My Job Search Has Started
Topic 24687 | Page 2
Rainy wrote:
What does a "military apprenticeship" entail? Most companies are going to give vets some sort of benefits. Prime has a 9 month contract instwad of 1 year for vets.
But Coffe, you said you are using the GI BIll right? so what are the companoea offering to vets?
Rainy When I talked to the Prime recruiter on Friday he told me that Prime was not enrolled in the "VA Apprenticeship program" and was working towards getting certified to offer the program. Prime is one of my top considerations to drive for I used to be stationed at Ft. Lenardwood every month I would make the Pilgrimage to the "Redneck Holy Land" (Bass Pro Shop....lol) I'd always drive past the Prime HQ and their big electronic billboard right on 44. It reminded me of driving down the Vegas strip! "Drive for Prime...… Steak and Lobster dinner $10.99" lol
Most "Veterans Apprentice programs" for trucking are not coordinated with the VA. But a company may extend a special benefit for Vets who have a copy of their DD-214. The benefit should not be a secret - that's a sales tool for recruiters!
I signed up with Swift. Vets would have a "free" tuition to the Swift Driving Academy of they drove for Swift to one year.
TMC, Schneider, Melton, US Xpress, Werner, Covenant, Maverick, Swift, USA Truck, Roehl, and CFI all have VA approved military apprenticeship programs for eligible veterans. There are other companies I’m leaving out. The benefits from these programs are paid out by the VA, not the company.
You can verify if a company is approved here: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/onthejob_apprenticeship.asp
Coffee wrote
TMC, Schneider, Melton, US Xpress, Werner, Covenant, Maverick, Swift, USA Truck, Roehl, and CFI all have VA approved military apprenticeship programs for eligible veterans. There are other companies I’m leaving out. The benefits from these programs are paid out by the VA, not the company.
You can verify if a company is approved here: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/onthejob_apprenticeship.asp
Thanks for the link I'm checking it out now.
Wolding also has a VA approved apprenticeship program. I know, I did it, lol.
LDRSHIP wrote:
Wolding also has a VA approved apprenticeship program. I know, I did it, lol.
I looked into Wolding one of the recruiter came to NTTS at the beginning of this month it peaked my interest but I am leaning towards OTR flatbed trucking.
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.
Update: I talked with TMC today but I was a NoGo because of my home locations is outside of their hiring area (The farthest north in NY they will hire from is Watertown- I live 30 miles north.) I told the recruiter to keep me in mind if TMC ever adjusts their hiring area. So I moved onto checking out Roehl talked to a recruiter but they are full up with Inexperienced / CDL graduates going through training at the moment she suggested that I get a couple months experience and re-apply as an experienced driver. So I'm looking at Melton Trucking out of Tulsa I filled out their application and one of their recruiters call me within an hour after I submitted my app. I also found some old threads here on TT and the comments were positive about the company. So Melton is on my short list - I also was contacted by a recruiter from USA Truck he recommended starting out in their dry-van division and get my over the road experience and then move into their flatbed division. I have a couple more applications out - I got a Pre-hire letter from Swift, and Werner also has contacted me I plan on reaching out to them tomorrow and see what they have to offer. Also in a strange turn - back in October I took the New York State Civil Service Exam for Motor Vehicle License Examiner and I received a letter from The DMV asking if I would be interested in a position out in Buffalo (Which is surprising because I scored 85 and I was 684 on the Order of Merit List) So I sent the letter back with a copy of my resume - I doubt anything will come of it since I figure the sate probably sent out letter to everyone on the list. Well I continue on with my job search.
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.
Over The Road:
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.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Chris hi. I’m a driver with Schneider and can highly recommend their training program however I’m VTL OTR so I don’t know much about their flatbed division With your military background you will do well in training and driving. The discipline required in military is also required in trucking, in my opinion
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.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
This topic has the following tags:
Choosing A Trucking Company Free Truck Driving School GI Bill Military Veterans In Trucking Paid CDL Training
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
It’s not so much what the companies offer veterans, but what the VA offers. If a company is approved by the VA to offer an OJT program to new drivers, then a veteran is eligible to receive a monthly housing stipend from the VA for 12 months, with some companies up to 24.
There are companies, such as US Express, who have other options if you choose not to take the housing stipend. US Express will offer an accelerated rate of pay as well as up to $7,000 in tuition reimbursement. Schneider also offers an accelerated pay rate to veterans.
I’m using the GI Bill to pay for CDL school since I’m still on active duty. If I was going to get my CDL after retirement, I would strongly consider going through one of the company sponsored programs, rather than using up my GI Bill. I want to start working and earning a check as soon as I retire, so I’m attending CDL school at night.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.