What's My Chance Of Getting A Local Driving Job?

Topic 33910 | Page 2

Page 2 of 2 Previous Page Go To Page:
Deleted Account's Comment
member avatar
McLane does routes and most are day trips like you're looking for.

If going with McLane make sure you know what type of schedule you'll be running. In my area they shuttle a trailer in. You, and another driver, will run teams in a sleeper to get that trailer unloaded. They deliver to all K&G convenience stores in Iowa in addition to some chain restaurants and routes are most are scheduled 16 to 22 hours.

Jessie R.'s Comment
member avatar

I’m looking for local around Buffalo New York, I know it’s gonna be difficult with my last speeding ticket only being two years old so they’ll see the other three, I’ve since learned my lesson, and hope to be hirable at some local job

double-quotes-start.png

McLane does routes and most are day trips like you're looking for.

double-quotes-end.png

If going with McLane make sure you know what type of schedule you'll be running. In my area they shuttle a trailer in. You, and another driver, will run teams in a sleeper to get that trailer unloaded. They deliver to all K&G convenience stores in Iowa in addition to some chain restaurants and routes are most are scheduled 16 to 22 hours.

Deleted Account's Comment
member avatar
I’m looking for local around Buffalo New York, I know it’s gonna be difficult with my last speeding ticket only being two years old so they’ll see the other three, I’ve since learned my lesson, and hope to be hirable at some local job

I did a very brief search on Indeed.com and seen Sysco is hiring drivers that are recent graduates of a truck driving school and no more than 2 moving violations in a rolling 3 year period. You could inquire with them if they have a program to get your CDL. Just keep in mind Sysco is very labor intensive and the risk of accidents is quite high due to the areas you'll be expected to get your truck.

Also seen HD Supply is hiring for delivery drivers that do not require a CDL. That may be an option as well, though that experience probably wont count as experience when going for a Class A job.

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.
Jessie R.'s Comment
member avatar

I’m currently enrolled in a cdl school, it’ll be a few months before having my cdl a to help give time between me and the tickets just hoping I’m not wasting a bunch of money paying for the class to not be able to work

double-quotes-start.png

I’m looking for local around Buffalo New York, I know it’s gonna be difficult with my last speeding ticket only being two years old so they’ll see the other three, I’ve since learned my lesson, and hope to be hirable at some local job

double-quotes-end.png

I did a very brief search on Indeed.com and seen Sysco is hiring drivers that are recent graduates of a truck driving school and no more than 2 moving violations in a rolling 3 year period. You could inquire with them if they have a program to get your CDL. Just keep in mind Sysco is very labor intensive and the risk of accidents is quite high due to the areas you'll be expected to get your truck.

Also seen HD Supply is hiring for delivery drivers that do not require a CDL. That may be an option as well, though that experience probably wont count as experience when going for a Class A job.

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.
Trucker Kearsey 's Comment
member avatar

Are you learning jn a manual?

Jessie R.'s Comment
member avatar

Manual no restrictions already passed the endorsement tests to include hazmat

Are you learning jn a manual?

HAZMAT:

Hazardous Materials

Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations

andhe78's Comment
member avatar

I'm a local driver in Buffalo, you'll find something. You've got some hurdles though-tickets, inexperience, and wanting a day shift-the tickets thing being the biggest problem. What school are you through? I'd talk to your teachers, I'm sure they've seen guys in your same situation, they're from the area, I'm sure they have a contact or two with some local outfits or even outfits that just don't advertise. I've personally seen brand new cdl drivers get local positions thanks in part to a glowing recommendation from their instructors-it's a way to help crack the door open. The dirty secret in local work is that while most companies prefer years of experience, if it comes to losing a contract or work due to a lack of drivers, they will take a brand new driver. I've personally seen that too-companies that advertise wanting five years experience but will take a new driver when push comes to shove. There are problems there though too-these types of outfits are not set up to train, so you will be thrown in the deep end and expected to figure it out.

I've got no hot leads for you-I know local outfits that hire new drivers but want no tickets, and I know local outfits that hire with tickets but want years of experience. Just don't know of any that will do both off the top of my head. My advice, you look bad on paper, so do everything you can to look good. Get all your endorsements, get twic and hazmat. Get your enhanced license to cross the border (quite a bit of local Buffalo work crosses the Canadian border.) Learn on a manual- many of the local fleets are not auto and probably won't be for years. Work as hard as you can in school so you can impress the heck out of your driving test interviewers. You may end up with a job that doesn't require any of these things, but can't hurt. And then, just apply EVERYWHERE! Drive around kenmore, tonawanda, niagara falls, etc., looking for companies with "hiring driver" signs out, look for signs on the back of trailers pulled by daycabs around the city and apply. Be prepared to be told no hundreds of times, but all you need is the right company looking for someone at the right time-it'll happen.

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.

HAZMAT:

Hazardous Materials

Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations

TWIC:

Transportation Worker Identification Credential

Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.

Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Jessie R.'s Comment
member avatar

I have all my endorsements or at least passed all the tests at the dmv learning on a manual transmission & have my enhanced license.

I'm a local driver in Buffalo, you'll find something. You've got some hurdles though-tickets, inexperience, and wanting a day shift-the tickets thing being the biggest problem. What school are you through? I'd talk to your teachers, I'm sure they've seen guys in your same situation, they're from the area, I'm sure they have a contact or two with some local outfits or even outfits that just don't advertise. I've personally seen brand new cdl drivers get local positions thanks in part to a glowing recommendation from their instructors-it's a way to help crack the door open. The dirty secret in local work is that while most companies prefer years of experience, if it comes to losing a contract or work due to a lack of drivers, they will take a brand new driver. I've personally seen that too-companies that advertise wanting five years experience but will take a new driver when push comes to shove. There are problems there though too-these types of outfits are not set up to train, so you will be thrown in the deep end and expected to figure it out.

I've got no hot leads for you-I know local outfits that hire new drivers but want no tickets, and I know local outfits that hire with tickets but want years of experience. Just don't know of any that will do both off the top of my head. My advice, you look bad on paper, so do everything you can to look good. Get all your endorsements, get twic and hazmat. Get your enhanced license to cross the border (quite a bit of local Buffalo work crosses the Canadian border.) Learn on a manual- many of the local fleets are not auto and probably won't be for years. Work as hard as you can in school so you can impress the heck out of your driving test interviewers. You may end up with a job that doesn't require any of these things, but can't hurt. And then, just apply EVERYWHERE! Drive around kenmore, tonawanda, niagara falls, etc., looking for companies with "hiring driver" signs out, look for signs on the back of trailers pulled by daycabs around the city and apply. Be prepared to be told no hundreds of times, but all you need is the right company looking for someone at the right time-it'll happen.

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.

HAZMAT:

Hazardous Materials

Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

DMV:

Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles

The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.

TWIC:

Transportation Worker Identification Credential

Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.

Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Jessie R.'s Comment
member avatar

Yes

Are you learning jn a manual?

Page 2 of 2 Previous Page Go To Page:

New Reply:

New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features

Bold
Italic
Underline
Quote
Photo
Link
Smiley
Links On TruckingTruth


example: TruckingTruth Homepage



example: https://www.truckingtruth.com
Submit
Cancel
Upload New Photo
Please enter a caption of one sentence or less:

Click on any of the buttons below to insert a link to that section of TruckingTruth:

Getting Started In Trucking High Road Training Program Company-Sponsored Training Programs Apply For Company-Sponsored Training Truck Driver's Career Guide Choosing A School Choosing A Company Truck Driving Schools Truck Driving Jobs Apply For Truck Driving Jobs DOT Physical Drug Testing Items To Pack Pre-Hire Letters CDL Practice Tests Trucking Company Reviews Brett's Book Leasing A Truck Pre-Trip Inspection Learn The Logbook Rules Sleep Apnea
Done
Done

0 characters so far - 5,500 maximum allowed.
Submit Preview

Preview:

Submit
Cancel

Why Join Trucking Truth?

We have an awesome set of tools that will help you understand the trucking industry and prepare for a great start to your trucking career. Not only that, but everything we offer here at TruckingTruth is 100% free - no strings attached! Sign up now and get instant access to our member's section:
High Road Training Program Logo
  • The High Road Training Program
  • The High Road Article Series
  • The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
  • Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted

Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth

Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:

Apply For Paid CDL Training