Recent Graduate in Houston, Texas

Hello all,

I appreciate your time and consideration. I would be grateful to hear any thoughts you may have about my considerations.

PERTINENT INFORMATION: I completed a community college CDL training program yesterday, and passed testing through a third-party tester. I need to go to the DPS office (...again...), and will have CDL in-hand on Monday. I plan to obtain hazmat and tanker endorsements this coming week (although the hazmat endorsement will require some time to actualize). I recently obtained a TWIC card. I have NOTHING on my driving history for the last 25 years. I have no criminal convictions, etcetera. I am not independently-wealthy, but have some resources to tide me over, if it is most reasonable to "buy some time." My ultimate goal is to obtain a position driving Monday through Friday, being home on weekends. (Although, having to be out for a couple of weeks would not be the end of the world.) I fully understand that it may take some time to get myself into a position where that is a reasonable possibility. I am prepared to "pay my dues."

I sense that pulling chemical tankers may be a good option for me, long-term. I am aware of a few companies in the Houston area that will assume responsibility for training/taking on recent graduates. However, that possibility depends on position availability. Given the time it takes for hazmat clearance, I may need to wait some weeks before even determining whether such a position would be available. I am not sure how comfortable I am waiting that long, to possibly determine that no such position was available. (My limited skills would become "rusty," and I would need to be without employment for a bit.)

I am completely open to the possibility of gaining some experience pulling something other than tankers (no flatbed, as I am a scrawny wimp). In some ways, this may even be preferred. Further, I may determine that pulling something other than tankers might be preferable. Thus, I am investigating other possibilities.

SOME QUESTIONS:

Does anyone reading this have knowledge of chemical tanker companies in the Houston area that hire recent graduates? Additional names/resources would be greatly appreciated.

Is anyone aware of respectable non-megas in the same area that take on recent graduates?

Finally, the all-too-common question...that I will pose ONE MORE TIME. If need be, and given my interests, which mega with a Houston yard would be a reasonable choice?



Thank you for taking the time to follow along, and for any insights you may have. I greatly appreciate it.

 

@Chinatown,

Thank you, very much. Although I posted for the first time a bit ago, I have been reading the forum for a while. I have read many of your posts. Your knowledge and willingness to share that knowledge are ASTOUNDING.

 

@Chinatown,

You, Sir, are my hero.

 

A bit of an update:

I officially got my CDL yesterday. Additionally, I took the tanker and hazmat tests. I went to submit my fingerprints this morning (That is a waiting game, at this point.). I have made a few phone calls, attempting to set appointments to visit some terminals/yards. I am carrying on with the research.

If anyone has additional information/leads, I would be ever so grateful to hear/read them.

Thank you, again, all.