Starting out for rookies

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by MACK E-6, Jun 29, 2007.

  1. LimpyLegs

    LimpyLegs Medium Load Member

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    Aug 26, 2008
    Midland,VA
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    I have a question,if somebody were to give you OTR experience after being retired for about 8 years in his personally owned tractor would you still be able to count that as road time? it's not sponsored by a company.
     
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  3. jash369

    jash369 Medium Load Member

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    Dec 4, 2007
    roslyn,pa
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    As long as he pays you with paystubs/w-2's/1099

    And also good to have your logs from that peiod of driving.

    Best will be for him to give work reference when new employer calls for job reference........
     
  4. CBtalker205

    CBtalker205 Light Load Member

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    Oct 30, 2008
    Pittsburgh, Pa
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    Hey all. I finally found a forum that might be able to help with my problem. I have a criminal background problem but it's clean for four years now. I have my CDL class A permit (obtained through the state DMV). I have tried about 20 different companies and get the same story, " you need to go to a school, and have at least 1 year OTR exp.". Does anyone know of a company that could train me and help with the road test? I do have some driving experience as I drove a septic tank pump truck and tank hauler with a back hoe trailer as well as an International 4300 flatbed tow truck. Anyone with info please message me.
     
  5. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Sep 8, 2007
    Utah's DIXIE!
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    Welcome to the forum CBtalker! If you take the time to look through here you will find a lot of threads on trucking companies and schools. Most all of them have a lot of bad stuff written about them. Most of it is true.

    Unfortunately, that is how a lot of us have started out. You will likely be better off to find yourself a truck driving school through a local community college applied technology course. You will have to pay upfront (of course you can finance it) but when you are done with the school, then you can be picked up by some of the smaller trucking companies to get your first few months (to a few years) in.

    The problems with going to a company school is that they have you locked in on a contract for a certain length of time. If you don't fulfill your contract, then you will owe them very big bucks. While you are fulfilling your contract, you will be reamed, raped, screwed and basically molested. A lot of guys go this route, and most of them don't last. Of course many do.

    Good luck.
     
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  6. mickar

    mickar Bobtail Member

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    Nov 8, 2008
    Palatine, Illinos
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    Hi everybody, I am new, on Wednesday starting orientation with Werner. I noticed all coments, good and bad but where else can I start? I did all paperwork with Roehl, was approved and when called to schedule orientation was told that they are not hiring now!? Tried with Schneider, didnot work, KLLM keep asking all kind of info until one month passed by and then told me that it is too late to hire me...My record is clean, got licence on 09/15/08 and need to start working - any sugestion?
     
  7. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    NASA HQ
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    Yeah, don't go with werner...:biggrin_2554: Try watkins sheperd or look at pulling flats.. Watkins also has flats. USX just about anyone over werner.
     
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  8. flannel

    flannel Light Load Member

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    Dec 4, 2008
    Wayne MI
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    Hi try finding companies from canada!!! Hope this helps
     
  9. bossman211

    bossman211 Light Load Member

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    Dec 25, 2008
    lakeland fl.
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    Anyone else having problems getting on in Fl.? With the economy down there aren't many construction openings. Most of the companies I've talked to aren't hiring in Fl. I have relitives in other states so I'm thinking about using their address to get work. Any thoughts on this subject would be very useful and apreciated.
     
  10. chaser1

    chaser1 Light Load Member

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    Aug 9, 2008
    detroit,michigan
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    Good Morning from Michigan!

    I know of one school who may help----US Truck Driving School. Check out their web site and talk to a rep and MOST OF ALL---Be Honest about the background....they will find out anyways. Also, it does matter what the charges are/were.
    Good Luck & God Bless you !

    Wishing you nothing but success and happiness in the New Year !
     
    bossman211 Thanks this.
  11. jash369

    jash369 Medium Load Member

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    Dec 4, 2007
    roslyn,pa
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    If you are able to move, use an address that is close to Fl. and don't have to go to Fl. on your hometime you will have better chances.

    Fl. has always been tough for the truck co.'s.......Their is not alot of non container work coming out of Fl. for the bigger companies. Their are also alot of independent O/O's that work for lower rates to not make it profitable for those co.'s to keep drivers there.

    Good Luck.............
     
    bossman211 Thanks this.
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