Let me introduce myself. My name is Dave (if you couldn't tell) and I am 26 years old. I just got my CDL-B license from a school here in CT. I have been applying like crazy to jobs everywhere and I am not getting any luck. They all want 1 year experience. I don't understand how you are supposed to get experience if NOBODY will hire you. I have a clean record and decent work history. Anybody have any suggestions on companies that might hire me with no experience?? I am willing to work any job whatsoever in order to get this experience.
I am thinking that this has to do with the insurance companies and not the companies. My thinking is they want 1 year experience otherwise the rates are outrageous and I can't blame the companies for having to abide by this. It's just discouraging and I am thinking about seriously just lying that I have one year experience driving a box truck (non cdl). Any help at all is greatly appreciated!
Let me add here that I was talking to one of the guys at my school that got his A license. He told me that he applied for a straight truck job and they told him he needed 3 years experience!! I mean honestly it's a joke. The guy's got his A license. I understand that there is a lot to learn in driving a straight truck and you will run into situations that you didn't run into in the short time behind the wheel through the school but come on. It seriously takes 5 days out on the road by yourself to really feel comfortable.
What's the deal with experience????
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by davect, Jan 1, 2010.
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A few years ago you'd have a lot better luck . The problem is now there are too many experienced drivers out of work competing for jobs . Have you checked with moving companies ? It's their slow season but you might find something . Do you have hazmat ? That would help with an expediting job or getting a job delivering fuel oil or propane . Check with towing companies also .
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First let me ask you something.... If you needed major surgery would you want someone right out of school or someone who has competed an internship under an experienced surgeon?
I see a lot of newbies who are of the same mindset...
"I have been to school, paid my $5,000 and got my license so why won't a company trust me the 80,000lbs of equipment and freight worth thousands and thousands of dollars."
There are a lot of companies out there, from small to big, there is an abundance of driver turnover, so, job become available everyday. If you want a job, it won't come to you, and you can simply apply online and make calls or, if you really want to drive, go out, find the job opening and get a job.
However, I found, that the easiest part of trucking was completing school and getting a job, so if it seems difficult and stressful, wait, because there is a lot more to deal With. -
I know how you feel. Before I left my last job I looked in the newspaper to see who was hiring and for what. Talked it over with my wife and decided to get my class A. after getting my class A, I said to my self, TIME TO WORK. Applied all over with no luck getting a job. Post after post in the paper for drivers but no one would take me on. Ok bad choice on my part for deciding to be a truck driver. I went down the local truck stop, bought a few driver coffee and chatted. Found out I need to apply with the bottom feeders. Get some miles and time in and dont think about pay. Ok did that. Got pick up 3 days after send out my rez. Went to work, loved it, and was having fun then the lies started. What I agreed on changed to a new company policy. Ok if I must do. Than lie #2, ok if I must do, lie 3 & 4 came at the same time. I went in to talk about it. They said do it or leave and we will not pay to send you home. Bad timing to say that to me. My dad was in the hospital. Ok I quit. More droma after saying that but I just grabbed my bags and went to the air port and came home. Got my dad back on his feet and got picked to deliver medical supplies around Colorado and Wyoming. Not a lot of work or pay but a job was a job. Recession hit, lost job. Now back looking and maybe have a new job. Keep looking and trying. Someone will pick you up and let you drive.
davect Thanks this. -
Your mistake was going to a school and leaving with only a B license. This tells most companies you either didn't cut the mustard or you went to become a bus driver and didn't get hired. Most students who go to a school to get an A and can't progress at the same rate as the rest of the class are often offered a chance to get a B as a fall back.
My next point is with Stop and Shop closing in North Haven, Yellow having their problems, and Bozzuto's starting to loose some of its new business, there are still alot of experienced drivers on the market in Ct for a job. All the local jobs are buttoned up by people who know each other and when a spot opens up they suggest someone they know.
You just have to keep looking in the New Haven Register and call as jobs open up. Hopefully you get lucky. That school should have had a job lined up for you.
I hope you find a job, but I wouldn't hold your breath for a good job with just a B.
Try
Whole Foods in Cheshire (I think its all A not sure though)
City Line in West Haven (They are an all B fleet) Pay stinks though!
G+G in Wallingford (not sure how many trucks they have or if hiring)
Eastern Paper and Bag in Milford (good company to work for, opp to get "A" with em.
Town Fair Tire East Haven? (may have B trucks)
In Wallingford off of I91 Exit 15 go West on 68. before you get to Barnes Industrial Road if you look to your left there is a food distribtor with a green sign. They have Box trucks with opp to get into a Tractor Trailer. I forget their name though.
You can take shots at businesses along that same exit. if you go east and turn left onto research parkway there are a ton of business there you could walk up to and ask if they are hiring.
Those are just some ideas I would pursue if I was in a bind.davect Thanks this. -
So you think somebody should give you a $100,000 tractor, $50,000 trailer and mabe a $1,000,000 load just because you think you're ready huh? Waaaaa!!!
Insurance companies have been paying way too much for newbies mistakes the last few years, which translates to higher rates for ev erybody.
You get experience by working your way up from the crappy stuff. That's how the grownup world works. Save your post somewheres and look at it again in a few years and see how whiney it sounds. -
Wiseguywireless, davect and HardlyWorkingNeverHome Thank this.
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Come to think of it I just watched a NEMF Driver run into a trailer and tear it up pretty good. When I asked him how NEMF Hired him with zero experience he said they put him though the school. You might want to look them up. They also have a terminal in the Wallingford area.
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Major surgery is a little different then driving a straight truck. I can see the class A work. There is a lot more to it driving a tractor trailer and you are hauling 80,000 lbs. Whole different ball game. But I can't see how you can compare driving a straight truck to major surgery. The thing is you don't even get a chance. I have my license. I passed the test. As far as I'm concerned it's not abiding by EOE standards. Give me a chance. Give me a road test. If you feel I am not good enough that don't hire me. But my resume gets thrown in the trash once they see I am green. It's ridiculous.Last edited by a moderator: Jan 1, 2010
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