Class A Truck Drivers New Career Advice

[t&y]

Yet another question and I know there are a few drivers on the boards...

If you are or were a current Class A driver, and were just now starting your career, what advice would you give to a brand-new guy just getting started in the industry?

A nephew of mine is very interested, in good health, does not do drugs, and wants to jump in. I don't see any reason why he would have issue getting hired, but I don't really know much about the industry or where to start.

An online search reveals all kinds of schools offering drivers' license's and certifications (Manual, Doubles, Triples, and Hazmat) for right about 6000 - 6500 (full time 160 hours)... or on the cheap up to 160 hours for 3500 (max of 2-5 hours a day).

I know driving in California isn't the ideal right now, but pretty sure he's not looking to move away from family all together just yet, so that is where he would be based out of.

So what does the RDP Knowledge pool have to offer on this one?

 

[monkeyswrench]

Pops told me as a kid, if you have a CDL with endorsements (hazmat, tank, etc...), you'll always be able to find a job.

One of my friends just started driving a few years ago. He likes bouncing across the country. A lot of guys like the dedicated routes, but they can be tougher to find. GSF in Walnut/Industry was a good outfit to get in with for that. Same with any of the bottling places or bakeries.

Owner/Operator is a ton of money and headache. Maintenance and insurance alone are steep. A lot of the bigger companies will try to lure new drivers in by leasing them trucks...lot's of fine print, and rare to see anyone move out of that it seems.

If going long haul, does he like "Indian Cuisine"? Those damn places are popping up next to every truck stop it seems.

 

[FlyByWire]

LTL, either local or linehaul is a great CDL job that you don’t have to be away from home for. I was over the road for a couple years and it just wasn’t for me. I made great money working for Old Dominion, and it was pretty easy work relatively speaking. The OTR industry is hard right now with what’s happening to it, but the specialty carriers always seem to do great.

Advise him to get all the endorsements right off the bat. Most important being Hazmat and doubles/triples.

 

[beerrun]

Get all endorsements try to get into lowbed a rental company to get experience then move to a construction company. I have hauled beer beef custom motorcycles NASCAR cross country and local. Stay home and haul equipment its the best job in trucking ask FCT

 

[Cdog]

Dump trucks, heavy Haul & Vocational. Be excellent at manual trans. That will impress the old guys that own the companies and it's a nod that you take the skill seriously.

The whole industry OTR is moving to Phoenix & Vegas due to electric truck mandate in CA so tell him to move now and get settled if that's the route he wants to go.

 

[4Waters]

Get all the endorsements and definitely take the test in a manual transmission truck. Local stuff is best, once licensed ready mix companies will hire him without driving experience. Look into local county and cities but they usually want 2yrs experience LA County does not (at least they didn't, could have changed). He can also work for the studios, they are not in permits right now and not expected to get into permits anytime soon, so the next way in is he can get into Universal Studios as a "Studio Tour Driver" but he will also need an "unrestricted passenger" endorsement, have him call Teamsters 399 and ask for Chris, ask him what school will get him that endorsement (only certain schools are set up to get that endorsement). I think Studio Tour Drivers are starting around 36 and hour. They open up for applications in December and train the new drivers in February so he might have to wait till next year.

I don't want to throw names out on a public forum, PM if he is interested

 

[JDKRXW]

FWIW: If it were me (and I do have a class 1A CDL) and if your nephew is interested in expanding his options and $$$ earning potential, getting a CDL on his own will open up a literal shit ton of career opportunities other than actually driving to make a living. Everything from construction equipment operators, vac / crane / ag equipment operators become HUGELY more valuable to companies that do this work. And if you walk in the door with a CDL you're way ahead of 98% of your competition.
And, if he doesn't don't like it - he can still hit the road driving for a living.

