Ugh, this industry sucks...

While this may be true, it certainly doesn't apply to the local Michigan Works "Agency". I went in there to apply for that no worker left behind program, they refused funding. Told me how they were getting literally 100's of people into truck driving school a week, and that, since i had my CDL already it was a "marketable skill" and they wouldn't fund me for the program to go back and get my IT certifications.

I tried to explain to the lady that it might look good on paper.. Sure, swift, werner, JB is constantly hiring, but did you think about why? It's not because there is an overabundance of freight and not enough drivers, it's because drivers can't last more than 6 months, mainly due to propoganda by companies and recruiters painting a 'rosy picture' about what things are like out there which is almost always stretched truth.

Here around Detroit i've seen nothing but new CDL mill trucks running around, the most recent one that my wife and i laughed at was one with a huge trailer and a bunch of 100 dollar bills on it that says "EARN 50K your first year" .. yeah, ok. I almost wanted to stop them and ask who they were sending new guys to drive for earning that kind of money, because it certainly isn't your typical startup company.

Still, they push and push this CDL program on people. I saw it for my own eyes, there were roughly 30 people sitting there waiting in line to go to truck driving school, if i would've had the time to stand around and tell them what a mistake they were making i probably would've changed lives.. But you can't tell anybody anything, because it looks good on paper. They fail to realize that jobs don't improve the economy, GOOD PAYING jobs do... They are taking what used to be good paying trucking jobs and turning it into an "any idiot can do this" kind of deal..

 

I hear Hiram Abiff Trucking & Temple Building Services pays an honest square wage..

 

Don't beat yourself up. There's nothing wrong for wanting to enter this industry. But you have to be smart about it. Just because you want to do something doesn't mean you do it right now and the way that seems obvious at the start.

Examine your motivation, is it driving a truck that is really the goal. Well-meaning people will often tell people like you and I to just keep trying and then some of the old sayings about determination and so on. Having gone down that road and rung ap a very expensive bill doing it, the smarter way, and the cheaper way, is to stay where you are at until you have a reasonable plan. You may not have a plan to go all the way from your couch to the finish line, but you need a plan to go from the couch to race.

What kind of driving job is it you want? What qualifications do those drivers need? What companies employ those drivers? What do those companies require to hire drivers. Where/how can you get that training. How much does it cost and where do you get it? Work on getting clear answers to those questions while the economy recovers. The schools will always say now's the time to train, but it's not a good idea until you have a clear picture about the first job. If they aren't hiring you shouldn't rush things. Don't keep looking until someone tells you what you want to hear and then act on that.

Doing nothing now is probably better than rushing into the industry and winding up with a driver-abusing company that will likely get you killed, in an accident, or fired and you can pay off your loan while owrking outside the industry.

Good companies want a steady work record so it pays to be very deliberate about making changes. You don't help yourself by making a hasty and ill-advised decision. That's worse than doing nothing.

 

i went through western pacific 10 months ago and obtained my class a license it took me 2 months to land a job. i called the company i now work for 4 times a week for those 2 months.to sell my self, to make a pest out of my self, to let them know that i was just as determined to become a driver, as the industry was to not hire a newbie at that time. it worked. i didn't limit my self to recruiters, or company's like swift or hunt. and at the end of that 2 months i had 3 solid job offers. after reading all the post in this forum and the different personality's that went into them i knew at heart i was a flat bedder so i chose the flatbed company and have never been happier. my point to this long winded reply is simply this if you want it bad enough you can get it just don't be afraid to put yourself out there.

 

hello! i cant respond to you privately yet because i have not posted 50 times. but anyway. Phil Blaisdell has been working with me on my proficiency so I assume he will raise me? I'm not sure how it all works yet but it sure has changed my life. I love masonry and what it teaches me. The ritual work is very interesting to me and I can learn thing quickly. I was given a KT sword that belonged to my great grandfather when my grandpa died. This sparked my interest in the craft and really motivated me to learn as much as I can about masonry.

once I get the required posts in I will email you.

take care!

nick

 

Green, all in due time my friend all in due time. Look for the signs and you will find that you are amongst a brother or two.

 

Yup, there are a few of us.

And, we definitely are traveling men around here... lol



Oh, and to the poster that mentioned getting IT certs, that industry is just as bad as trucking. I actually hold a CCIE, A+, MCSE, and a few others, and work is just as tight, with falling rates thanks to outsourcing from India and Pakistan.

 

Dude! Don't give up! It's tough in every industry. Maybe look into another alternative for driving school, before you dish out $4,000. Ouch! I liked the comment about finding a driving job using a Class B, or even a C. It gets you some experience. Even driving a bus will give you something for your resume. Good luck to you, and maybe set a goal for yourself during this next week to put in 3 applications per day (online as well). I think you will find a job, maybe not your dream job, but a job that can carry you for awhile, and give you a toe-up when you do go to a driving school! Best wishes!

 

Oh boy, can I relate! I must have applied at no less than twenty different carriers and almost all of them said they are looking for at least two years experience with at least a year of mountain driving expertise. Ironically, I got into this field because I wanted to get out of another saturated field (IT). I am now currently looking for not just Class 1, but Class 3, and even Class 5 (straight truck) driving jobs. In the meantime, I have been keeping myself busy by rediscovering my IT roots, hoping as a contingency plan I can find a bottom-feeder IT related job, (I know, good luck). Its discouraging, but then again nothing worth having ever came easy.

The crazy part is that I live in Alberta and a year ago we were in such desperate need for workers, we were actively bringing in people from Mexico. Now for even the most menial jobs, employers are getting at least 400-500 resumes.

 

Yes. I know. But i don't want micro$oft certs. Everyone has them, an 8 year old boy from India has his MCSE, pretty soon they are all going to be a joke, because this is another one of those 'trade school' jokes that's going to ruin another perfectly good career for lots of experienced professionals. Anyway, I wasn't going to get a job with them, if anything I'd start doing consulting. It would just be nice to have the peice of paper that backs me up when i tell people I can do something. Since nobody in this day and age wants to take anyone's word for it... No wonder they can't find workers. At least here in MI, where all these employers are whining to the state about all these supposed jobs that they have.. but wah, wah, nobody is qualified to do them.. Well, get off your Arse and train people.. you don't need a BA to answer phones for crying out loud.. lol

I flip flop alot from day to day, still deciding what i really want to do for the rest of my life, my latest idea is buying a truck, while the prices are good. But I've got lots of work to do before that, though.