Advice Needed For New Rookie Getting First Job

Ahhhhhh. Recruiter Scott swoops in!

When did ConWay become the only company around Houston with a drop yard? Other companies have opportunities? Other companies go in and out of Canada?

Why do you ambush nearly every single new perspective driver on here?

How is your new secret dedicated account going? Have any problems recently?

This is not a recruiting site for any company.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I’m not gonna hate but dang Scott you do come on kinda strong with good ol CFI 😂🤣

Is it that obvious?

Exhausting,... isn’t it? I’ve dropped many a subtle hint to BS that he either ignores or deflects.

Thanks PackRat. I agree 100%.

Carry on.

Ahhhhhh. Recruiter Scott swoops in!

When did ConWay become the only company around Houston with a drop yard? Other companies have opportunities? Other companies go in and out of Canada?

Why do you ambush nearly every single new perspective driver on here?

How is your new secret dedicated account going? Have any problems recently?

This is not a recruiting site for any company.

Exactly my point too, G-Town.

He's on here to recruit. Seldom on here except for a person possibly getting the urge to get into this industry.

All of a sudden, here comes Scott in the red CFI KW sliding in with dust and smoke flying! He jumps in with both feet, then WATCH OUT! Here comes the CFI Recruiting Grenade. If the prospect bites or disappears, no matter. He's sure to return again with another sales pitch for the next prospect. Truly a valuable contribution here for the benefit of all? I think not.

I'm still waiting for a reply from him on a statement he made months ago to a driver that had a truck that was pulling to the right. Big Scott's response was that is a safety feature. Seriously? I inquired to him specifically on where he learned that crap. No response, naturally.

I don't ever do this, but if anybody wants a slightly different, not all unicorns and roses viewpoint, check out the driving diary I wrote daily when I was there at CFI as a company driver. The first time I was there I was leased on with my own truck, running under their authority. I've seen both sides of the CFI business model. I don't drive there anymore.

Many drivers like their company, just as many drivers dislike the company they pull for. All companies are great, and all companies are awful depending on the source. One thing is for certain: this is not a recruiting site for any single company.

PackRat wrote:

I'm still waiting for a reply from him on a statement he made months ago to a driver that had a truck that was pulling to the right. Big Scott's response was that is a safety feature. Seriously? I inquired to him specifically on where he learned that crap. No response, naturally.

OMG... scary.

No different then when I went gonzo-ape**** on him when he advised a rookie to use the Johnson bar for conventional downhill braking purposes. I too am waiting for a reply; at least 3 years later.

I digress...

Not recruiting but I find it hard to believe CRST said no? hmmmm They pretty much take anyone with a heartbeat... In under 6 months they will even pimp ya to becoming a trainer. Only thing new I heard, from my mentor there, is now they do hair follicle testing,, HA bout time ! lol And they do have a terminal in the Dallas area, closer to Hutchins TX. As well as 1 in OKC....

And they switched over to tablets rather than Qualcom.....Am using QC here at my new job, they just had system upgraded to the newest, n greatest, whatevers, rather than switch....

Hmm, Swift is pretty upfront about their pay, Im not disputing it, but when I applied to them they told me right off the bat, at the time it was .46 cpm solo dry van. All the major carriers have a presence in Houston. Im wondering if you had stipulations when you were speaking with the recruiters. Im not saying that you did, but I have witnessed people come in with outrageous demands, which of course get denied and then claim they cant get hired.

Knight, Swift, JB, Schneider, Rhoel, Raider Express, US Express, Western, CFI, etc etc all to the best of my knowledge hire recent grads from the Houston area. I also find it odd that they wouldnt hire someone who is graduating from a 160 hour trucking school. You will have to go through training with whichever company you go with, but (And Im not trying to pull a recruiting move here) my company certainly takes on recent, the key word being recent grads from schools.

In addition, there is a variety of different types of work to find there. The ports come to mind immediately, a lot of our guys chose to go intermodal so they could be home more, although their training is still OTR. Wondering if you perhaps were not wanting to do OTR and if you understood that you would have successfully complete training at which ever company you go with?

It is pretty standard for most companies to offer and pay you back at 200-250 a month until it is paid off or until you leave. The only thing is that it is taxed.

My only concern with Schneider is that their training program that has you going out with a trainer isn’t very long. You may not think you need It but I assure you. Ya do. But if Schneider is the only one that bites then that’s what ya gotta do.

If you are interested in flatbed I think mcelroy trains and runs in that area.

Cfi as mentioned before trains, and I think prime should also hire in that area.

What type of driving do you want to do?

Thanks Papa Pig

My original plan was to get a cab and run ocean container port dray out of Houston.

I totally agree on lack of training, but it looks like the fastest way to my goal is going to be through Schneider.

I suppose there is an added benefit in going with Schneider in that they have ocean drayage contracts for that already in place.

https://schneiderowneroperators.com/lease-opportunities/details/213145

And they also cover the training for that lease.

It is pretty standard for most companies to offer and pay you back at 200-250 a month until it is paid off or until you leave. The only thing is that it is taxed.

My only concern with Schneider is that their training program that has you going out with a trainer isn’t very long. You may not think you need It but I assure you. Ya do. But if Schneider is the only one that bites then that’s what ya gotta do.

If you are interested in flatbed I think mcelroy trains and runs in that area.

Cfi as mentioned before trains, and I think prime should also hire in that area.

What type of driving do you want to do?

Thanks Papa Pig

My original plan was to get a cab and run ocean container port dray out of Houston.

I totally agree on lack of training, but it looks like the fastest way to my goal is going to be through Schneider.

I suppose there is an added benefit in going with Schneider in that they have ocean drayage contracts for that already in place.

https://schneiderowneroperators.com/lease-opportunities/details/213145

And they also cover the training for that lease.

Dave;

I'll let the seasoned vets talk you out of the lease/fleece; but in the 'mean time...' have you checked out:

Multi Modal??

All the ports & drayage you want!

Best to ya; Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!

~ Anne ~

Anne hinting at the truth...

I'll let the seasoned vets talk you out of the lease/fleece

Dave, truth is we do not recommend L/O or O/O for a variety of reasons. The least of which is you have no experience. Like I wrote in my initial post learn how to be a top performer (1 year OTR more) as a company driver and you will put at least as much money in your pocket as an O/O with far less headaches and financial drain.

Here is one of several articles confirming my points:

Confessions of an Owner Operator

Not sure yet if you want truthful advice or shallow affirmation.

Dave, I started with Schneider, dry van and stayed with them two years before moving to a Southeast Regional company. Many companies seem to have great operations at one location, but might be lacking at another.

The short duration of Schneider’s Orientation was perfect for me. It’s not for everyone and probably not a good idea for tanker if you have zero experience.

You have companies (such as John Fayard) based in Mississippi or McElroy (based in Alabama), Stevens Transport (Refrigerated out of Dallas) which might be an option. My point is; there are so many companies , don’t give up.

As for private school, that’s what I did. I’d be very surprised your school has NO recruiters coming in. Mine had plenty. Push the people there to get you connected. You’re paying them.

If you end up driving for Schneider, it’s a pretty good company.

You may check the Indeed website to find out which companies in your area are hiring rookies.