Best way to get started with no CDL Exp?

[Megalon]

Hi, all scouring the site for info but in case I can't find specific answer want to post this to possibly get a better answer.

I really want to get into expedited shipping and having own authority to make my own schedule(later down the road, of course) as I'd prefer to stay east coast & Canada wherever possible.

I have been looking into CDL sponsored schools for big rig OTR companies but more interested in expedited shipping and not sure where to start.

Would it be better for me to do 6-12mths OTR in a big rig first or can I start out doing expedited right away?

Also, Do I have to purchase my own truck to get started or can I use a carrier truck until I can afford my own(I could not afford a sprinter atm and my credit is only in 600's so can't get a loan).

I live in Michigan if that makes any difference, I know a few OTR companies I called didn't operate in my area, hopefully expedited is better in this area.

Hopefully not upsetting anybody, I am searching the forum & FAQ for answers as well and I am sure you get tired of the newbie questions all the time.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jamom123]

Hi Megalon, no one here gets tired of newbie questions, we were all newbies at one point. From what I know a lot of expediters and people on this forum live in michigan. I would suggest checking the classifieds for owners looking for drivers.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Hi, all scouring the site for info but in case I can't find specific answer want to post this to possibly get a better answer.

I really want to get into expedited shipping and having own authority to make my own schedule(later down the road, of course) as I'd prefer to stay east coast & Canada wherever possible.

I have been looking into CDL sponsored schools for big rig OTR companies but more interested in expedited shipping and not sure where to start.

Would it be better for me to do 6-12mths OTR in a big rig first or can I start out doing expedited right away? If you are considering getting your own authority what size vehicle are you wanting to use? If in a straight truck it might be better to jump into expediting and start getting an education.

Also, Do I have to purchase my own truck to get started or can I use a carrier truck until I can afford my own(I could not afford a sprinter atm and my credit is only in 600's so can't get a loan. It sounds like you need to drive for a owner and see if this is the business for you. I would also suggest you work on getting your credit rating up especially if you are wanting to get your own authority.

I live in Michigan if that makes any difference, I know a few OTR companies I called didn't operate in my area, hopefully expedited is better in this area.

Expediting freight has freight everywhere check with the different companies and ask where their freight lanes are.

Hopefully not upsetting anybody, I am searching the forum & FAQ for answers as well and I am sure you get tired of the newbie questions all the time.

Thanks in advance!

​Good Luck on your search and keep asking questions

 

[Megalon]

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I would like to get a straight truck or sprinter eventually. I have been working on my credit for past year, I am around 620-630 atm but want to wait until I get into the 720 range for best rates.

I did work in the oilfields in ND for a while so we'd normally work 15-24+hrs straight and then drive 2hrs back to the shop, also drove 20hrs straight multiple times between MI and ND on my breaks, so I am sure I can handle it.

I will call some listings on the job board and see what I can find out and if I can start without a CDL.

Any company suggestions would great too as I notice many that need 12-24mth experience and not sure which ones will help newbies get their foot in the door.

 

[TruckingSurv]

I would work on the CDL if you can, you are going to be in a van/sprinter territory without it AND even some of those require it, nothing wrong with being in the non CDL arena if that is where you want to run, but since you mentioned straight trucks at least eventually that will pretty much require a CDL, not too many straight trucks running without a CDL. Fairly easy to get a B class CDL, some study and a few hundred bucks for testing, I took my driving test in an ex school bus from a driving school, all the head knowledge on my own time and just going into the local DMV and taking the tests.

TS

 

[Megalon]

Okay thanks, well seeing as I'll need cdl regardless and some experience, I think i'm going to start with OTR big rigs for 3-6mths and hopefully that'll make me more attractive to these companies.

Also for any people who have do done both 18 wheeler and expediting, is the pay more stable with expediting? I have heard of many drivers making little to no money out there and basically starving at some truck stop. Obviously it won't be 100% stable but hopefully better than some horror stories i've heard about some of these big rig company drivers. I'm willing to put up with some crap to cut my teeth into the business, but I don't to be out there too long not making any decent money.

