Starting My New Career-putting In Applications

Well, I took the plunge yesterday and sent out my application through Trucking Truth inquiring about companies that had CDL schools and were hiring out of NC. I do not have a company that I am going with yet, but I thought I would share the very beginning of the process and how it was working for me. I received an email from TT saying that my information was sent to 6 companies-TMC, Wil-Trans/ Jim Palmer, PAM, Millis Transfer, Roehl Transport and CRST. There are a couple of other companies that I am interested in so I will contact them on my own. I received calls and emails from Wil-Trans , PAM and Millis this morning. TMC sent an email asking me to fill out an application that included consent to pull driving records, drug tests, employment history and a back ground check. CRST oddly sent a brief text asking if I would interested in team driving. I replied that I was only interested in solo OTR. No reply back. I have been reading, studying and taking tests and keeping a notebook. I have made a page for each company that interests me with notes and highlights on what interests me about that company. (Honestly, I could go with any of them and be happy to be working for them. The differences are small.) On the back, I put the recruiter's name, contact info and notes about our conversations and my next steps. There are a couple of things that I felt like I needed to talk to the companies about to see if I would even be accepted into their CDL programs. I will make a seperate post about that. I am so excited about the prospect of driving that I was shaking when I called the first recruiter back. I am really going to do this! 😃🚚⛟🚛🚚

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.

Possible Application Roadblocks

I said that I would share the two things that I was concerned about in contacting companies regarding trucking school. The first is small. I have been self-employed for the last 12+ years. Companies want a solid work history and proof of that. One company asked for the last 3 years of tax records and some company invoices from this year showing my customers, products, etc. Another company asked for a couple of references that could verify that I owned my own business. Another will pull up my full employment history-no problem. The biggie for me, and for some of you out there, is that I have a felony. It was nonviolent, has nothing to do with driving and was 15 years ago. Still that is a stumbling block and one that still bothers me a great deal to talk about. But, I really want to drive and I had to get past worrying about it and move forward. I was completely up front on every written/ online application and while talking to the recruiters. I totally own what I did and do not try and blame anyone else for my choices. I think this part is crucial-own your mistakes always. The recruiters did not feel like it would be an issue especially since I have a very good driving and work record and have never done drugs or had problems with alcohol. Time will tell but it felt good to get everything out in the open and get the ball rolling.

Good luck, Stacy. I literally smiled at my desk when I read the last two lines of your first post: I am so excited about the prospect of driving that I was shaking when I called the first recruiter back. I am really going to do this!

I feel for ya. I'm in the countdown myself... I'm waiting another year before I take the plunge. You've done everything you can, owned your mistakes, and I think the notebook is a good idea. Stay positive and keep us updated! We're all pulling for you!

I feel for ya. I'm in the countdown myself... I'm waiting another year before I take the plunge.

Thank you Han Solo Cup! Love your handle by the way. I am from the South where red Solo cups are part of the good china! 😂😂😂 I am excited and everyone has been extremely nice and professional. I have a couple of months before I can take off to school myself. I wanted to get the ball rolling in case I needed to get extra paperwork together. I love driving and I am excited. I used to haul show and race horses and will probably do that again one day but I want to drive OTR for awhile first. 🐴

CRST only runs teams, so if that's not your thing, nix them.

Exciting stuff. I remember that feeling when I accepted my first job offer. Let us know who you end up with and how your school and company training goes for you.

I started CDL training 3 weeks ago. I will be in a truck to practice skills and actual driving this week. I have gotten my endorsements with exception of hazmat and passenger. So excited about getting this career going. It's amazing how much i've actually learned. I have new students asking me questions about the rig.

As someone who just got into the field myself, I highly recommend doing your research and asking your recruiters questions. If you're going through company paid training there are quite a few.

Biggest thing to keep in mind like Susan pointed out is that some companies do things a specific way. CRST only does teams, meaning you'll live in close quarters with someone full time. It has it's pro's and con's to consider. Another is if you want to stay away from an automatic restriction or if you don't care to drive a manual. I personally wanted to keep my options open. I know C.R. England only does automatic, bonus is they have a shortened training period since you don't need that extra time to learn manual. Roehl starts your pay as soon as you start class and Prime gives advances while in class. Just things to keep in mind. Best Wishes and stay safe.

Millis Transfer has a school in Eden, NC you may want to check out.... Hope this adventure is all you hope for.

Thank you guys for the encouragement. Unfortunately, things are not coming together right now where I can be gone from home for training and working OTR. I am not giving up by any means but it could be 1-2 years before I can get on the road. In the mean time, I am trying to get on locally with a trucking company in an office position and I will continue to study and learn. NC has tons of trucking companies. Packrat, Millis was one company that I talked to and they wanted to offer me a job/training when I was ready to go. I will continue to learn while I work toward my goal of getting on the road. Thankful for this forum and I will continue to enjoy reading about your journeys while I work toward mine.🙃💪