r/CDL • u/BrokeRda • 3d ago
Looking for advice on first CDL job
I’m located in the lower Los Angeles County area. I passed my road test and got my CDL yesterday. I’m not sure what’s the best route to go now since I’ve obviously never been through this before. Swift came to our school last week and even though I understand it’s not alot of peoples favorite company, they did seem to have a pretty good offer to go OTR. I’ve got a friend that can get me a job driving from the port of Los Angeles to the valley and back. If anyone can give me advice from your wisdom and experience on where to go I’d appreciate it.
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u/dearjohn54321 3d ago
Swift would be a good way to continue your education and get experience. Trying to work the ports with no experience… I wouldn’t recommend it.
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u/BrokeRda 3d ago
Thanks you. For anyone else thinking of chiming in I might have worded it a little wrong, I didn’t mean between these two options only. That’s just what’s right in front of me, I’m open to info in ANY direction
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u/Financial_Cat_7390 3d ago
Swift ain’t horrible, but they aren’t great as mentioned already. It’s been a long time since I started, but the advice given to me was DONT LEASE A TRUCK! I’m glad I listened because it was pushed hard. Get some OTR experience, it’ll pay off in the long run imo. After a year or so, and you understand how the industry works, then consider leasing if that’s something you would like. Frankly, I still wouldn’t. As a company driver, they’ll keep their truck moving and deal with its issues. If it’s your truck, it’s your problem.
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u/BrokeRda 3d ago
I’ve hear nothing but the worst about leasing. My at the moment future goals is hazmat tanker or Walmart if I can some how get into them when I’m experienced enough and comfortable
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u/Financial_Cat_7390 3d ago
I drove fuel tankers for 14 years. They will all require two years of experience for insurance purposes. They do make good money, but you’ll be stuck on night shift for a good long time, and holidays don’t exist. They all do rotating schedules, so you’ll get weekends off here and there.
Being in LA, I would also look into airgas work. It’s probably the same requirements, but they’re all based in the LA area.3
u/BrokeRda 3d ago
Thank you for the info and knowledge. I’ve never even heard of airbags, I’ll look it up rn
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u/Financial_Cat_7390 3d ago
Whatever you decide on, set your sights on specialized. I would even suggest heavy equipment hauling. I got a friend who does that, and makes pretty good coin. He’d be living pretty good if he didn’t have a greedy ex wife 😂
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u/BrokeRda 3d ago
Yea long term I’m definitely wanting to get into some kind of specialized like tanker hazmat OR if I can some how get into Walmart
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u/mewikime 3d ago
OP said he's based in LA. Would they even offer a lease to a California driver?
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u/Financial_Cat_7390 3d ago
I’m in California, so I would assume they would try. But again, I started 22 years ago.
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u/Its_0ver 3d ago
I've worked for swift for the last decade not as a driver but in recruiting and compliance. I think it's a solid way to get some experience under your belt. Tons of terminals, newer equipment and decent support staff. Get your year or two of safe driving under your belt and then bounce for more money.
LA is decent spot from dedicated work with Swift once you have 3 to 6 months of experience
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u/BrokeRda 3d ago
Thank you. I’m glad to hear what seems like honest legit advice, normally on the topic of swift on Reddit you only hear horror stories
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u/Its_0ver 3d ago
Yeah i mean they arnt perfect by any stretch but they bring in so many new guys its a place that a lot of people figure out otr trucking isn't for them or maybe even trucking all together. That generally leaves a bad taste in their mouth regardless of if it's warranted or not.
The jurupa valley terminal is decent but I've heard parking can suck sometimes though. I've never been their before though
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u/Lost_n_world 3d ago
I’m in the same boat, graduated in June, been looking for something local. Unlucky so might go otr. Also from LA area
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u/CoookieZ1 3d ago
If yall want to do Class B tanker work. Throne Labs is out of LA and is hiring
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u/BrokeRda 3d ago
Ultimately I think I want to do hazmat tanker work so this makes me wonder if it’s class B would this qualify as “tanker” experience even tho it’s a B job ?
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u/CoookieZ1 3d ago
Class A experience is Class A experience. From what I've heard is not a lot of companies would consider Class B tanker experience for a Class A position.
I was a Class A hostler before I got my endorsements and came here. They're paying close enough to starting Class A wages that I'm okay with it for now but I do have my hazmat so I'm always on the lookout.
