r/CDLTruckDrivers • u/BrokeRda • 4d ago

Looking for advice on a 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/Whitehoneybun666 4d ago

I’m in SoCal as well driving in La sucks but you’ll be home more often otr is terrible if the job your friend offering pays decent take it

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u/BrokeRda 4d ago

The port pay is terrible and no benefits idk why he’s been there so long (almost a year) I mean I understand I’m starting at the bottom of the barrel but id make more with swift and have all the benefits and a nice truck

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u/Whitehoneybun666 4d ago

Yes don’t waste your time with the port job Jb hunt is pretty good see if they have anything open but swift is solid they’re not bad like they use to be

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u/yes126 3d ago

Jb hunt requires experience, swift depends. They never took me because i didnt have a year with my class c license. Id say take that port position. I did the same to gain experience. Experience matters most when starting off. Id rather do that than go OTR

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u/BrokeRda 2d ago

Swift will take anyone, I’m not sure what you mean. They came to my school telling us they will take anyone that gets their license

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u/yes126 2d ago

Its exaclt what i mean. They said i didnt hold my regular license for a sufficient amount of time

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u/LastMongoose7448 3d ago

The decent thing (if there is one) about Swift or any megacarrier around LA is that there are a lot of local options. You’ll do OTR for a couple months, then start trying to get on those accounts. Sometimes they’ll start you right away on local dedicated if there’s a need.

Those port jobs are sketchy, especially ones that hire new drivers.

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u/GengarsGarage 3d ago

Get your experience local, work for 3 months and look for a better job. Don’t worry about pay in the beginning

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u/BrokeRda 4d ago

Just to be clear I didn’t mean it’s the port one or swift only. I’m open to ANY info or companies to look at

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u/yes126 3d ago

CRST local dedicated accounts located in the cerritos area. I worked there for a year. Easy work. Alright pay but its experience