Really Need Help, Rookie Seattle Area Driver Cannot Find Work

Hey all, I'll be as brief as I can while providing the necessary context. So, I got my CDL Last year in September of 2023 and did not go to work with it (Problem #1). I started school by going to TMC's School in Iowa in July of 2023. They kicked me out for "not cutting the mustard on backing" after around 100 hours. I went to a school back home in Michigan where they allowed me to take a "Refresher Course" (80 hours) and then allowed me to test for my CDL (Problem #2). So, I have a CDL with no automatic restriction and all endorsements.

Fast forward to now, I just recently transferred my license to Washington State last month in July of 2024 after getting here in October of 2023.

The core issue here is the following: Schneider is not hiring OTR with no experience here in Washington State - I know because I applied, and they said no. None of the recruiters at Scneider though I imagine it would probably be a problem there have mentioned issue with school time/ELDT stuff.

I applied to Western Express and have not heard back after calling and emailing a few times a week. Swift is hiring here, but, because of the way I got my CDL they want me to go to the Swift Academy, sign a contract, and basically start from scratch with CDL Training.

Thier website now says the contract period for work with Swift is TWENTY SIX MONTH (26 months), which I am hoping is a typo because wow. I have had other companies that hire here say the same thing, basically: No ELDT, no job for you. Really wish I would have known this before!!!!

I can easily move to and establish residency in Texas or Michigan. I'd prefer Texas since there is no State Income Tax. All of my belongings are in storage, so, I am very mobile. I'd prefer Texas or Michigan but will go anywhere. Getting into OTR is the sole goal I have in life right now and while nothing will stop me from getting into it I'd like to see if you guys could help me with finding the fastest way to do it without messing up like I did last time.

Thank you.

Hi Lain,

Texas might be your best move as far as location. It’s a freight heavy state with lots of opportunities and, like you said, no state income tax.

The second issue is with the almost year long non-use of your CDL. And TMC told you about your lack of backing skills. So, sign on with a company that will start from scratch with you. You need the training and the practice. Don’t make the length of the contract your main consideration. Apply to as many companies as possible and then pick the one with the shortest contract if that is a concern of yours. You may get an opportunity with a company that has a shorter contract, like 1 year or maybe only 8 months. The point being that beggars can’t be choosers and right now in this freight recession, you are the beggar (metaphorically speaking, of course.) what you need is a toe hold to get you started, even if the situation is not ideal. And don’t be a gypsy. Figure out where you can land and establish a stable history, companies take all that into consideration.

Apply For Paid CDL Training

Okay cool, makes sense! I lived in Michigan for basically my entire life. Have been doing the Gypsy thing since 2022 and am 100% done with it lol. I was wondering if that too might play into account which is why I never transferred my license from Michigan until I found this job in Washington that fired me, so, that definitely sucks but here we are.

I do have a company in North Dakota that was willing to hire me until they found out I didn't have an ELDT. I found an online school JUST for ELDT, so, they are contacting safety and seeing if the online ELDT will suffice.

Schneider said they'd hire me two weeks after getting to Texas without an ELDT, so, there's that as well.

Very much appreciate your feed back!!

What is the name of the online school? They have to be approved by FMCSA which requires 160 hours of classroom and driving. So really that wouldn't work either if they don't have the means to provide driving experience, I don't believe.

Moving to Texas and getting on with a company that requires a contract to train you is really the best way to go. The time frame that you have to give will go by so fast you will wonder where it went and realize that it takes a year or more to become skilled as a driver.

Good luck!

24-26 months with Swift is correct, that way, the end of the 2nd year, you basically get trained for free....Knew a guy who went thru them years back (2018?)

There is NO shortcuts in trucking. And now with the current overload of "Qualified/Experienced" drivers not getting/finding work, due to the crappy economy of the past couple years. Glad I retired in 2022 before it went so far downhill.

Many big & small companies have went bankrupt, closed up... 1,000's of drivers lost jobs due to this, and are also having some difficulty finding work...."Maybe" after November 4th's election is done, things can be fixed....That too, will take some time to undo what the dumb azzes in power have done to the US !!

The competition is strong, and hard for drivers, with perfect records, seeking re-employment driving elsewhere. Making it harder for new people to get hired on.

The title of your post begins “Really need help,” and ends with “driver cannot find work,” yet you mentioned that Swift will hire you while putting you through their in-house CDL program… forgive me for pointing out the obvious, but if you “really need help” and want to become a truck driver, I think you should quit the shenanigans and take the job with Swift. They are an excellent company, have first-class training, well-maintained equipment, and are simply some of the best drivers I frequently encounter on the road. You could do A LOT worse.

I came to Schneider in WA state and was hired to OTR with no experience so I don’t believe that to be accurate. I’m rolling solo now, based out of WA state. There may be something else going on there but they definitely hire new drivers into OTR based out of WA. Best decision I ever made to get my career started.

I came to Schneider in WA state and was hired to OTR with no experience so I don’t believe that to be accurate. I’m rolling solo now, based out of WA state. There may be something else going on there but they definitely hire new drivers into OTR based out of WA. Best decision I ever made to get my career started.

they did mention they have issues backing, which was probably part of the decision not to hire them at schneider.

I drive for Swift, going on 2 years. I am confident in being able to say that while you must go through Swifts academy, you do not actually retest for the CDL if you already have it. So while you will spend 3 weeks doing things on the training pad, what is it that you’re losing? You’ll end up with a Mentor, that will most likely be around a month, if not less. So not even 2 months and you’re on your own. I do know of other training schools that will take longer than that, and most likely either way you’ll have to be with a trainer for a small period of time anyways.

Now, I do know that living in the Seattle area, there are several dedicated accounts Swift runs, that will pay you somewhat decent money after you learn how to be efficient and manage your time correctly. I will say I ran a dedicated account based out of California, mostly Lathrop area, that would allow you to still have hometime almost on a weekly basis with the deliveries done in Auburn and Sumner. And you’re still running and touching all west coast states. I am aware of an account running for Costco out of Sumner, that will have you home weekly, if not every other night depending on reload times as all pull out of Sumner as well. Food for thought. And I’m comfortable in saying, I grossed over 1800 on the account I ran.

And my last pointer I can give. I’m at my 2 years with Swift in 1 more month. I have no problems paying my mortgage, wife’s car payment and all bills for us and our Son. I’m happy with Swift, we live comfortably on 1 income and I have no plans on being anywhere else and I drive brand new equipment. So why is a contract an issue when ultimately wherever you end up, most major carriers that will take you, will (I assume) roughly pay you close to the same when you hit the point that you know how to be Safe, efficient, and reliable with a great attitude no matter how crappy the day may have been. It will take time for you to learn what needs to be done to make money, and that again will be regardless of whatever company you start with.