Attention all rookies and wannabes: Local Jobs for New Drivers

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 7122894003481, Jan 14, 2012.

  1. magnus1225

    magnus1225 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 28, 2012
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    Great information. Helped out a lot!
     
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  3. cool35

    cool35 Heavy Load Member

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    I've been hearing that people are having a hard time finding a driving job if they have an employment gap. So even if you are new to the industry, if you haven't worked in a year or 2, at any job, they will give you trouble. They want to know what you have been doing. I had a friend that didn't work for 3 years, then some how got a job for 3 months with an owner operator. The owner operator sold off his trucks so my friend only ended up having 3 months recent experience in the last year. He bit the bullet and hired on with Covenant Transport. They were the only ones that he could find that would take him with all the employment gaps. He just told them he was a stay at home dad and he got some papers notarized with family backing him up. He said Covenant was the only company willing to let him do that. He was calling everyone. He said a lot of companies said no problem but when he got to orientation they kicked him out for it. So I guess if you have employment gaps, make sure you can fill them some how.
     
  4. born&raisedintheusa

    born&raisedintheusa Road Train Member

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    October 1, 2012, I turned 56. I currently work at a retail outlet, have been doing so for 5 years. I am trying to last at least another 5 years to meet the 10 year verifiable work history requirements that many truck driving schools and companies require, providing that I do not get laid off or terminated. 4/17/2017 will be my 10th. year of continuous employment at the retail outlet. I will be 60 going on 61 on 10/1/2017, about 5 years down the road.

    I am doing this only because my last spell of being unemployed was "unverifiable" unemployment. I did not file for or receive any unemployment compensation at all. This was for a 7 month period. My family carried me through till I had found another job. During those 7 months, I was helping my 2 sisters to care for our elderly mother, before she passed away, 9/30/2007, a little over 5 years ago. She was 86. Our father passed away over 31 years ago, 7/2/1981. He was 59.

    Rather than go through the process of trying to "fill in the gap" "through some service" I am trying to have a regular 10 year work history that cannot be torn apart. It is difficult and stressful, but it can be done. I am diligently trying my best to meet this requirement to avoid having both the D.O.T. or any potential trucking companies "rip me apart" on this.

    In the mean time, I am using the waiting time to get myself in the best physical shape possible, along with trying very hard to get my health in the best condition possible. I am trying to maintain a normal blood pressure, maintain sugar levels to avoid diabetes, and trying to maintain both triglycerides and cholesterol to proper levels to avoid heart attacks and strokes. I have already lost 30 pounds with another 15 to 20 pounds to go. The one thing that I must also do is to get a lot of dental work done in the next several years.

    With both parents UNFORTUNATELY being deceased, never having been married, never having had any children, trying like a son of a gun to become healthy and fulfill D.O.T. requirements plus trying to acquire a stable work history, I really and genuinely do hope to eventually be able to get behind the wheel of a semi, whether it be over the road or local LTL.

    I really do want to become a truck driver. I realize that it must be done the right way to avoid rejections and penalties.
     
  5. frannyde

    frannyde Light Load Member

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    Aug 25, 2012
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    MJE......... all you need to do is go to your local State College CDL course. It's usually an 8 weeks course of classroom then you test and get your permit, and move on to the skills pad and driving, then you will test out and get your CDL. There are plenty of companies that will hire you NOW as soon as you complete the course. They are not the best companies out there, but they DO hire green rookies and send you out with a trainer where you can learn more. In this industry, you either grasp it or you don't. The main thing is when you DO get hired, suck it up and try to stay at least 6 months to a year, then moving on, a year to TWO years, etc.... You can then gradually work your way up to better and better companies.
    Not knowing what State you live in, contact your State College and inquire about their Commercial Driving Classes. Look into WorkSource of (your state). WorkSource Florida, paid for my schooling. Don't get sucked into Werner, Swift etc..... school. GO TO A STATE COLLEGE.
    Good Luck to you and anyone else trying to get into the industry. Just get off your butt and do something about it!
     
  6. vido1973

    vido1973 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 3, 2012
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    How much do most of these jobs pay on avg ?
     
  7. frannyde

    frannyde Light Load Member

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    Well look them up on the internet! Call them and ask them. I would venture to say anywhere near. 28 cpm!!
     
  8. CRG

    CRG Bobtail Member

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    Dec 6, 2012
    San Antonio,Tx
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    Good to know.
     
  9. nightrider57

    nightrider57 Bobtail Member

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    Thank you for your posting. I do have another question maybe you'd have some adivse on. I and my wife want to get CDL's and drive together. We have discussed all the variables and we have questions. The main one is, are there any companies who let husband and wife train together through the whole process, until they can go OTR together as a team? We don't like the idea of me training with some guy or gal, and her with a different guy or gal. We'd like to be together.
     
  10. cool35

    cool35 Heavy Load Member

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    I'm not aware of any that do that. I know a lot of them that train you split up and then put you together after about 6 weeks. I think I remember one company that trained couples together back in the late 90's. I don't remember who they were or if they are even still around. Hopefully someone else will chime in or create a new post on this subject. Good luck
     
    nightrider57 Thanks this.
  11. frannyde

    frannyde Light Load Member

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    Aug 25, 2012
    Florida
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    Thank you for your posting. I do have another question maybe you'd have some adivse on. I and my wife want to get CDL's and drive together. We have discussed all the variables and we have questions. The main one is, are there any companies who let husband and wife train together through the whole process, until they can go OTR together as a team? We don't like the idea of me training with some guy or gal, and her with a different guy or gal. We'd like to be together.


    I suggest you just ask the companies you call. You have to understand, there are only 2 bunks in a truck and they aren't that big. Request a professional trainer. You would probably go out ASAP! If you and your wife are that picky, she will most probably wait a while for a female trainer. My suggestion is to SUCK IT UP and act professional and take who you get, and get it over with and get on with the happiness of you and your wife driving together. When I first started (I'm female) I had to train with a real gruff &%# hole from Michigan or somewhere up there, (no offense) but he was a gentleman and taught me a lot.
     
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