 

[MOUZER]

I drove downtown LA and Riverside San Diego for 17 yrs at end of my career as a teamster retired at 55 but before that I drove flatbbed out of HS hauling lumber for about 5yrs then a owner operator of 2. Trucks hauling has mat forr dowl chemical out of terminal island making big bucks but big head ache never rest always fixing 2 trucks did that for yrs being a company driver is less stressful...hazmat endorsement I'm sure is where the money might still be but a dangerous job.. driving a big rig is still one of the most dangerous jobs ...I've fallen asleep I've had wrecks I've been a number of fights on the freeway...road rage but I enjoyed the freedom of nobody looking over my shoulder all day long ..did my route went home every night they would say your back can you go to ...sorry out of hrs today see ya tomorrow...union driver LOL if he is married kids try to get a local job if not a lot of cross country companies will train my 2cents

 

[attitude]

I have a buddy that got his CDL a few years ago and started transporting fuel in SoCal. Manual, hazmat, and doubles endorsements and he makes $27 an hour. They either severely under pay him or there is not much money to be made on the fuel side.

 

[beerrun]

I have a buddy that got his CDL a few years ago and started transporting fuel in SoCal. Manual, hazmat, and doubles endorsements and he makes $27 an hour. They either severely under pay him or there is not much money to be made on the fuel side.

Under paid

 

[Orange Juice]

Yet another question and I know there are a few drivers on the boards...

If you are or were a current Class A driver, and were just now starting your career, what advice would you give to a brand-new guy just getting started in the industry?

A nephew of mine is very interested, in good health, does not do drugs, and wants to jump in. I don't see any reason why he would have issue getting hired, but I don't really know much about the industry or where to start.

An online search reveals all kinds of schools offering drivers' license's and certifications (Manual, Doubles, Triples, and Hazmat) for right about 6000 - 6500 (full time 160 hours)... or on the cheap up to 160 hours for 3500 (max of 2-5 hours a day).

I know driving in California isn't the ideal right now, but pretty sure he's not looking to move away from family all together just yet, so that is where he would be based out of.

So what does the RDP Knowledge pool have to offer on this one?

My advice to a young guy, with no experience, is to find and area with the highest paying opportunities, and stick it out for 2 years. Suck up all the bullshit, and be the companies 1# go to guy for all their fucked up shit and late hours/Overtime stuff. Be that guy that always has another opportunity waiting next week.

Notice who the most successful people are, and act like them.

 

[Orange Juice]

I have a buddy that got his CDL a few years ago and started transporting fuel in SoCal. Manual, hazmat, and doubles endorsements and he makes $27 an hour. They either severely under pay him or there is not much money to be made on the fuel side.

Are you sure he’s not running drugs for uber?

 

[attitude]

Under paid

That’s what i thought. In my mind, just on the responsibility aspect it’s an easy $40+ an hour job.

 

[Your ad here]

What's the desire to be a CDL driver? Has he look at where the finish line will be in 30 years and will the job allow for him to achieve his goals when he gets to the finish line? You also need to be happy along the way as well.

 

[Your ad here]

That’s what i thought. In my mind, just on the responsibility aspect it’s an easy $40+ an hour job.

Maybe is under paid but when everyone is getting a CDL with endorsements you have a flood of applicants. Some jackass will do the job for peanuts. When there's a lot of jackasses...
Why you should look for a job no one wants but pays well.

 

[attitude]

Are you sure he’s not running drugs for uber?

For $27 an hour I hope not

 

[Your ad here]

For $27 an hour I hope not

That much work and responsibility for $1080 a week before tax, he is going broke safely living in Socal.

 

[attitude]

That much work and responsibility for $1080 a week before tax, he is going broke safely living in Socal.

He doesn’t plan to stay in SoCal, I’ve been telling him to find a better paying job but his main focus is to build his resume for when he moves out of state.

 

[X Hoser]

Yet another question and I know there are a few drivers on the boards...

If you are or were a current Class A driver, and were just now starting your career, what advice would you give to a brand-new guy just getting started in the industry?

A nephew of mine is very interested, in good health, does not do drugs, and wants to jump in. I don't see any reason why he would have issue getting hired, but I don't really know much about the industry or where to start.

