?s I need a good driver to anser.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by bigfoot11, Aug 21, 2011.

  1. bigfoot11

    bigfoot11 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 21, 2011
    middleton mi
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    :biggrin_25521:I graduated trucking school in 3-2007 in MI.CDL A ,Got a job driving dump trucks did that till 10-2010.I have been laid off.Will a refreasher course open up more doors for me?Crst wants to hire me but i dont wanna do school ALL over again,than be stuck with a contract.(are they ok?)will more companys look at me after a refresher?Thanks
     
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  3. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    Do you have any actual tractor-trailer experience, or was it all Class B work you've been doing? If the former, and you have sufficient tractor-trailer time, you might be able to find smaller fleets willing to give you a shot. But if you're adamant about working for a major carrier, then they're going to require the refresher course.
    If you don't have tractor-trailer time, there's really not much more to say. Even if you had to pull an equipment trailer behind your dump (which would also require a Class A), any application you put in will be met with skepticism until you've taken a refresher course.
     
  4. Mdbluecrab

    Mdbluecrab <b>Crusty Crab</b>

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    White Plains, Maryland
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    Your first mistake was paying all that money to get a Class A then waste it driving a #### dump truck. You might have to do more than a refresher course as you have no experience driving a tractor and trailer. Nobody will hire you, not even an OO or small fleet owner. Now you have to spend a few thousand dollars more to get what you should have used in the first place.
     
  5. Bigarmin88

    Bigarmin88 Road Train Member

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    If you got no T/T experience well then most companies are going tell you to take a refresher program.

    Why go OTR if you got 3 years experience in B trucks?Me I would look for a local moving company or just keep driving dump trucks.
     
  6. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    He got laid off. Might be fair indication about the state of that particular job market.
     
  7. PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    Um.... Oh wait you wanted a GOOD driver to answer, I'm merely a Slightly Good driver.
     
  8. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    I'm a bad driver bigfoot, but there are very few dump truck jobs that last. Most are seasonal.

    You'll have to go back out with a trainer. Like for 6-8 weeks depending on the company and when the trainer releases you.

    I would make CRST my last choice. If you ever seen their operation in Cedar Rapids you would understand. It's like a cattle sale there.
     
  9. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    In the traditional sense of trucker one-upmanship, I'm a terrible driver.

    Dump trucks.. depends on what you do. If what you're doing is construction or supporting it, definitely seasonal. If you're able to get contracts for the Winter months hauling salt, might be a different story. Used to be able to pack up for Florida during those months, but that's gone into a slump, as well.

    I didn't say this in my first post because I assumed the OP considered it already, but I'll do it anyhow, just in case, and mention the possibilities of seeking other CDL B jobs. Roll-offs, front loader compactors, etc.
     
  10. johnday

    johnday Road Train Member

    :biggrin_2559:Who says he was driving class "B"? When I saw a CDL"A", and dump truck, first thing that came to mind was a gravel train. He certainly would have T/T experience, and not necessarily local, he's from Michigan, and there is at least a few companies that go into Ontario with trains.
    May be a bit more info from the OP?:biggrin_25525:

    To the OP, have you tried Stone Transport out of Saginaw, if these were/are trains you were driving?
     
    bigfoot11 Thanks this.
  11. bigfoot11

    bigfoot11 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 21, 2011
    middleton mi
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    Thanks for all the advice everyone.I have a class A and i drove 3 to 4 axle dump trucks requiring a class A just to clear that up. only have 40 hours in a tractor trailer.I took this job right after school,it was local and I did great there.I was laid off this past winter and i moved north.I had a falling out with the company and got unemployment.I want to head otr solo personally.Michigan works may pay for a refresher course,since i paid for full schooling the first time.I will take 1 either way.Keep hearing nothin but bad about crst,I think that will be a last resort.Ive applied to alota places.If anyone knows of a good place to start after a refresher please let me.Thanks everyone.
     
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