New Guy Getting Into Trucking

Chris welcome to TT, anywho trucking companies are not the only way into the industry, I went to my local state career source and after filling up some paperwork that was required and providing some personal info that they needed I waited 30 days and the state pay the $3900 dollars that a private CDL school cost in my state of Florida, all you have to do of course is apply yourself and acquire the actual license, than your free to choose whatever company you wish, good luck brother it sounds like your due for a brake in life, Godbless......out

Keep in mind though - even with a private or state truck driving school and a newly issued CDL-A, you will still not to get on with a company that hires inexperienced/recent grads. For many of these companies - the "contract obligation" for "finishing training", is similar to those companies where you go and also get your CDL as part of the process.

While having your license FIRST, may open up more opportunities with companies that don't train in-house (or sub it out) - not all areas have state/federal grant $$ available for CDL training, and not all schools are created equal.

So "choosing whatever company you wish" - doesn't apply to a whole lot of companies out there, that still require 1 year or more of OTR experience to apply.

Concentrate on getting that first all-important year under your belt (regardless of which route you take to get your CDL), and more choices will open up. Some of the even (supposedly) "more desirable companies" out there, are still requiring 2-3 years experience to apply.

Everyone start somewhere - and there are many success stories here on TT.

Rick

Rick, thank you for your informational feedback in regards to private schools and sponsored schools. I have thought about what I was able to do financially and what I wanted to do. Time is running on a short end of a stick, so I had to choose what was right for me. As far as I'm concerned, financially I currently cannot afford to pay upfront for a private school. I looked up all of the schools and companies on TT, and did some other researching as well for sponsored CDL Schools - where I wouldn't have to pay thousands out of pocket to obtain my A-Class CDL, which is the right fit for me. I wouldn't mind working for a company for a year or three just to get another backbone in my work history for other companies if I decided to do something different in the trucking industry. For right now, the only school I was able to get into was sponsored by PAM Transport. I know all they really haul mostly is automotive, paper, and air conditioner units. I personally wouldn't mind doing that for a year.

I have tried to apply for PRIME, Inc. like I previously stated earlier in one of my postings. Unfortunately one of their recruiters was pleasant enough to leave me a lovely text message rather than communicating with me verbally in regards to my past work history. Is this normal? Has anyone received only a text message from a recruiter there? Should I communicate with their management and figure out what I could do to help benefit myself?

As for the Maverick Transportation that was recommended to me by Flatie; I have looked at their website, it's quite informational, but when I called a recruiter there, it didn't sound like they would train you unless you had your Class A CDL? Or am I mistaken? I haven't really had much to converse with this recruiter I spoke with, so I may have to try again later on tomorrow to see what all the information I can gather.

I'm still awaiting to get my stress testing done on the 7th, and then I'll be able to get on with my screening on the 19th to pass the DOT Physical and obtain my physcial card and paperwork I'll need to obtain my CDL permit and soon as I get those, I should be all set to head for school! I'm still learning a lot through the program here on TT, and I have to say it's very effective!

Thanks again, Chris

Chris, As far as communication goes with recruiters, text is GOOD. It is in writing. I have been communicating with my Swift recruiter almost exclusively with email since last year. I've spoken to her on the phone twice. I am sure they are busy people, with a computer in front of them all day. I always get a prompt response when I email her. Plus as I stated earlier, it is in writing. Good luck!

Chris, As far as communication goes with recruiters, text is GOOD. It is in writing. I have been communicating with my Swift recruiter almost exclusively with email since last year. I've spoken to her on the phone twice. I am sure they are busy people, with a computer in front of them all day. I always get a prompt response when I email her. Plus as I stated earlier, it is in writing. Good luck!

Hey Tractor Man, thanks for letting me know that it should be a good thing than something that I shouldn't be too worried about. The only thing I got a text from the PRIME, Inc. recruiter said to me quote on quote, "you don't have enough work history in last year? and only job you had you were terminated this will disqualify you at this time". I had explained in my application I put in with my history and the reasoning behind all of it. I guess it's whatever with them, at least I still have PAM Transport as my backup plan seeing as they approved me awhile back and was understanding of my situation. All I'm trying to do is to get back on my feet and support my family. I think there's been quite a number of other people that may have experienced that besides me.