An online search reveals all kinds of schools offering drivers' license's and certifications (Manual, Doubles, Triples, and Hazmat) for right about 6000 - 6500 (full time 160 hours)... or on the cheap up to 160 hours for 3500 (max of 2-5 hours a day).

I know driving in California isn't the ideal right now, but pretty sure he's not looking to move away from family all together just yet, so that is where he would be based out of.

So what does the RDP Knowledge pool have to offer on this one?

Not in the industry but what I was told a couple years ago.

During the period where lumber prices were through the roof, I talked to a guy that worked at a local lumber mill here in Northern Idaho. It appeared there was an excess of lumber that had been processed, wrapped and ready to transport. The lumber to be milled was stacked very high, and multiple piles of it. I asked with all of that inventory, how come lumber was so expensive? He said it was because they were having to compete with Amazon for Commerical Truck Drivers. Amazon just kept raising what they would pay and that took drivers away from them. They had to keep raising their pay scale to compete, which then raised the price of the lumber!

I also know that cross country moving has a high demand for drivers after my recent move out of CA.

So, take that for what it's worth? Maybe see what Amazon has to offer?

 

[beerrun]

The dark side of trucking is long hours away from home little sleep low pay. Until you get a couple years under you then you should be ok. I knew I was going out for surgery and we needed a driver I brought in a kid that I knew and trained him how to move equipment drive a truck the whole time we paid him 25.00 an hour. Not a normal situation for sure but now two years later he has had one bad accident the company never said a word to him about it and it was all his fault and he is making 35.00 an hour. Just try to get in with a good company

 

[t&y]

Good info guys.

 

[yard dog]

I would go the full time education to get an understanding of the basics and more yard time which in he good understanding of PTI , backing , hook up ,chain up and the proper sets of tires and each type of combination of vehicles.. Class room it’s good to get an educated on ELDs and basic of the air brakes and hazmat and proper securement of different loads . For a new driver look in to getting on Fed x ground contractor that way he run teams with a seasoned driver pulling different combination of trailers and it’s always drop and hook and back home with 3 day turns then off . He would have a good feel for the road and different types of weather conditions and highways with a no down time because you running all the time no stopping with all wasted down time . This a good lesson in learning what drivers do as otr and a good foundation to go local go Fed x for a year and this open up more opportunities to pick the driving job that you want and to see if it’s what you want to do . Driving it’s not easy life style it’s 24 hr 7 day week job even going local days and nights I have been at it the 40 years and a lot has changed, I started out hauling hay , then went to be a contractor wiith RPS then to Fedx ground with my own truck then added other to line haul LA to Atlanta GA and the other truck was a floater picking up runs with other team sold my trucks and my contract for Fed x and went to Hy line out Lakeview Ca to be driver manger hauling baby chicks for egg production in western states and I am running a pneumatic bulk tanker now only couple more weeks and I am finished retirement is next for me ! Added a picture of my Frist truck a cabover my first truck haulin cow chow .

 

[FCT]

Get into something specialized. Don’t be a dock bumper.

 

[Xring01]

Nothing wrong what so ever with driving trucks.
But If I was giving advice…
Plumbers
Heating/AC
Welding,
Electrician

Will make 2x of a truck driver after 4-5 years.

All of the above are in very high demand.

 

[yard dog]

Get into something specialized. Don’t be a dock bumper.

I agree with that , hauling hay , fed x , chicks , pneumatic tanker in my 40 years all payed way above because they are specialized and had to trained plus alot of paperwork and rules it more than just driving a truck . Hay back in the day was knowing how to load making a tie with bales with sling mounted on old pick up frame one at a time that was work . RPS and Fed x was great be a contractor and owner of two trucks and dedicated line hauls the trailer were always loaded just drop your set in the yard and hook up to set back to my home terminal and go home plus I able to sale my contract and trucks and walk a way With money to invest with .Hauling chicks load up at the hatchery , start the generators warm up the trailer load the trailer right to left to separate the flocks and on the road monitor the trailer temp , I was trained in bio security and procedures that I was on tested every year to be able haul chicks because of Newcastle disease and brid flu . One stop at the ranch unload and reload empty boxes and go back empty to the hatchery.
Pneumatic tanker trained and tested


about tank pressure for loading and unloading the tanker and also how to change all valves from loading to unloading the tanker . Also because I go to rail yards I had to be trained on blue flag rules and be tested on the procedure . The tank trailer used for plastic uses very high pressure to unload must monitor all the gauges for tank and line pressures . The tank pressure is so great it’s takes about 40 minutes for 45,000 pounds of plastic pellets to blow to a silo .

