Looking For CDL Training Companies, No Work History A Problem?

My comment from earlier stands to be even more true with even more evidence. Funny stuff!

Most older people I know grew up with a far different mentality, lots more struggles and wars. I can only imagine how it must be for an elderly person who has gone through all the stuff I just mentioned to have to see how these kids nowadays are growing up.

If you can't handle a forum then I just don't know what to say to you my fellow young man.

This forum is a joke. I'm getting out of here & never coming back.

Would you like a trophey?

You basically epitomize Daniel and Patrick's point. Lack of commitment is at the crux of your problem. You indeed want this...but only if handed to you on a silver platter.

You asked for advice, you got it. Just wasn't what you wanted to hear.

So I've got this unique situation. I've been living out of the US for the past 4 years of my life to be closer to my relatives, but now I am flying back to the US, in bout a week and I want to get into the trucking industry. I'm 28 years old, no family, no girlfriend, no DUI's, no felonies, want to see the country & don't care about being home. I figure I'm perfect for the right company that would train and hire me, because all I want to do is work. I honestly, don't even care about time off or getting days off back home.

I applied to a few companies for CDL training. One company I applied with, Prime Inc., I then called to speak to a recruiter and he said they couldn't hire me because I didn't have 3 years of prior work history. What a load of bs? I thought explaining I was in another country would would make him understand, but he pretty much rejected me and told me I need to get a job somewhere for about 8 months then I can apply?

I've never heard of having to have a job, before you can actually get a job being a thing. Isn't that a catch 22?

I don't want to work at a gas station for 8 months just so I can get this trucking thing going.

Does anyone have any recruiters I can call who can work with me? Or maybe there are some recruiters who would like to get in touch with me?

(replying from the OP - have not read through the comments yet)

Its also a thing for some carriers to want you to NEED a job. They don't want to hire someone who can just quit the second they have a bad day because the job isn't important to them.

It's not written down anywhere, and I bet very few will admit it, but needing/wanting a job is a big deal to some of the carriers out there. It costs $$ to hire someone, and they don't want to be a part time hobby or experimental fling for someone. So if you work history is blank, they can assume you have the means to get by without a job.

I'm not agreeing with it, but it is what it is. That, combined with the DOT's rule of verifying all work history for a minimum of 3 years (most places want 10 years), it's a hurdle that a lot of places just don't want to deal with.

Good Luck - You'll find your spot.

I'm mostly frustrated that a company would overlook an applicant that has zero DUI's, safe driving record, no felonies, just because he has zero work history that was due to not being in the country.

Well, to be fair, most people (Over the age of 20, of course) who haven't been working as a CDL driver will have a great MVR... No DUI's, no accidents, no trucking violations, overweight tickets, etc... . That's sort of the base line. Once you get a CDL - the expectations become much, much higher.

I applied. Sorry if I came off as negative. I'm even ready to work at SWIFT or England CR just so I can pay my dues. I've read through most of the CDL manual already. I've been taking online practice tests and doing alright.

I just find this as needless red tape. My work history has nothing to do with how safely I can drive a truck.

Red Tape is the "go-to" brand of adhesive in the trucking industry - get ready for that!

I’ve been accepted into the CDL programs of swift and usXpress recently. I was given a date for usXpress for their school in Kentucky. On my application I listed my past two employers for the last 6 years. How will they verify my work history with them? Do they call and contact them when I get to Kentucky or do they want w2’s?

In addition,

...documented work history:

Dated letters from people you worked for while self-employed, customer invoices, income statements and tax returns. Anything that proves gainful employment.

Do they call and contact them when I get to Kentucky or do they want w2’s?

Likely both. It would be wise to bring your work-related paperwork with you

Oh wow. So how do guys break into the industry with no work history?

Do they call and contact them when I get to Kentucky or do they want w2’s?

Likely both. It would be wise to bring your work-related paperwork with you

Oh wow. So how do guys break into the industry with no work history?

With great difficulty - or NOT AT ALL.

FMCSA regs require 3 years of VERIFIABLE HISTORY for non-drivers (students) and TEN for drivers.

Or a damn good excuse and affidavits to back in it (disability, caring for sick relative, etc.). Self employed freelancers can get affidavits, etc.

I've been self employed for 37 years - and have corporate & personal taxes - and W-2's to back it up.

Rick

They build some history. They get a job and build some work history. Trucking requires a lot of Commitment. Some people show their commitment by doing whatever it takes to break into this career.