Thanks for the good luck. I'll need it, no doubt!

- Chris

Chris, Download the Driver Pulse app on your smart phone. You can apply to lots of Companies and contact recruiters directly by phone or text message. Pretty cool. My Swift recruiter sent it to me.

Chris, Download the Driver Pulse app on your smart phone. You can apply to lots of Companies and contact recruiters directly by phone or text message. Pretty cool. My Swift recruiter sent it to me.

I'll have to do that! Thanks bud.

Well, I just got off of the phone with the Maverick recruiting team. Spoke to two different recruiters and both were complaining they couldn't understand me with the phone I was talking on (iPhone 5s) - which is the first time I've had anyone complain they couldn't understand me. So I called back with my Motorola droid phone that I've had for a couple of years, and the last recruiter was able to understand me just fine. While I was on the phone with him, he stated all of the requirements to process with their orientation and stuff.

I have to say after that phone call and watching a few review videos, it sounded more like a military basic training than anything else by making people go through the DOT physical test again and a whole bunch of bogus tests to make sure you're fit for their company.

All I have to ask is why would I go through the whole DOT physical tests again when I've already paid to get into it in the first place?

So far on my list is PAM Transport which is already set in. Another company I've applied for is TMC Transport. Still waiting to hear back on my application. I'll keep y'all updated.

With the exception of maybe one or two companies, all companies want you to go through their own physical in addition to your DOT physical. The tests for flatbed aren't bogus because it is extremely strenuous work and the company has liability if someone gets hurt. They are simply making sure that you can handle the physical nature of the job.

TMC and Maverick have very structured training programs. You aren't the first to refer to them as military style. But as a flatbed driver you and you alone are responsible for properly securing and tarping that load. Can you imagine a roll of copper coming undone and rolling off your trailer down the highway? That could have devastating consequences! So it makes sense that these companies are particularly stringent in their training as there is a high danger possibility to the public and the driver.

With the exception of maybe one or two companies, all companies want you to go through their own physical in addition to your DOT physical. The tests for flatbed aren't bogus because it is extremely strenuous work and the company has liability if someone gets hurt. They are simply making sure that you can handle the physical nature of the job.

TMC and Maverick have very structured training programs. You aren't the first to refer to them as military style. But as a flatbed driver you and you alone are responsible for properly securing and tarping that load. Can you imagine a roll of copper coming undone and rolling off your trailer down the highway? That could have devastating consequences! So it makes sense that these companies are particularly stringent in their training as there is a high danger possibility to the public and the driver.

I should've clarified a bit what I was referring to. I wasn't referring to flatbed tests, that stuff I understand and don't have an issue with. It's just the fact of them going through all of the DOT physicals again, especially with the Maverick - hair samples, sleep tests, and all sorts of behind the scenes tests before you get trained for the flatbed division in their company. If you're up to date with your doctor visits and stuff and just recently getting your DOT physical test done, shouldn't they at least allow that?

I'm not trying to sound like I'm complaining about it or making myself seem like I wouldn't want to do it. Had I not gone through the DOT physical already, I wouldn't have a problem doing it. It's just the matter of fact that I'm getting short financially and I spent a good amount to get my DOT physical done already lol.

But on the other hand, to answer your theory, I would be devastated if my tarps or tiedowns fell off the trailer and caused a wreck. There's no doubt that I care about others safety as my own. I would want to be a safe driver than to be a reckless maniac in the granny lane lol.

Chris, it is actually a law that each time you start a new trucking job you have to go through the physical again. Weve all been through that same process as you, got our physicals so we could get our first CDL and then as soon as we got a job had to have another one. Fortunately the company picks up the tab on your next one.

Chris, it is actually a law that each time you start a new trucking job you have to go through the physical again. Weve all been through that same process as you, got our physicals so we could get our first CDL and then as soon as we got a job had to have another one. Fortunately the company picks up the tab on your next one.

Ok that makes sense. Thank you for clarifying that up.