 

[1tonfun]

Take beer run's advice and get into heavy haul. Payed better than any other type of driving job when I was in it.

 

[Orange Juice]

Get into something specialized. Don’t be a dock bumper.

Ice Road Trucking….(does he have a personality)

 

[Rvrluvr]

Walk away

You’re welcome!

 

[welldigger00]

Here’s my two cents on this. As a few of you may know, I’ve had a mid life crisis moment three years ago, sold my drilling company, and bought a Peterbilt, and jumped in the trucking game. I have a little advantage more than most, as to starting a new career in trucking ive had my CDL going on 25 years. I also grew up in a construction family, on a ranch, so I’m familiar with equipment. In addition to that, I’ve had 25 years of business, so licensing, insurance, banking, etc was already in place. So, here’s my take on jumping in a truck, and making a go of it. I started the worst way you can, got my authority, and signed up to load boards, and am running the spot market, with no clients, on real connections. Clients will come with time, you just have to put in the work building relationships you find off the boards, or word of mouth. Local work is where the regular more steady money is gonna be as far as lowbed/slide axle work is going to be. The deal with that kind on work is plan on minimum 12-14 hr days, and A shit ton of traffic. You can’t plan one day to the next, so, when you get a phone call, to move something you’d better jump on it. Regardless of how long you’ve been up today. Try to plan on having a regular life, like scheduling a dentist appointment, as sure as shit that’s when it’s an emergency, or it has to go now. Blow of these phone calls one to many time? They don’t call you anymore. The other route is long haul. Here’s the deal with that. Start your week off by having all your gear ready to go, and staring at the load boards, praying for good freight out of town, and pray for a decent reload back. That’s a coin toss as far as decent reload goes, and you often sit and wait in a truckstop staring at the load boards. It’s just like building any other business, you will not make any money for several years, all the money goes back in the business. Once I pay everything off, then I can take some out of it. In conclusion, if I was a younger dude, and want to get into this game, I’d get The CDL, and go directly to a construction outfit. At least you get a paycheck while making mistakes on their dime. Grind a few years out, then give Dalton, Bennet, Bill Signs, etc a call and play your hand that way.

 

[Outlaw Boat Transport]

At the beginning he willl have to do his first to years with a major over the road company that is self insured. carriers like myself that use a normal insurance company want to see a minimum of two years over the road experience. Its sucks but you have to get those first two years behind you.

 

[brianwhiteboy]

Yet another question and I know there are a few drivers on the boards...

If you are or were a current Class A driver, and were just now starting your career, what advice would you give to a brand-new guy just getting started in the industry?

A nephew of mine is very interested, in good health, does not do drugs, and wants to jump in. I don't see any reason why he would have issue getting hired, but I don't really know much about the industry or where to start.

An online search reveals all kinds of schools offering drivers' license's and certifications (Manual, Doubles, Triples, and Hazmat) for right about 6000 - 6500 (full time 160 hours)... or on the cheap up to 160 hours for 3500 (max of 2-5 hours a day).

I know driving in California isn't the ideal right now, but pretty sure he's not looking to move away from family all together just yet, so that is where he would be based out of.

So what does the RDP Knowledge pool have to offer on this one?

I just finished up my CDL training at El Camino College. They partner with a local trucking company and do the class right at the college campus. Cost was 6k which will be fully reimbursed by the City of LA .

