Any Suggestion/advice For A New Graduate….
Topic 32583 | Page 1
Respectfully, I can't tell you what's going to be good for you. I have no idea what your desires and requirements are.
Most companies are good, for different reasons and what's good for me might not be good for you.
Since you've already got your CDL , I'd suggest you apply everywhere, using the link here; One Application so that your CDL doesn't go stale.
As for the winter driving, it can be just as treacherous on the open plains as in some mountains. So, better get going before the heart of winter hits.
I hope this helps.
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.
Thank you Steve L. for your advice. I’m all ready to start asap just trying to decide which company is best. I agree with you about the dangers of driving in the snow, just don’t want to add the dangers of the mountains yet.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
Thank you Steve L. for your advice. I’m all ready to start asap just trying to decide which company is best. I agree with you about the dangers of driving in the snow, just don’t want to add the dangers of the mountains yet.
If you run Eastern OH and Pennsylvania, you'll get some good practice, but the serious snowfalls there, don't usually start this early.
"Asap?" Get moving sooner than later. If next year's freight is as bad as some predict, better get on before companies implement large-scale hiring freezes.
Zig Ziglar once said; if you wait for all the lights to turn green, you'll never get off the porch.
:)
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
Hey Leo,
If you're looking to run regional , you'll probably find the best opportunities with either dry van or flatbed, though some refrigerated carriers are making a push toward more regional opportunities.
Honestly, this first year is all about getting miles under your belt. Once you've been in the industry for a year, you'll know what type of job you're looking for. You may find you love it right where you are, you may not. But the first company you go with isn't a make-or-break decision. Any of the major carriers are great places to work.
I would talk to as many major carriers as possible and find out which ones will keep you in the Midwest. You should find a lot of those opportunities where you live. That should keep you out of the mountains most of the time that first winter.
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.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Thank you again Steve L. for your advice.
Brett, thank you for creating this site. It was a very big help for me on taking the test for my permit. 🙏🏼 for your advice. I’m finalizing my choices in the few days and hoping to be with a company by next week. Maraming salamat! (thank you in Filipino)
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Hello everyone, just graduated from cdl school and i’m asking for your help/suggestions/advice for a good company to start my career with. I would prefer to be regional for now until i get a few miles under my belt. Winter is just around the corner and don’t want to drive thru the mountains quite yet. Ultimate goal is be an OTR driver eventually. Thank you in advance.
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.
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.