.
I think he's lived in Georgetown Round Rock area the whole time.
So you've moved to Texas now? Didn't like Idaho?
It all depends on the company and the route.
I think he's lived in Georgetown Round Rock area the whole time.
And always under a bridge.
I'm actually serious this time. If I go for this CDL gig I think local will work the best for me. it's not all about the money. I want to eventually settle around the Austin metro area and maybe buy/build a new house there: with plumbing winterized, of course, for those rare deep freezes. I read Texas local driving averages $54K/year. Often local company drivers are unionized too. No being far from home, living in cramped sleepers and dealing with crappy truck stops for meals. No worrying about finding overnight parking. There is also an element of safety and comfort in driving close to home. No horrible places like New York or Chicago or LA if one lives and drives locally in a state like Tx. No sleeping in dangerous areas overnight. No log books! No getting broke down in some remote place, desert/mountains in adverse weather. No expenses of living on the road. No groatie TS restaurants. For lunch I would just pack a small portable cooler daily with sandwiches and a thermos of soup. Have breakfast and dinner at home!! Shower at home nightly too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvHYPEdXMMo
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated
So you've moved to Texas now? Didn't like Idaho?
It all depends on the company and the route.
Still at Fort Sill, Oklahoma until wife gets out. We are thinking about buying a house in Austin metro area after army life. Idaho real estate is too expensive now and the place is mountainous. Lower altitude is better for my asthma anyway. There is a beach in Texas even along the Gulf of Mexico!
Texas is largely flat and wide open so driving a rig there should not be so strenuous.
Are local driving positions with carriers tougher to get than OTR positions? What is the typical work schedule of a LOCAL driver? What is the greatest distance from home traveled on the job for a LOCAL driver? Are there plenty of good Local Driving opportunities in Texas right now?
Maybe I can help, I drive local with a mid-sized company of about 90 drivers.
Yes, most carriers want 2+ years experience otr.
I work 3am until I get done. Sometimes i get done earlier and sometimes later but I have to be parked and off the clock by 5pm.
All depends on my schedule for that day, anywhere from 300 to 550 miles. I am in either Atlanta GA or Charlotte NC and sometimes I am in both on same day.
Don't know about Texas.. Don't live there.
OTR:
Over The Road
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.
Are local driving positions with carriers tougher to get than OTR positions?
Depends on where you live. If you are near a large city then there are probably lots of local jobs available. The hiring standards for local driving jobs are usually higher than for otr jobs (as they should be, since local driving tends to be more challenging than otr). They usually require one year of class A driving experience (driving a tractor-trailer). So in that sense, yes they are tougher to get. However, local companies are, more and more, hiring inexperienced CDL holders and training them "their way." I had multiple offers from local companies when I finished CDL school.
What is the typical work schedule of a LOCAL driver?
I work 5 days per week, and average 11 hours per shift. I know guys that do four 12 hour shifts per week with extra work available if wanted. I would say 5 days a week and 55-60 hours is about typical.
What is the greatest distance from home traveled on the job for a LOCAL driver?
As far as one can go and return before their clock runs out. About 300 miles or so.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
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.
No log books!
A lot of local drivers still go by the book. ELD is everywhere now! :-)
Aren't log books only required for interstate commerce? I figure many local jobs will be intrastate only.
Interstate Commerce:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Intrastate:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
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Are local driving positions with carriers tougher to get than OTR positions? What is the typical work schedule of a LOCAL driver? What is the greatest distance from home traveled on the job for a LOCAL driver? Are there plenty of good Local Driving opportunities in Texas right now?
OTR:
Over The Road
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.