Cop To Truck Driver
Topic 31067 | Page 1
It's possible but may take a longer time to find. Start with the big guys and food service companies in your area. See if any of them offer a dock to driver program. These jobs are more difficult to start with a much larger learning curve.
It might be pretty difficult to get a local gig in Orlando. For most large companies, people in the north transfer to Florida for the weather so they're not hurting for people.
Any relatives further north you may utilize for their address?
I live in Apopka. Here are the options I've considered but I'm currently OTR. Food delivery services are plenty but it's back breaking work. Mostly, you'll be unloading those trailers & sorting their product where they want you to put it. You have QCD, US Foods, McLane, etc. Another option is P&D or Linehaul. You may start on their dock loading/unloading trailers then drive either of those options. Old Dominion & Saia are right next to each other near your area. There are dedicated options like Walmart, Target, Michael's etc driving for Swift or Marten (only 2 I know in our area with dedicated accts). Just make sure your hired for a dedicated route. I don't know if walmart is hiring in our area but that's more regional than local. Good luck.
Dedicated Route:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
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.
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.
P&D:
Pickup & Delivery
Local drivers that stay around their area, usually within 100 mile radius of a terminal, picking up and delivering loads.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers for instance will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.
Linehaul:
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Biggest hurdle for your success is that you'll be driving in stressful situations while getting the experience necessary to be safe & successful. Lots of backing & lots of tight situations. CDL school only gives you the basic skills to pass the CDL exam. The real experience is gained when you're in the "hotseat". It's not impossible but it's difficult. Rob T. kept a detailed diary of the daily challenges he faced as a food delivery driver. Use the search bar above to find lots of useful information.
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.
Current Deputy for over four years. Looking to make a career change because the profession is sucking the life out of me and I am tired with dealing with the public. I currently make 25 an hour and I do not think it is enough with the amount of danger and BS I have to put up with. Getting a CDL and the money that can be made has me wanting to make a career change. My community college is offering a class starting in January. I'm going to put my two weeks notice in during the middle of December. I live in central Florida (Kissimmee, Orlando). What are the chances of getting a local gig straight out of CDL school (I have a wife and a three-year-old son)?
Hay, Rhandall . . welcome to TT !
If you wouldn't mind hauling flowers, Armellini might be a good 'look see' for you. If you are set on going to school on your own, due to family circumstances ( I get it, I do! ) they 'may' partner with your college/training facility.
I don't blame you for changing professions, nowadays. PJ (a moderator) did the same, about 7 or 8 years ago. He's a happy driver, and wouldn't look back, IMHO!
Thanks for your service in blue, good sir.
Couldn't get this to paste the 'normal' link way . . yes, Erroll I tried your way!
Here they are: >> https://www.armellini.com/contact
Best wishes!
~ Anne ~
ps: If you DO go this route, here's another 'helper!' High Road CDL Training Program
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.
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
NFI has contract with Kissimmee Lowe’s DC. I have no idea what their requirements are. I just know this because I go there a lot with my company.
You might wanna try looking up NFI.
Just to be clear about dedicated accounts. Some are home everyday, others are out for a certain amount of days then home for a 34 hour reset. Those sometimes route you by your home to spend the night but it's not guaranteed. Another local company is JB Hunt.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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Current Deputy for over four years. Looking to make a career change because the profession is sucking the life out of me and I am tired with dealing with the public. I currently make 25 an hour and I do not think it is enough with the amount of danger and BS I have to put up with. Getting a CDL and the money that can be made has me wanting to make a career change. My community college is offering a class starting in January. I'm going to put my two weeks notice in during the middle of December. I live in central Florida (Kissimmee, Orlando). What are the chances of getting a local gig straight out of CDL school (I have a wife and a three-year-old son)?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices