Need advice.. Recent Grad can't get job

I am glad that I took the time to read these posts about the deceptions that go on regarding truck companies not hiring newbies at the present time. One must conclude that now is not the best time for one to hope to break into the trucking industry as a driver.

 

It depends on how one defines "the best time".

I, personally, think it is a perfect time. Once the economy begins to show some signs of resurrection (don't fall for the GDP numbers as reported this week as that was due primarily to our government spending borrowed or freshly printed greenbacks), I think those already in place (yes, those who accepted that he is new to a profession and the proverbial "corner" office isn't available to him) may well be in the cat bird street for the new opportunities where "experienced" drivers are sought. But call me crazy.

Now, if you are speaking about the "seemingly" high barrier to entry into the profession, due to one's lack of experience, or his criminal background, or his having jumped from job to job to job over the past several years, and he not understanding why he's not allowed to climb in a brand new 2010 rig and earn $100k driving a truck while being able to get home every night and on the weekends......then I guess I would have to admit that I agree with you.

 

Ding Ding Ding!!! we have a winner! "Stimulus" money is being thrown at these unemployment agencies for job retraining and one of jobs areas being pushed is the trucking industry. You can't blame a guy for looking to experienced professionals in trying to help himself out of a bad situation and posting a question. or maybe you can. If that's the case find another board to browse instead of TRUCKERS & THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY >TRUCKING JOBS .or maybe someone should try finding a TRUCKING JOBS FOR NON-NEWBIES forum where you can condescend unfettered.

 

Dear RCM i feel your concern and frustration yes in ression or depression times employers can afford to be more choosier so my advice would be don't wait till they actually advertise then your competing with all the rest just go around and canvas a few transport companies let them know your out there and when you get your job really show you appreciate it by going out of your way to do your best and you'll be sure to get a good report from your employer.

 

Just curious, which are the posts the newbies are suppose to believe;

The ones saying that trucking companies aren't hiring new drivers because of the economy.

or

The ones saying that bcause of the conomy companies are hiring all these new drives for low pay so they don't have to pay for experienced driver to increace their profit margin.

 

Both....

CRST admitted on video, they were clearly a training company. 70% with 6 months or less experience.

And there are companies like the one I work for. Who won't even talk to a driver with less than 2 years experience...period. It's been that way for years.

Now this doesn't explain why companies are hiring so many students. But why else would you hire an inexperienced driver, out of 1500 applications from experienced drivers.

Not all these drivers are job hoppers or dangerous mental cases. YRC and many other companies have laid off many dedicated and professional drivers. Who are now being told NO, while the student gets a big hell yeh..

 

I used to be amazed, then I was amused... Now, I'm just disgusted.

I got some of that good ol' "free" (from taxes I've already paid for well over 25 years) gov't money to go to truck driving school. So far, it's worked out pretty well for me, but I consider myself lucky. I'm now a productive member of the tax paying society, once again. Oh Joy! What happiness!!

I'm sure I'm not eating the same foods as Bill Gates (probably), but I am not eating out of dumpsters any more either, and I thank God for that every day! No, I never really ate from dumpsters to start with, but you get the idea. I was unemployed for well over a year, and survived quite nicely. I had the luxury of being able to plan for it though. That sure helps.

And, YES, I read what was posted around the InterWebs msg. boards a couple of years ago. Let's just say it was somewhat more encouraging/uplifting than what we'll read about the trucking industry today. Today it seems like it's all gone to H&77 in a hand-basket. Today my dreams of getting another union job, with a pension and retiring after 20 years... I'm sorry. What did you say? I can't hear you. Did you say I'm gonna have to work until I die? I'm trying really hard to NOT hear that.

Yep. You can make a SURE bet there are plenty of "deceptions that go on regarding truck companies not hiring newbies at the present time. One must conclude that now is not the best time for one to hope to break into the trucking industry as a driver." Huh? Ya think?

While all that is true, & I feel lucky to even be a part of the trucking industry, in these 'sparse' times, there are still a few companies that will hire newbies. I'm employed by one of them. They've treated me pretty fairly, so far. I have some complaints, but they're really small ones, and not worth sharing.

Having said all that though, I would not recommend that just anyone think they can get into trucking these days and earn a good living. It's all hard work, you'll sure earn your pay, and then some, especially flat-bedding.

 

Hey, Not trying to hijack the thread, but, a friend of mine is in a bind and I told her I would ask and see.
Her husband decided he wanted to become a trucker and got accepted to go to a local school, and thought he would be hired by werner after graduation so they took the money out of their savings to pay tuition. Well, here is the scoop.
He graduated and applied to werner, but the wouldn't hire him because of his MVR. He has an Administrative withdrawal on it, his license was suspended for failure to comply. it was some mix up, got caught at a check point with no proof of registration or insurance, was all he had to do was show his registration and insurance to an officer. So he did, but I guess he was also suppose to mail the signed ticket in which he failed to do. So license got suspended, he had to go to court and show registration and insurance, pay court cost and rinstatement fee.
So, will any company hire him with that on I record, if werner didn't?