I work at at power plant for the city so it’s not like I’m leaving that anytime soon, but you never know what the future holds. A fully unrestricted CDL just gives me options and I’m pretty certain I could get work tomorrow if need be.

I’ve got all of the endorsements and took my driving test two weeks ago and passed without issue. The only thing is the school trucks are automatic so I have the manual restriction, but….the trucking company offers students the ability to come back to their location once you’ve obtained your CDL to train on a manual truck. They provide the instructor and truck for the test at no additional cost. I think it’s a two week training. I’m starting that next week. All it cost me was $98 to reopen the permit and whatever time it takes. If I get it down after one week then I’ll test right away.

That’s a smoking deal since the “schooling” portion is over and I’ve got my CDL and they’re not making any more on it. They even forward emails with job offers from trucking companies wanting to hire new students. Yes it’ll be OTR but you kinda know that going in.

 

[callbob]

My 2 1/2 cents a mile. I was lucky I guess, my best friend in high schools Dad had a couple of old trucks. GMC cab overs with 318 Detroit and 10 speeds. Started working for his dad loading and tying down flatbed doubles, working on the trucks, changing oil tires and brakes, everything including how to drive. Got my Class A when turned 21. Wasn’t many schools around in early 70’s and testing was just little more than reg license. So actually got paid to learn instead of what people have to pay now and actually knew what I was doing when I started. Bought my first truck at 23 and had a few more after that. When the country went to cdl I was grandfathered but quit before I had to change. Sorry but trucking ain’t what it used to be and wouldn’t want any part of it now. 10-4 and out.

 

[mash on it]

Similar to @callbob
Got my CDL in '90 or so.
Pops had trucks and a boat shop.
Tested in an F800/900? With a 5&2 rear end. Had doubles, triples and haz mat endorsements. Let it go when I was full time driving wreckers in Flagstaff and didn't really need it. Had a 16k GVW truck that didn't warrant a CDL.

Dan'l

 

[FCT]

Nothing wrong what so ever with driving trucks.
But If I was giving advice…
Plumbers
Heating/AC
Welding,
Electrician

Will make 2x of a truck driver after 4-5 years.

All of the above are in very high demand.

There is a lot of money in trucking just like anything. Just depends if you want to be an employee or a hustler/ business owner. Quality is always in demand in every trade. You just have to find clients that want quality and not the cheapest guy.

 

[rivrrts429]

Have him get on with a construction rental company for the experience. It isn’t going to make him rich but he’ll learn a shit ton about trucking. Everything from crane picks to aerial lifts to dirt engaging gear while being able to still go home each night for dinner and kids sports.

I got my CDL when I needed a summer job between college years and hired on with a rental company.

One of the rental customers then hired me on weekends to move their heavy equipment driving their 9 axle rig between Vegas and LA mostly. That gig was money $$.

My buddy and I got our CDL’s same time. He had goals to go specialized heavy haul and is killing it right now. He got on board with an ex Uncle of mine who hauls specialized industrial computers from Austin Tx to LA on dedicated routes pulling great money every year. He owns the truck and the client owns the trailer system. He also contracts doing some heavy-haul specialized stuff with LandStar or one of those similar outfits that does unique loads that you often see sitting in Parker AZ on its way to/from the ports.

I ended up going the sales rep route after hauling heavy equipment and never looked back.

If he’s ambitious enough and disciplined and goal oriented he can fine the money holes but networking is huge.

If it was me today I’d go haul beef cattle and large car left lane like a boss
That industry is very word of mouth though and relationship is key but it would get him out of California and home base would likely be in trucking friendly states.

 

[FCT]

Have him get on with a construction rental company for the experience. It isn’t going to make him rich but he’ll learn a shit ton about trucking. Everything from crane picks to aerial lifts to dirt engaging gear while being able to still go home each night for dinner and kids sports.

I got my CDL when I needed a summer job between college years and hired on with a rental company.

One of the rental customers then hired me on weekends to move their heavy equipment driving their 9 axle rig between Vegas and LA mostly. That gig was money $$.