 

[cheri1122]

Megalon: I've done both OTR in a semi, and expediting in cargo van & straight truck [what I drive now & forever, lol]. The pay is more stable in the OTR segment, because you're an employee. Big trucking carriers want to keep their trucks rolling as close to 24/7 as possible, so you don't lack for work. [Sometimes for clean laundry, but they do get you home every other weekend, at least long enough to wash clothes, haha.]
OTOH, expediting is more 'iffy' - if you think of it as the taxi of the freight industry, that helps. We don't know if someone will need our services in the area where we deliver, even if it's a traditionally good area - but learning those areas and sticking to them is a good policy when you're beginning.
The smaller your vehicle, the less capacity you offer, and therefore, the less money you can make. Whether it's 'enough' is something only you can decide - but keep in mind, cargo vans & Sprinters are very easy to obtain, so there's a LOT of them. Bigger vehicles that require knowing & following the DOT/FMCSA regs are more work, and therefore pay better. Everything's a tradeoff: you get this, you lose that. Only you know which works for you.
If you're "willing to put up with some crap" to get into the business, I'd suggest going the big truck route. You'll def get the crap, lol, but you'll also get the experience and knowledge that make you more attractive to a carrier, [and a fleet owner, should you wish to drive without owning the truck, as I do.]
The more you can offer, the better you'll like payday. Funny how that works, lol.

 

[walsh16]

Hi Megalon, no one here gets tired of newbie questions, we were all newbies at one point. From what I know a lot of expediters and people on this forum live in michigan. I would suggest checking the classifieds for owners looking for drivers.

Hi James just saw this and saw that you work with FedEx CC. I have a CDL B, and am not working in any driving position currently. I worked for FedEx Express for one year in 2004-5. Looking to get into this for 2 years tops, to save the money to start a particular business (not trucking related)..

Which company do you feel is the best to work for, and would provide me the way to save apprx 50k the quickest (hopefully by 2 years)...Do you think I might be able to save quicker driving alone or as a team? I want to be based in S Florida.

I am ready and willing to leave my current job to do this, as I am not able to save a penny here, and am just a mouse on a wheel.

 

[Daffyduck528]

Hi James just saw this and saw that you work with FedEx CC. I have a CDL B, and am not working in any driving position currently. I worked for FedEx Express for one year in 2004-5. Looking to get into this for 2 years tops, to save the money to start a particular business (not trucking related)..

Which company do you feel is the best to work for, and would provide me the way to save apprx 50k the quickest (hopefully by 2 years)...Do you think I might be able to save quicker driving alone or as a team? I want to be based in S Florida.

I am ready and willing to leave my current job to do this, as I am not able to save a penny here, and am just a mouse on a wheel.

Is this for real question?

 

[Turtle]

Is this for real question?

I think it is. A lot of people think expediting is an easy way to make lots of easy money. Even back in 2004-2005 it still kinda was, especially at FedEx. But not now. Today, being an expediter in South Florida is the exact opposite of making and saving money.

 

[mrgoodtude]

Get your class A, will take you at least 6mos before you are employable with a good co.. Fact of life
While you are busting your onions for .28 a mile look at the pay and opportunities for Fracturing sites vs owner op in Expedite. You will make more in Frac till the Guvment figures mother earth is tired of man's crap and shuts it down. Expedite is more laid back but the industry has seen two trends since my wife and I started. Tractors and Teams... Everyone has come for a piece of our pie.
Position yourself with a pie knife, you will be fine.

 

[walsh16]

I think it is. A lot of people think expediting is an easy way to make lots of easy money. Even back in 2004-2005 it still kinda was, especially at FedEx. But not now. Today, being an expediter in South Florida is the exact opposite of making and saving money.

Thank you Turtle for your respectful and helpful response. Apparently that other person forgot that this is a NEWBIE post, for questions from people like me who have no experience in this industry and have no clue what is happening in it. Not sure why this person forgot that.

I shouldn't have to deal with judgmental people making newbies feel stupid, when there is no way in the world that I could possibly know what is going on in an industry I've never worked in. HENCE THE QUESTION. Time for this person to open up his mind, and begin to look at the world from another person's eyes. There is absolutely no way I could possibly know what is going on in another industry, unless I ask questions. I will continue to dig deep, do my research and ask questions so that I can learn

 

[walsh16]

opportunities for Fracturing sites vs owner op in Expedite..

sites such as? I appreciate the info, as I am a newbie, and know nothing about this

 

[TeamCaffee]

Walsh16 consider this site like a room of a lot of people with a lot of personalities and agendas.

Every personality imaginable is on this website along with a lot of good information. As you read the many posts you will quickly see who is helpful, who is negative no matter the question, and those that just want post count, or those that only like to have fun and make great jokes. Take the good with the bad and disregard those that you consider not helpful.

Ask your questions but do not expect a reply if you want someone else to do all of the work and research for you.

You asked about saving 50k and that is almost an impossible question to answer as we have no clue of your expenses. If you want to save 50k and you have NO bills, no home, no cars, and you eat very little, and you get drive for an owner in a T/T that is a reefer as a one household team they you will have no problem saving 50k. The key is don't spend any money and put everything you make away.

If you will read back you will quickly find that Florida is not the best place for freight for anyone including teams. Reading back you will see that to make the most of opportunities in Expediting a one household team has the best opportunities in a Tractor Trailer not a van.

