How hard is it to actually get your foot in the door?

Posted by Adorable-Goal5926@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 49 comments

My husband and I are in our 30s, we have a 9m old baby, and we're both still working retail. We've been struggling to stay afloat for years, and it's just not sustainable. We don't like being "that family" that is constantly asking for money (even if we do always pay it back). We're good people, we work hard, we don't drink or do drugs, we just...can't seem to be self-sufficient. I recently graduated online college (Health Information) and I'm looking for my first career, which is gonna take a while in this job market, but...that's my "best try". Now my husband is looking for his "best try"...so he's thinking of getting his CDL. We don't have a lot of money (or...any, really) to pay for schooling, but there seems to be a lot of financing/funding options for trades. Because we still have bills to pay, he's hoping to train at a local CDL school (Houston area) so he can still work while he trains, but the biggest question I guess is...is he going to be able to find work fresh out of CDL training with no experience? That seems to be the #1 issue for anyone looking to start any career that pays worth a damn these days, from trades to tech. NOBODY is willing to invest time or effort into new grads anymore. They all want people with a 1-3 years experience. Obviously, because we have a baby, he's not interested in routes that will have him gone for weeks at a time...Is this a good fit for him or should he consider something else?

49 Comments

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ThatOneHelldiver@reddit

Literally easy. I went to Raider Express in Fort Worth TX. The school was free and they pay you to go. There's no contract so you don't have to stay but you're offered a job day one. It is over the road. I quit after 4 days. It just wasn't for me. Got a job running local Flatbed instead and it actually pays more than OTR. My trailer also has a truck mounted forklift. I do deliveries in DFW and going from CDL school directly to driving in one of the worst cities ever was a great challenge but I've been at it 4 years at the same company now and love it. Best thing about running flatbed trailers, I don't have to do much backing 😂 Every once in a while I'll have to back out if an apartment complex.

Upset-Bullfrog-8312@reddit

I knew a guy that started working for Sysco in Memphis when he was 23. When he was 37 he had to have both his knees replaced. So your comment about having to have body parts replaced if you drive for the food service companies is spot on. Many new drivers don’t know this. They can pay well, and of course that’s all we consider when it comes to a career.

InsaneAdam@reddit

Fuck no he don't need to start a cdl career now. Needs to get his hands dirty in the skilled trades that's good local work.

AndromedanPrince@reddit

what? why

Just had a baby. Local CDL don't pay too well. He'll be better off staying local as he's got a family starting and a blue collar job will have much more room for upward skilling up and advancement over time.

im a local cdl driver with a mortgage and my wife dont work lol it doesnt pay well for a noob, but some ppl can get by with $20/hr

Yes very true. If you're not up for the task of the skilled trades then it's an OK path. Can make much more in the blue collar skilled trades and that's not debatable. Really a CDL is quick to get and can transition into some local skilled blue collar work that needs a CDL too and you'll be making even more. Local mobile crane operator comes to mind.

Class B trash collection, prooane delivery, bobtail fuel delivery, etc search the salary in ur area. with a 9 month old i dont reccommend otr. u will be a miserable tired wife. yall need each other. So local class B work, or yard jockey but he will have to get good at backing FAST.

ExtentAggravating733@reddit

Construction takes in new guys all the time. It's dirty work with long hours, but decent pay and experience.

Actual-Ad-6146@reddit

Yard Jockey or dump trucks. He’ll get really good a whippin that wheel.

mute_salamander@reddit

Another vote for Amazon. Easy to apply and get hired, afterwards apply for “Tom Team” within Amazon (internal only, can’t apply as external), as long as the driving record is clean, shouldn’t be any issues getting in. Get a hostler experience, then get sent to CDL school, while getting paid all the way through. May not be as quick as other options, but free CDL at the end of it may be worth the wait. And besides, hostler experience will only be beneficial further down the line.

Worried_Play_8446@reddit

It’s easy AF. Have him get his learners permit from the dmv then have him contact swift or hirschbach (however you spell that) they’ll set him up with school, pay for the room to stay in, teach him to drive, help him get his license, and give him a job after it all. If he doesn’t want to stay with them it’s $6500 (or used to be). I had work in 8 weeks. I was getting paid in 5-6.

jecastro_2000@reddit

Look for a company that owns its trucks and work for them. Don't go work for a trucking distribution center. My go too are landscape companies. Concrete companies and even the ones that clean the construction bathrooms

thetruckerswallofsha@reddit

Getting a cdl “today” isn’t like 20 years ago., very few “new” cdl drivers can get hired locally and even fewer get hired at mega carriers if they bring their own cdl… That’s really the unfortunate truth on account that a new cdl driver without being company attached I/e went to a megas school., is insureable…

Dezzolve@reddit

Weird how abusive mega carriers only want drivers who are contractually/financially obligated to stay with them 😂

Yup

overpaidlazytrucker@reddit

This is the same story that's been told 20 years ago and is still not true.

