What do trucking companies have against the military?

Go to the Oilfields; your Military and Service to your country will be invaluable. Try Halliburton look for the Cement Operator Assistant One positions. All the hours you can stand...

 

Same here when I started. I drove HETs for awhile doing serious oversize and also have some experience driving M914s and M915s. Both of those were old KW T600s and Freightliner FLDs. I had down flatbeds, drop decks, and low boys. Was told by all the training companies when I got out that none of it counted as experience. The problem was that even though I knew how to drive large vehicles and combinations forward and backwards, driving comercially requires things that the military does not experience. You have to be able to back to docks in crowded warehouses in all kinds of conditions, you have to be able to take c r a p from shippers/receivers and lumper services (while maintaining your composure and smile for customer service of course), and you have to be able to time manage by yourself with no assistance. I did all of the military loads in combat conditions but I never once was completely solo or had to plot my own route anywhere. I never had to deal with any customers. Finally, I never had to adjust loads for weight or run a log book. All of these are skills that you learn between CDL school and a company trainer. I know it sucks but you just have to deal with it.

 

SOS staffing is the staffing company for Schumbger (oil field). They hire a lot of military people.

 

The information that these guys are giving you is correct, the oil fields will honor your experience, I would lean toward the Haliburtons or Schlumbergers of the business. I read just this last week of a company advertising a driving job on Craigslist, and the ad specifically said that your military experience would count. Hang in there and keep looking, most of the recruiters are politically correct yes men at best, don't let that bother you. Check the craigslist listings daily for every town around where you want to work, use google also. If I can find that ad again I will repost it here for you, just don't let the recruiting bafoonery get you down, hang in there, you can find something if you are diligent, when the CSA BS came out the whole industry went politically correct over night, some of the things that they are expecting, and some of the things that they are requiring is downright comical sometimes, don't let that change your focus on a good job, and don't settle for just "A" job, look for a "GOOD" job, it just takes a little longer in this economy.

 

I believe it comes from the old days when military drivers did not do much driving that compared with the trucks of the OTR group. Driving a 2½ or 5 ton just did not match up. Plus the fact that most of the driving was done on base. But nowadays with overseas convoys and such there's not that much different and most of the experience should be counted. But how would the companies know what type of equipment you drove and where? You can tell them you drove a M1120 or a M911 and most wouldn't have a clue on what you are saying. They can not verify it so they just do not count it. Until there's a clear comparison you'll always find this problem.

However, you'll find some compaines that want you because of your experience in the military and not what you drove. They like the driver that can take orders and not question every little item that comes along. I'm not saying that all military people do this and I'm not saying a non-vet will not do the job without question. We're just speaking of generalities and not policy. But I believe being a vet is a plus no matter what you did as long as you came through it successful. I do not believe it should be counted as an automatic pass and treated as a priviledge over others. There's still the part where you have to prove yourself.

I think as you look at more companies you'll find it goes both ways. I had a hard time proving my experience and my experience was actually OTR. I had a second job as a casual when the Navy thought it would be a good idea to go to a 10 hour 4 day work week. Every Friday-Sunday I was in a semi going through 7 southern states for 4 years just like anybody else. Then I was stationed at a base where as a Equipment Operator in the Seabees I had to move specialized construction equipment all over the states. So I had real experience before I even got out. Or I should say I had comparable experience.

Your best bet is to explain what you did to the hiring people and keep it to yourself. Be humble and modest and let your past work for you. You'll find more just like you and you'll see it's a very common problem that can be worked for your advantage. That's simply from life experience.

 

I hear you Brother... I drove M915's in Germany way back in the 80's... the original M915's. They replaced out fleet of International 2000D and 4070A Transtars. We did what would be considered regional running. i pulled vans, flatbeds, S&P, Reffers what ever was needed. We were dispatched out as solo drivers, the only three instances we would convoy was a Nuclear Movement (I was in one of only two units that hauled nukes.in Europe), a run to Berlin (This was before the reunification), and going to the field....other than that we just went where sent. We would be out anywhere from just the day to a week. And yes I hit docks there and you should give a try backing into the woods under tree cover... yes the trailers were only 40' but a lot of those roads over there have been there since the middle ages. European trucks are smaller for a reason.

That is my truck in my avatar... none.of.it.means anything out here though to the companies. It will.however.make.you a better driver as regardless of them.recognizing it, it is experience.

Hang in there man!

 

http://digitaledition.qwinc.com/publication/?i=118061

check this link for info on the new civilian credentials and licenses for military skills.

taken from the August VFW magazine. page 16

 

Sorry to hear about some of the anti-american companies out here..I hope you have luck with TMC..They are very good,,all flatbed hauling. Keep on them and good luck..
P.S. Let us know how you make out in a later post..