You will also find when reading that each company is different as are all of the drivers and we all have our own needs. As such one company does not work for everyone so while I believe we are leased to the best company for us it might be the worst company for you.

I would suggest that you read back on the forums and then come back and ask questions where it is possible to answer them. You have to ask the questions and then take from the replies what will work for you or what will not. Remember you will be the captain of your own ship... truck I mean

 

[Turtle]

Thank you Turtle for your respectful and helpful response. Apparently that other person forgot that this is a NEWBIE post, for questions from people like me who have no experience in this industry and have no clue what is happening in it. Not sure why this person forgot that.

He probably got confused and forgot about it when you said you have a CDL B and used to work for FedEx Express.

I shouldn't have to deal with judgmental people making newbies feel stupid, when there is no way in the world that I could possibly know what is going on in an industry I've never worked in. HENCE THE QUESTION.

You get what you pay for in here. What you should and should not have to deal with is irrelevant. I shouldn't have to deal with the dragging of feet and incompetence of a senior claims adjuster on an occupational accident, yet here I am 7 weeks into it without a dime of weekly disability benefits. If any of the above responses made you feel stupid or offended you in any way, then I can guarantee you that you do not have the temperament to be an expediter, because much like wild animals that sense fear, shipping and receiving clerks sense ignorance and inexperience and will attack it with ferociousness. Just for fun.

Time for this person to open up his mind, and begin to look at the world from another person's eyes. There is absolutely no way I could possibly know what is going on in another industry, unless I ask questions. I will continue to dig deep, do my research and ask questions so that I can learn

Soooo, are you going to continue to research and ask questions so that you can learn, or do you think your quest for knowledge is best served by concentrating on bіtching about the manner in which your questions are answered?

I'm just askin'...

The fact is, for all intents and purposes, there is virtually no expedited freight in Florida, and the farther south you go the more real the virtual becomes. Your goal of $50,000 saved in two years is attainable, but not as a solo, and only if you are willing to go where the freight goes and are prepared to leave Florida for 3-6 months at a time. You may only get one or two loads a year going to Florida, and if you want to go home for a week or two, that's the only times you should do it. On the other hand, I know people who have been in this business for 10 years and have never been in Florida.

 

[walsh16]

I did not expect anyone to do research for me TeamC, that would be stupid. I asked the question. It was not about you telling me about how to save 50k, but the fastest way based upon the knowledge you would have about pay, location etc. In other words, your side of it, not my side (bills etc)

Pardon me for not spending 5 hours searching thousands of posts. Posting a question is much faster and easier for the newbie.

 

[walsh16]

Thank you, I appreciate the info Turtle. that is why I came here.

 

[walsh16]

Might I just make a suggestion here. In the future, go easy on the newbies. We humble ourselves to come in here asking for YOUR knowledge to help us make decisions. I know plenty of people that are so full of themselves that they never ask advice of others.

Be kind, and try to be patient with the ignorant questions of people who have zero experience or knowledge that you might have. And do NOT assume that the person is stupid, but realize that they have worked in another field for many years, and that you would probably know little about their industry as well.

Also please realize that it is much easier and quicker for the newbie to post a question here.

 

[Turtle]

Pardon me for not spending 5 hours searching thousands of posts. Posting a question is much faster and easier for the newbie.

You're welcome.

But, 5 hours? Really? Once you get to 50 or a 100, you'll know better what kind of questions to ask. When you get into this business you aren't just driving for somebody, you're an independent contractor operating your own business. Your research should match the gravity of that. Such hesitation to invest a whole 5 hours in industry research does not bode well for the success, even short term, of your business endeavor. Even if you drive for a fleet owner and don't have the investment expense of buying a truck, the minute you don't take this business seriously is precisely when it will expensively eat you alive.

 

[TeamCaffee]

You walsh16 are the one that is assuming we think you are stupid. For all I know you have a masters degree and are a practicing veterinarian. I believe you and every other newbee are probably very smart and do not have a lot of time. You are wanting to make a life changing decision you have to do some research to ask the right questions. Most of us have been in your position to ask these same questions in years past. Many people that become expediters are from another area of work and do not have any idea how trucking works or how they might fit in trucking.

You have to do the hard work in order to see if this business is for you and part of the hard work is research and asking question. Even reading for 5 hours is not enough time to get a grasp of what you are wanting to do that will fit your situation.

The more you read and the more questions you ask the better your chance of knowing if you can reach your goal of 50K.

It took me months of research and asking questions before we made the decision to leave our secure jobs and do this. I often spent 5 hours a day reading and trying to absorb what I read and see how it would affect our future.