A_Shipwreck_Train@reddit

There are local jobs that require a Class B that might be easier to get — trash/recycling, concrete (Ready Mix), and buses. I got my Class A thru a free program my state offers via community colleges but wasnt able to do OTR for family teasons, so now I drive ready mix and like it a lot. Pay is better than I got at my last office job (thanks to OT), and yes the hours can be weird but I’m home every night. I hope y’all find something that works for you.

chevx@reddit

Super easy barely an inconvenience. Western, Swift and Werner will hire you in a heart beat and if you guys want to do teams together that would be perfect for racking up $$ in a starter company. Just remember its initially just to get 6 to 12 months in and start looking elsewhere. I started at Western only making $700-$1100(chump change on bad weeks 3-500) After 5 months I became a trainer making anywhere from $1100-$1600. After a year I left now I make less $1100-$1500 doing alot less and not having to baby sit😅 which im currently comfortable with.

leo5oh@reddit

Has he considered healthcare as well? 12 hour shifts plus overtime, there's always the potential for growth. If he does the 3 12s, he can go to CDL school on his days off. He could probably get an EKG license online for a couple hundred bucks and just do that for a bit to get his foot in the door and go from there.

Saaaaaaaammmmmmmm@reddit

Get his CDL and then apply to construction based cdl jobs, even if it’s class B mixer truck or dump truck. Put up with it for a few months until you have enough experience for something better

llkey2@reddit

Start looking for a apprentice position in a trade. Electrician, plumber, hvac etc.

TXTruck-Teach@reddit

Try the pipefitter union or electridcal union in the Houston area. The apprenticeship programs are good. After being in the union for a while the benefits are solid. [https://www.pipefitterslocal211.com/apprenticeship.aspx](https://www.pipefitterslocal211.com/apprenticeship.aspx) [https://ibew716.net/become-an-apprentice/](https://ibew716.net/become-an-apprentice/)

SkribbyCakes33@reddit

Look up Houston City College and other JUCO/State Colleges. They will offer an affordable program tailored to be done during the day. Also there are plenty of final mile/box truck jobs (CDLB) paying better than he is probably making now that are less barrier to entry than CDLA but would train for CDLA if wanted. Here’s one: [Final Mile Houston Delivery Driver](https://www.indeed.com/q-cdl-driver-l-houston,-tx-jobs.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&aceid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=15513873562&gbraid=0AAAAADfh6_tuRzm_IApUkdvhWtytcbqH4&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2bTNBhDjARIsAK89wlHPkADLTfrF3gvERuXCuffpLxbZIBPTPkQ6jgtxSsms5FSsKONjuTIaAiHsEALw_wcB&vjk=28f012a0cdd15d5c)

Redsoxdragon@reddit

Honest answer. He shouldn't become a driver. Most drivers have to put in time as an otr driver as those are the companies that can bear the insurance burden of inexperienced drivers. Those jobs are notoriously bad with home time. As in a few days home every few weeks. And he'll have to put in a couple of years before he's got his choice of jobs. For home everyday jobs, his only real chance is going to be food delivery. He'll have 12-16 hour shifts almost everyday. He's going to be beat up and tired when he's off. He's going to make good money, but you'll understand why truckers have the highest divorce rates. Even if he were to be EXTREMELY lucky to find anything that aren't these types of jobs, the time sink on this career means he's going to miss family moments on the regular

Independent-Fun8926@reddit

Here you go, all these companies provide training with no upfront cost: Reefer/dryvan - Prime, Schneider, Werner, CFI, Millis, Swift, Knight, Wilson, Roehl, KLLM, Stevens Flatbed - TMC, Melton, Maverick, Prime, Swift, Schneider, Roehl Tanker - Prime, Schneider LTL, dock to driver programs - SAIA, ABF, Estes, XPO, R&L, FedEx Freight, Old Dominion Freight Lines, UPS Some companies have associate to driver programs. Walmart, UPS, Publix

nastyzoot@reddit

If you have a young child and are struggling financially this is not the right career. Some have suggested LTL dock to driver programs, but unless there is a large terminal or hub near you the LTL freight market is too volatile. OTR is not what you want either. It is a very long road to get to a point where you are making good money....and he will be away from home for a long time. Like 3-4 weeks out with only a few days home. He needs to look into a different trade or take a civil service exam. It doesn't take a whole lot to work in a prison or jail or even a municipal PD. Trust me. Unless you want to not be a family anymore; trucking is not right for your situation.

Adorable-Goal5926@reddit (OP)

He did try to get into our local PD before actually, but just barely couldn't pass the preliminary course (I think he failed by like 1 second). It kind of embarrassed him I think because he didn't wanna try again. But, I hear you, a different trade maybe.

He should look into companies that have dock to driver programs. Companies that offer this are XPO, Estes, Saia, ABF, and probably a bunch of other less than truckload companies. That is really his only option if he wants to be home everyday and be paid wages that justify the job.

