Is This Possible?

Hello All!

Been enjoying this forum and thought I'd ask the Experts here if this is doable. To begin, I already have a good paying job that gives me lots of time off in the summer. I would like to get a CDL and do local/regional work during part of my vacation. Is that possible? From what I've been reading, it seems that most companies want a solid year of OTR work before they will hire you. Any way to get around that? Was thinking it may give some some full-timers' some much needed rest while I take the wheel for a few weeks. Ultimately, I would like to do it full-time myself when I take an early retirement in 5 years. I can pay for my own schooling.

Thoughts?

Thanks, Friends!

Welcome aboard David!

A lot of people have contemplated the same idea but it's going to be incredibly difficult to execute. Local companies do indeed require some OTR experience most of the time. And the bigger problem is that companies try to hire as few employees as possible. They don't want 10 or 20 part-timers, they want 5 or 8 full timers.

What you could do is call some temp agencies and see if they're looking for commercial drivers. I landed a part time driving job one time that way while going to school full time. Of course I had several years of experience at the time, but you might find some luck doing that.

Farmers also hire seasonal drivers for hay and produce harvest. That's another option you could look into.

Hello All!

Been enjoying this forum and thought I'd ask the Experts here if this is doable. To begin, I already have a good paying job that gives me lots of time off in the summer. I would like to get a CDL and do local/regional work during part of my vacation. Is that possible? From what I've been reading, it seems that most companies want a solid year of OTR work before they will hire you. Any way to get around that? Was thinking it may give some some full-timers' some much needed rest while I take the wheel for a few weeks. Ultimately, I would like to do it full-time myself when I take an early retirement in 5 years. I can pay for my own schooling.

Thoughts?

Thanks, Friends!

So, how long have you been teaching? :D My mother just retired after 40 years. I'm with Brett. Try talking to some farmers in your area, the Co-op, places like that.

Hi Brett,

Am a bit confused. Almost everyone says or writes that the trucking industry needs drivers. In your reply to David you wrote "And the bigger problem is that companies try to hire as few employees as possible". Can you elaborate on this please? Thanks.

Hi Brett,

Am a bit confused. Almost everyone says or writes that the trucking industry needs drivers. In your reply to David you wrote "And the bigger problem is that companies try to hire as few employees as possible". Can you elaborate on this please? Thanks.

Companies pay for their equipment and its more profitable for them to be hiring employees who are dedicated to their jobs. They don't want employees who view the driving opportunity as something they do on the side. A part time driver will never be as good compared to the fulltime driver who does it every single day. Generally the more experience you have, the more you know. A seasonal driver is a rookie, local and regional companies want experienced drivers. Quality over quantity.

Its a matter of profitability. 8 fulltime drivers will do a better job than 20 part-time drivers who don't know what their doing.

Not only what Daniel said, but there are also the fixed costs involved with each employee you have to hire. You have to cover payroll taxes, insurance, worker's comp, and a whole host of other fixed costs for each employee. And in trucking, decent pay and benefits come with pretty much every job out there. So if someone was hiring without good pay and benefits they'd never find good quality drivers to fill the positions.

Got it. Thank you.

Brett, Thanks for the candid reply....I assumed that was the way it was going to be. Understandable. So, instead of getting a Summer Gig, what about "teaming" with another driver during that time to accumulate OTR experience? Same wall? I would like to be able to walk right into a position after I retire. Guess my sights are set a little too high for that scenario. Oh well...I should get ready to pay my dues like everyone else.

Rico, You are very perceptive, my friend! I've been a teacher for 15 years in an alternative education school. Basically, kids who get expelled come to me. I'm just really tired of the daily battles and would enjoy doing something else. Best part of my job is driving there and driving home. Hence____________. I bow to your mom. Congratulations on 40 years of service! No way I can pull it off without a guaranteed heart attack.

Brett, Thanks for the candid reply....I assumed that was the way it was going to be. Understandable. So, instead of getting a Summer Gig, what about "teaming" with another driver during that time to accumulate OTR experience? Same wall? I would like to be able to walk right into a position after I retire. Guess my sights are set a little too high for that scenario. Oh well...I should get ready to pay my dues like everyone else.

Rico, You are very perceptive, my friend! I've been a teacher for 15 years in an alternative education school. Basically, kids who get expelled come to me. I'm just really tired of the daily battles and would enjoy doing something else. Best part of my job is driving there and driving home. Hence____________. I bow to your mom. Congratulations on 40 years of service! No way I can pull it off without a guaranteed heart attack.

Well, you are working with the toughest kids to teach. That can burn anyone out. Surely there are other openings in the school corporation you work for, yes? Maybe all you need is a lateral move. My mother spent her career in bilingual education for youngsters. She never had a child that was over 8 or 9 years old, and she loved it. I almost became an aide in special education after I got my degree in Human Services, but decided against it.