New driver in TX

Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 10-14-2009, 01:56 AM
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 12
Default New driver in TX

I am thinking about getting into trucking. I have no experence and plan to go to community college for my CDL here in Houston and have a clean driving/criminal record. What is the driving opportunities like for a new beginner from Texas? I have searched the board and read about how other new drivers from other states are having a hard time getting hired.

I will also get my HAZMAT. I know I will have to get on with some of the crappy companies to get my foot in the door.

Thanks for your help guys.
 
  #2  
Old 10-14-2009, 02:25 AM
GMAN's Avatar
Administrator
Site Admin
Board Icon
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 17,097
Default

This is a difficult time to get into this business, but there are carriers who are hiring. I think it is wise of you to go to a community college for your CDL rather than one of the CDL mills. Having the hazmat endorsement would give you additional opportunities. I would not go into this with the idea that you need to work for a "crappy companies" to get your foot in the door. How well you do with any carrier will have more to do with your attitude and willingness to learn than anything else. Many of those who complain about a carrier fail to keep the lines of communication open and follow the rules. There are some bad or incompetent people at most companies, but I think that most of them want you to succeed. It is in their best interest for you to be successful. I have met happy drivers with Swift and other carriers who have been with their carrier for many years. If you talk to others they constantly put those same carriers down. No carrier is perfect, neither are drivers. You need to make your mind up that you will do your best and stick it out for at least a year or two. Drivers who move around a lot are finding it difficult to find a decent job. In fact, some are not able to find work, period. At least in this end of the business.
 
  #3  
Old 10-14-2009, 03:25 AM
geeshock's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Hertford, NC
Posts: 970
Default

Well, being in texas is prety good. I see a lot of bussiness in TX. Not sure how things are with things being slow but if I could count on anyplace being busy, it was tx
 
__________________
  #4  
Old 10-14-2009, 10:58 AM
Board Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 468
Default

Get the HazMat and your TWIC card along with anything else you may need to get into a port along with your passport a sealed copy of your birth certificate.

I'm in Michigan, and cannot find work to save my life. Twenty years under my belt, a few million miles with a squeaky clean record and no accidents. Good luck!
 
  #5  
Old 10-16-2009, 11:02 PM
RootHB's Avatar
Rookie
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Crowley, Texas
Posts: 19
Default

I got mine at HoustonCC NE Campus/ Driver School. If you can, do the 7 week PTDI course - still cheap and definitely worth it.. Outstanding Program/ facilities. They will get you through the HAZMAT ordeal, I don't know about the TWIC, but they should by now.
Get Every Endorsement. This is the last time you'll find it Easy!

Go for it.

HCC brings recruiters in: From the cooliecarriers to OOs, graduates o the program are welcome back at any time to Testify - and they're seriously informative. I'm a Texas driver but I hired out to an out-o-state carrier with a TX terminal that sent a recruiter in... 4.5 yrs later, still with'em.
 
  #6  
Old 10-17-2009, 02:05 PM
GMAN's Avatar
Administrator
Site Admin
Board Icon
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 17,097
Default

The only thing you need to have to get a TWIC is a fairly clean background and $132.50. There is no test as with the hazmat.
 
  #7  
Old 10-26-2009, 07:54 PM
dle's Avatar
dle
dle is offline
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 981
Default

Where about in TX are you?
There are a number of CC's that offer CDL training.
 
  #8  
Old 10-26-2009, 09:23 PM
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,882
Default Dle

go to community college for my CDL here in Houston RTFP. BOL
 
  #9  
Old 10-27-2009, 03:12 AM
dle's Avatar
dle
dle is offline
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 981
Default

Personally my wife and I went to Alvin Community College.

Their program is connected with the Houston Community College. They use their trucks, instructors and facilities.
 
  #10  
Old 11-05-2009, 07:48 PM
Cluggy619's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Granbury, TX
Posts: 1,270
Default

How is your MVR for the last 5 years? If it's clean, you stand a good chance. However, if you have tickets, it's going to be very hard. Trucking companies are very picky now, and will not hire those who will increase their insurance rates.

I know. Untill the points clear off, I'm selling computers. Hopefully by then, the economy will have changed for the better....:lol::lol::lol:
 
__________________
Anyone can learn to drive a truck. Few become truck drivers.

Deja moo. It's when you feel you have heard this BS before.
'







Reply Subscribe

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT. The time now is 02:25 PM.

Top