GroundbreakingSir386@reddit

Your state National Guard PT 2 days a month will help pay for it and still keep your job while in training can do 88M motor transportation and get experience driving trucks. They’ll help pay for CDL school and it’s unlikely you would get deployed in state guard

Odd-Highway-8304@reddit

This

Josef_Kant_Deal@reddit

Old Dominion also has a dock to driver program.

LeotheLiberator@reddit

I'm a new driver with a regional job that gets me home on the weekends. Local routes with daily home time are almost nonexistent for new drivers. Others have suggested some options that might help. He can consider doing CDLB work but the pay for is generally less.

Samarchuleta516@reddit

I have documents of questions if you'd like. It helped my husband with the writen tests. We are based in arkansas so also check the states laws that you'll be testing in. I also recommend getting the driving classes done at a school not through a company. Then make sure the company is OK with you and baby going. Most companies wont allow anyone younger than 14 in the truck.

coolsellitcheap@reddit

Since you both have retail experience checkout Sherwin Williams. They have management training program. Give stock and 401k with match. Then later can work in commercial division and drive trucks for them. If under 35 could join the Army. I joined later in life. Retired ar age 49. Paycheck, plus housing, free medical and dental. 30 days paid vacation.

Usual-Guarantee6346@reddit

Imo with his current circumstance it’s probably better to look into local ibew / Iuoe apprenticeships (hvac, electrical, diesel technician, or heavy equipment operator) can make more than a driver and be home some nights if not all nights depending on what kind of hours worked if he goes the heavy equipment operator route plus the unions have some real good benefits and pension.

Dragomier@reddit

Amazon has a great program for people to go from working in the wearhouse to working in the yard as a goat and getting your CDL they pay for everything and you get paid though the whole process

Bagzthehoney@reddit

Yard jockey or dump trucks is his best option especially with a new born. May want to take a small loan out to pay for school so that way he’s not tied to a contract with a school or carrier for paying for his training and he can move freely how he needs to

Trash companies pay well

I can’t speak for Houston Texas but i graduated CDL school in Oregon and we need a lot more drivers over here I got hired as a CDL driver making $38 an hour without any prior experience at XPO they love hiring new drivers at my terminal. Likely with the market over there it’s more competitive he might have to work for JB hunt Or a maga carrier for a year before he can get a solid local job with benefits. If he’s willing i would look into joining your state national Guard PT they’ll actually help pay for CDL training and he can get experience as an 88M motor transportation which can transport that experience to the civilian world and get a great paying local job out the door. He’ll have access to a pension, Health insurance for the family and better loans, military benefits, home loans and while he’s in training they’ll pay for your housing allowance around $2500+ BAH likely since your married with a baby. I’ve seen a military wife go this route too FT national Guard for the state and get free housing for the husband and cheaper affordable child care options while working in the national guard. Explore all your options and do your research.

Your state National guard only has you working 2 days a month on the weekend normally which is perfect for local trucking jobs as they don’t operate on the weekends. He would also have his job while he is away in training.

Gullible-Syrup-6896@reddit

It's a personal decision. For me, I'd rather tough out 2-3 years away from home than raise my kids in a financially unstable household.

Kkalemauser@reddit

I’m a huge fan of the Dock to driver program several people have mentioned. I would push him towards class B garbage jobs. He may not make as much as a LTL driver for a while. Kids need two parents to be around.

1Stack_Mack@reddit

As someone posted above, the best bet with a young one at home is to look for a dock to driver program. Sometimes it's also called an apprentice position. SAIA and FedEx Freight offer those positions. There are probably a lot more that offer that opportunity, but I'm not 100% sure of the other companies and don't want to give bad info. The good part of apprentice is you're making $$ while training for a CDL, which is paid by the company. If you were to pay for the program yourself, it would be 5K at least. Happy hunting to your husband!

homucifer666@reddit

Honestly, I would reconsider just for the baby's sake. The chances of getting something local right out of school aren't good. Houston is primarily an oil and gas hub, and most of those jobs are looking for owner-operators (O/O). That leaves him more than likely taking an OTR job just to get experience. Are you prepared to be a single parent for the next year or however long it takes for him to get into a local or even regional job? Because that's what it's going to look like.

Yadilie@reddit

With a kid that young, or any at all really, I would say he should reconsider. If he finds a job where he can go Dock to Driver then I'd suggest that. Could go work for some local LTL branch on their docks. Although I'm not really sure the hours/pay structure for those guys. As a brand new driver it's going to be hard to find a good local home every day job. Generally you get stuck going into a mega doing Regional or OTR teams because that's really only the people who take a risk outside of Dock to Driver companies. He'd have to bear with that at least a year maybe six months to try finding new places.

deleted_by_reddit@reddit

[removed]

TheRake1087@reddit

I actually posted my last week paystub but the mods erased it don’t know why

Mstrchf117@reddit

He'd be able to find a job more than likely, but its not going to be ideal. Easiest is probably otr with a mega, but that will require weeks away for not great pay. Now if you think he can tough it out for a year and keep his record clean, a lot of doors open. Houston area i think would be pretty good for jobs but idk.

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