Profile For Godsgift

I failed my first road test but passed on my 2nd.

I'll be approaching the 6 month mark in March... just thought I'd start research now.

I've been doing fine w/ OTR and relationships...

Want to move to a different company since Transam was more of a starter company for me.

Current CPM is really low, so why wouldn't I move to a higher paying company?

It's not like they are going to compensate me apart from what their pay structure is, no matter how good of a job I do.

From my research thus far, I don't think the 160 hr certificate matters, as long as you have verifiable experience.

Transam

I'm approaching my 6th month of OTR... and looking to switch to a higher paying company.

Does anyone know of any OTR companies that may include as much of the following as possible:

+High CPM and miles per week/weekly minimum

+Services 48 states... (like to run coast to coast)

+Able to accumulate home time... for example, can earn 1 home day for every 6 days out w/ no cap on accrual

+No/low touch dry van or reefer

+Newer equipment w/ APU's.

+Self dispatch or no forced dispatch

Thanks for your input...

Man.. sucks....

Have you tried Western Express. They have an office in Laredo.

From what I hear, they are a "2nd chance" company... meaning they will probably be more open to hiring people most others won't even consider.

I've heard of many instances where people got fired from a company, have criminal recs, accidents, etc..., and Western Express was willing to give them a shot.

Here in Texas, doing it as you described is an auto fail. The examiners here are quite precise and specific about every part of the in-cab and air brakes test. The idea of not using chocks is an auto fail because level ground is never perfectly level. But, each state has its own way, it seems.

Yea, that's why I was so concerned. I didn't want to fail because of one stupid mistake.

I made sure to ask the inspector beforehand if I needed chocks, and he said no, and I explained everything that I was going to do before I did it...

I told him "Since I'm not using chocks, I'll be holding in my service brakes to make sure the vehicle will not roll with the spring valves pushed in, than I will wait for my air pressure to settle and proceed with my air brake tests", something along those lines...

They were really laid back about the chock and during the pretrip/incab.

It felt like I was annoying the inspector by trying to call out as many things (get as many points) as I could, when he just wanted me to name only specific main things and move on.

What caught me most off guard was having to pull up to the original starting position for all of my pull ups during the offset/straightback and not being able to stop at all during the straightback.

Is that how they do it in other states as well?

It sure didn't seem like it from the videos I've seen on youtube.

Gotcha

I wonder how the test went....

Just got back from my test.

I passed the pre-trip and in-cab, but failed my backing.

The chocks were not an issue... I was on level ground and the inspector said I didn't need to use them.

FYI: In Queens and I think all of NYC... During your off-set, you are required to pull all the way forward to your original starting position whenever you use any of your pull-ups.

And during your straightback, you are not permitted to stop the truck at anytime... otherwise they will make you pull all the way forward to starting position and charge you a pull up.

From all the videos I've seen online, it didn't seem like that was the case in other areas...

Thank you everyone for your input.

From the sounds of things, you're investing a lot in this test. If you're using Ferrari's school truck you're probably paying them about 500 to use their truck. I'll be honest with you, it sounds like you're not ready for this. A simple mistake on the brake test is an automatic fail and you're out of all that money for no reason. That's why I told you earlier, you're going about this all wrong.

I've read over all his posts and.. He seems to have some idea that a CDL is get rich quick. Well, it aint. He thinks he does not have to get along with other people. Well, you do.

I'm gonna be blunt. This is not the career for you. It takes dedication to going to company sponsored schooled or local technical college. It takes being able to handle yourself in high stress situations. It takes being open to learning something new every day. It takes being able to get along with others because you and a trainer will be together in a tight confined space (sleeper cab) for weeks.

Hah... ok.. well, guess you're entitled to your opinion.

Yeah you concern me too. You sound... rushed? It sounds like you just need some kind of income at this very moment and trucking is what the dice pointed to. Its a very stressful process. I wouldn't expect an income anytime soon and this isn't just a quick get out of debt card. Its literally a lifestyle change that takes months to get a foot off the floor and then you'll need to learn how to actually make money.

I would slow down and consider all your options because the route you want to go is actually the worst route to take. You're not going to pass your test without weeks of schooling/training and you're going to burn everything you have in savings just by renting trucks.

Go this route Paid CDL Training Programs

Yea... well... guess i'll find out soon enough!

just needed to get my CDL and start getting some type of income ASAP.

I know NYC is different - they do some crazy stuff there, but you are awfully naive to think freshly printed CDL = income. Whatever gave you that idea?

You have zero experience.

You have zero training.

You aren't even sure how to do the in cab air test.

What is it you think you have to offer?

What do I have to offer?

Just my services as a new driver I guess...

Of course I'll need training... no one is born a trucker right?

I know there's limitations in doing it this way...

But it's the route I felt made the most sense to me.

I plan on trying to start with Western Express.

I heard on this forum... (actually from you)... that they are willing to take on new CDLs without school.

Plan is to start and train with them... get some experience... and hopefully down the road I'll have more options.

What's he's saying is that you're going to have a hard time getting hired. Many companies aren't able to hire self certified CDL holders for insurance reasons. New drivers with no experience either get company training or go to a school to get a certificate along with their license that says they received 160 hours of training.

If you plan on going with Western Express, I would reach out to them and see if they would be able to hire you with a license and no certificate.

Have you considered going with paid CDL training? Roehl and Prime are 2 companies that I can think of that pay you while you train and you're guaranteed a job upon completion of your training.

From the sounds of things, you're investing a lot in this test. If you're using Ferrari's school truck you're probably paying them about 500 to use their truck. I'll be honest with you, it sounds like you're not ready for this. A simple mistake on the brake test is an automatic fail and you're out of all that money for no reason. That's why I told you earlier, you're going about this all wrong.

Well, my dmv test is tomorrow...

So, there's really no going back at this point.

I filled out a short form application with Western. On it, I noted that I had no school.

A recruiter called me the next day... and I told him that I will be testing for the CDL soon.

He said to get back in touch after I get the CDA.

I also came across several people online who got on with Western without a certificate.

So, I guess I'll find out one way or the other in the weeks to come...

just needed to get my CDL and start getting some type of income ASAP.

I know NYC is different - they do some crazy stuff there, but you are awfully naive to think freshly printed CDL = income. Whatever gave you that idea?

You have zero experience.

You have zero training.

You aren't even sure how to do the in cab air test.

What is it you think you have to offer?

What do I have to offer?

Just my services as a new driver I guess...

Of course I'll need training... no one is born a trucker right?

I know there's limitations in doing it this way...

But it's the route I felt made the most sense to me.

I plan on trying to start with Western Express.

I heard on this forum... (actually from you)... that they are willing to take on new CDLs without school.

Plan is to start and train with them... get some experience... and hopefully down the road I'll have more options.