Looking For Tanker/Flatbed Jobs For Recent CDL Grad

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum. I will be going through CDL school here shortly. Right now, I'm trying to compile a list of companies, for either tanker or flatbed, that hire recent CDL graduates. There are a few things that I am up against, for this:

1. I am 21 years of age.

2. I live in Binghamton, NY (about 30 miles from the PA border).

3. I am a recent CDL graduate, so I have no prior experience.

The school that I wish to go with is 200 hours long, so it should be vastly accepted by many companies.

I am not too concerned about home time or pay, but I would like to make a decent starting CPM rate if possible.

In all reality, I'm looking for a company that will hire me, and that I will be able to stay with for at least 1 year; in other words, I'd like a decent company.

Thanks for the views and responses; it is more than appreciated!

Welcome aboard Dylan!

Well, from what you've told us you'll find two major limitations:

1) Not many companies hire people at 21 years old

2) Very few tanker jobs are open to inexperienced drivers

But of course there are exceptions to both, fortunately.

For starters, we have an excellent listing of Truck Driving Jobs. Have a look there to see what companies hire from your area. That will help get the ball rolling.

We also having a listing of some of the trucking companies that hire inexperienced drivers. That will give you a few more ideas.

To be honest I don't have a breakdown of which companies will hire at 21 years old. So you'll have to look that up on an individual basis.

Yeah Brett is right. Being 21 will limit you quite a bit. Schneider and Prime are 2 companies that hire tanker drivers out of CDL school. Superior Carriers sometimes hires new grads, you have to call specific terminals and ask. But I'm not sure you are within hiring range of any of these companies, so call and ask. As far as flatbed there are lots of choices, TMC, Maverick, Melton, McElroy. I think they are all within hiring range for you.

You may want to speak with your CDL school staff about companies they know about who will hire 21 year olds.

Forgot to mention Roehl they have flatbed, reefer , and van.

Also a good idea would be to go to a truck stop near your home and write down the companies you see often. And speak with the drivers to see if they are happy and if the company is a good fit for you.

Welcome aboard Dylan!

Well, from what you've told us you'll find two major limitations:

1) Not many companies hire people at 21 years old

2) Very few tanker jobs are open to inexperienced drivers

But of course there are exceptions to both, fortunately.

For starters, we have an excellent listing of Truck Driving Jobs. Have a look there to see what companies hire from your area. That will help get the ball rolling.

We also having a listing of some of the trucking companies that hire inexperienced drivers. That will give you a few more ideas.

To be honest I don't have a breakdown of which companies will hire at 21 years old. So you'll have to look that up on an individual basis.

Thanks, Brett! I appreciate the advice, and will look into the links you so kindly gathered together for me. I appreciate it. Also, I have been doing a lot of the studying on the High Road CDL Training Course, along with the breakdown with the manual; it is a tremendous help, and I feel that I am learning a lot more, than just simply reading the manual. Thanks!

Forgot to mention Roehl they have flatbed, reefer , and van.

Also a good idea would be to go to a truck stop near your home and write down the companies you see often. And speak with the drivers to see if they are happy and if the company is a good fit for you.

Thanks, ThinksTooMuch. I appreciate the sound advice. I'll look into the companies that you mentioned, and will go to the nearest truck stop to see what company trucks are there! Thanks!

Welcome aboard Dylan!

Well, from what you've told us you'll find two major limitations:

1) Not many companies hire people at 21 years old

2) Very few tanker jobs are open to inexperienced drivers

But of course there are exceptions to both, fortunately.

For starters, we have an excellent listing of Truck Driving Jobs. Have a look there to see what companies hire from your area. That will help get the ball rolling.

We also having a listing of some of the trucking companies that hire inexperienced drivers. That will give you a few more ideas.

To be honest I don't have a breakdown of which companies will hire at 21 years old. So you'll have to look that up on an individual basis.

Brett,

I notice that you are from/live in NY. I live in Binghamton, NY which is a bit far from you, but not entirely too far either.

I was wondering if you have heard of the trucking company: Maines Paper and Food Service Inc? It is out of Conklin, NY. They, also, offer company-based training that you do NOT need to sign a contract for, nor do you have to seek employment via them either. I was wondering if you have heard about this program? I have been in contact with their recruiter. She said that it is 5 weeks, 200 hours (100 hours of classroom, 100 hours of truck/field). There are 4 students in the class, and all of the students (4) are in the truck at the same time. She assured me that I would receive my 100 hours worth of drive time, as would the other 3 students (in other words, I get 100 hours, student 2 gets 100 hours, thereon and so forth). My other school that I am looking at (SAGE Truck Driving School in Binghamton-Endicott, NY) seems decent, but it is only 150 hours and most companies seem to want 160 hour classes; this school has already been denied by 2 that I am thinking of.

My only concern with the Maines Truck Driving Institute is the number of students in the truck, and if I will ACTUALLY receive my 100 hours worth of driving time. So, I just thought I'd pick your brain and see if you've heard of either (most importantly, the Maines Truck Driving Institute).

Thanks, again!

I see Maines all the time around the NYC Metro area and Philly Metro area and NJ. It'll be a physically intensive job as I believe the drivers do a lot of loading/unloading. Didn't know they do their own CDL training though. Best to try and get a hold of a Maines driver and talk to them.

I see Maines all the time around the NYC Metro area and Philly Metro area and NJ. It'll be a physically intensive job as I believe the drivers do a lot of loading/unloading. Didn't know they do their own CDL training though. Best to try and get a hold of a Maines driver and talk to them.

Yeah, I didn't know that either, until my Uncle informed me. He went through their training in 1998, and drove for them for I believe almost 8 years. He said they work you a lot (both driving and loading/unloading), but the pay is really good and so is there equipment. He went there 16 years ago, so I'm sure some things have changed but he assured me it was a great school and place to work. I do not know if I will be going on with them, however, because they do not require you to sign a contract, nor seek employment through them. I'm thinking on either Melton Truck Lines, or Schneider Bulk. It's a tough call, but Melton is looking the best. I will see if I cannot track down a driver or two from them. It shouldn't be too hard. I have to go visit the school/company here soon for an interview anyway, so maybe then I will.

If you don't mind my asking, what company do you drive for, ThinksTooMuch?

Thanks!

Be safe out there!

-Dylan

Hey Dylan. I'm afraid I've never heard of that company or their program so I can't help ya there.

But I'm really surprised at what you said about Sage. Their schooling is 150 hours? They're a chain of schools that has been around for a long time and I'm really surprised their program would be 10 hours short of the 160 hour limit many companies set. Are you certain about their training period? Also, did you ask them for a list of major companies that hire their students? Ask them who hires from them and then verify it yourself from home if you're interested in that school. If major companies will hire their students then you're generally OK.

But definitely speak with several of Maines Paper drivers before going through their schooling. Make sure it sounds like what you're looking for. Jobs that require a lot of unloading like that are indeed physically intensive but generally pay very well so it could be a good job if you feel it suits you well.