My buddy and I got our CDL’s same time. He had goals to go specialized heavy haul and is killing it right now. He got on board with an ex Uncle of mine who hauls specialized industrial computers from Austin Tx to LA on dedicated routes pulling great money every year. He owns the truck and the client owns the trailer system. He also contracts doing some heavy-haul specialized stuff with LandStar or one of those similar outfits that does unique loads that you often see sitting in Parker AZ on its way to/from the ports.

I ended up going the sales rep route after hauling heavy equipment and never looked back.

If he’s ambitious enough and disciplined and goal oriented he can fine the money holes but networking is huge.

If it was me today I’d go haul beef cattle and large car left lane like a boss
That industry is very word of mouth though and relationship is key but it would get him out of California and home base would likely be in trucking friendly states.

Great advice.

Rental yard work is shit work, but it teaches you a lot really fast because you move so much every day all day long. It teaches you how to Tetris Equipment onto your trailer.

It also teaches you great communication with customers because you learn real quick Equipment is never where they say it is and it’s always better to communicate with customers to find out where they want it and where they left it otherwise it’s a scavenger hunt.

 

[aka619er]

Interesting topic. I was in Denver all last week and met a couple of guys delivering for Coors and Budwiser. Coors guy made $80k and was happy with his 8 weeks a year vacation. Budwiser guy made between $120-150k after commission. I would go back to driving right now for $150k a year.

I drove in college and did lowbed and end dump. At that point I was 18-21 and could barely afford a beer after work. Made like $14 an hour for 5&7 axle lowbed and the same for end dump. Work sucked as we were always getting shut down for the weather for weeks at a time. Lowbeding was a ton of fun though. Left that job and went to Super Ready Mix to run their lowbed and end dump and that was the most steady paycheck driving I had at still around $15 an hour.

After that I tried the over the road thing for 11 months when I turned 21 and was making like .34 cents per mile. Maybe $600-700 a week. Absolutely broke. I then realized I like being home and having a better job.

 

[rivrrts429]

Great advice.

Rental yard work is shit work, but it teaches you a lot really fast because you move so much every day all day long. It teaches you how to Tetris Equipment onto your trailer.

It also teaches you great communication with customers because you learn real quick Equipment is never where they say it is and it’s always better to communicate with customers to find out where they want it and where they left it otherwise it’s a scavenger hunt.

Spot on and I was laughing reading your reply because it’s exactly as you described.

When I was moving equipment all day sometimes I was the only “sales rep” the customer ever saw so your social skills have to constantly be improving. It was a great job for a 21 year old turd like me and a lot of life experience skill set improvement for a young person just starting their life.

 

[FCT]

Spot on and I was laughing reading your reply because it’s exactly as you described.

When I was moving equipment all day sometimes I was the only “sales rep” the customer ever saw so your social skills have to constantly be improving. It was a great job for a 21 year old turd like me and a lot of life experience skill set improvement for a young person just starting their life.

Yeah, if I had to do rental yard stuff every day, I would sell all my trucks because I would not do it

So many guys in the business just fight over that work nonstop and I don’t get it

 

[jetboatperformance]

Man Truck driving pays better than a CEO I need to check that out

 

[arch stanton]

Lots of good info so I will take on a subject that has not been addressed

This is a dangerous profession and you will hurt yourself or someone else if you’re not careful, some jobs are less dangerous than others.
Lots of talk about lowbed and equipment moving, if you go this route you have a lot to learn take your time and think out the obstacles don’t be in a hurry I could write pages on the dangers you will face loading and unloading if going this route you really have to want to learn and strive to be the best
Running a dedicated route hauling box vans or sand and gravel in bottom dumps is easier but I find running the same thing every day to boring and I can’t handle it but lots of guys do it.
There are jobs where you have to unload by yourself afterwards you won’t need to go to the gym
I also run dump trucks different jobs every day taking trucks in places with lots of hazards and limited visibility takes years for most to be good at this plus local traffic on congested streets like La Jolla and other beach cities
If drugs are a part of your life don’t waste your time getting a CDL