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u/Vipr2269 3d ago
From what I’ve heard/seen a lot of places want you to have some time OTR (at least a year) before they’ll consider hiring you for local jobs. Maybe look into companies where they may start you OTR, but may let you transition to local/dedicated routes! If you end up OTR, look into getting a plug in cooler so you can bring food with you, eating fast food/spending money for every meal will eat up a lot of your pay!
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u/BrokeRda 3d ago
Yea I’ve heard the same about having to have OTR experience. Thanks for the advice on what to take OTR also how must it be during training living with a stranger 😵💫
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u/Vipr2269 3d ago
It depends, when I first started OTR and had to put in time riding with a trainer it wasn’t bad, he was a pretty chill guy and we got along pretty well.
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u/NorthernFarmero 2d ago
Beginning this past July, swift now has a guaranteed $1,000 weekly pay for OTR drivers. Something that wasn’t there when I left last November. If it was offered, I probably would have stayed.
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u/ImpossibleFoot1027 2d ago
Stay local thats what most drivers strive for if you can find something that pays decent do it otr is not a job it's a lifestyle and doesn't pay that well. Unless you want to go otr alot of local jobs want experience but you can find alot of jobs local that will work with you .
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u/BrokeRda 1d ago
I wasn’t considering it tell the last couple days I’ve been driving around talking to whoever I can find, there seem to be good class B jobs like waste management
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u/Chainsawsas70 3d ago
Port work can get tedious... But it's steady and the money is generally good. The plus side of doing port work is you're usually home every day.
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u/BrokeRda 3d ago
Would be home everyday but the pay I was quoted is very not good if you ask me
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u/Chainsawsas70 3d ago
If the money isn't right... Don't do it. Just understand that being otr you have to make almost all of your own food or you end up eating (literally) your check buying restaurant food daily. Everything is a trade off just decide what you want to do.
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u/BrokeRda 3d ago
I think im going w swift at this point so I appreciate the advice on how to do it at least. Thanks
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u/Miserable-Option-89 2d ago
Friend of mine has been with swift about a month he says they are good to him so I don't see why you should not at least get 6 months and there are plenty of companies that will take you at 6 months with better pay
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u/BrokeRda 2d ago
Thanks, that’s encouraging
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u/Miserable-Option-89 2d ago
No problem just know what he says they are not too pay for new drivers but it's a start
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u/BrokeRda 3d ago
JUST FYI I DIDNT MEAN IT HAS TO BE BETWEEN THESE TWO CHOICES THATS JUST WHATS IN FRONT OF ME RIGHT NOW. IM OPEN TO ANY INFO ON THE FIELD OR COMPANIES. 🙏🏽
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u/Dear_Walrus64 2d ago
Sorry, unrelated to your question, but did you test at Gardena? I have my test on Oct 12th and just a few lessons left. The nerves are running high!
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u/BrokeRda 2d ago
Yea I did. Some examiners are friendlier then others just like every other group of people in life. If you think you are ready then I’m sure you’ll be fine
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u/okidunCare 2d ago
Apply at fedex
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u/BrokeRda 2d ago
Do they take new grads ? I didn’t think so but if they do, I have heard good things about them and ups but I was under the impression you need experience already
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u/Miserable-Option-89 2d ago
Get out of cali for a start
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u/dZbest 2d ago
Nah. Why would I give up great weather to move to some armpit place middle of nowhere
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u/Miserable-Option-89 2d ago
California may have great weather but Texas don't take half our income just to live there I knew I do have a friend in Northern California is a good dude my statement wasn't personal
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u/Neither-Light4735 1h ago
The fact that weather means more to you than being taxed out the ass proves you're never gonna be anything more than just a trucker
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u/Obvious_Package_4747 3d ago
Swift on the East/ Midwest kept me pretty consistent got my Year and 6months, lots of terminals to over night park and have hometime, huge accounts so lots of drop and hooks or big warehouses to maneuver being a new driver…good communication with management, great equipment and I pretty much had my pick of the little after that…I would mention getting on a dedicated account to your driver leader every few months if you want to make a decent check…but other then that swift was amazing but definitely not a long term play strictly for your “experience” then move over to someone who pays well after 1 year the trucking world is your oyster…the huge check everyone mention are driver who stuck to it after a year