What are my chances?

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by AllForTheMoneyHoney, Apr 23, 2021.

  1. AllForTheMoneyHoney

    AllForTheMoneyHoney Bobtail Member

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    Hello! I have been researching and digging for information on becoming a CDL A truck driver. I really want to switch career paths and I just don't think traditional education is right for me. But I am interested in driving and developing a skill set that I can use to raise a family.

    I'm willing to devote 3-4 years of my life to learning the trade OTR and my future wife is willing to make the sacrifice with me to pay off in the future. I haven't been without a job since I started working, no criminal history, no driving violations besides 1 impeding traffic 8 years ago and a light defect ticket(but no moving violations), and I plan on being at least learned in the michigan cdl manual within 4 months before I apply. Now, my major thing is that I have to wait 4 months before I start applying because I smoke the bud(and plan to stop indefinitely).

    I plan on applying to Swift because they have a terminal 40 minutes outside metro detroit. I want to put my nose to the grindstone and make this how I put my kids in college and buy a house. I'm not here to play games and want to make money. Do you think with my history Swift would even consider me? Or any company? I know I probably meet the requirements but I just don't know really how much of a demand there is for someone like me.
     
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  3. slow.rider

    slow.rider Road Train Member

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    Demand for truck drivers is at or near the all time high, no pun intended. Once you get to CDL school and see the motley crew of oddballs and misfits, you'll start to wonder what the heck you ever worried about.

    My class had felons, recovering druggies, long term unemployed, even a homeless guy who slept, washed up and brushed his teeth in the parking lot. Almost everyone had jobs lined up before they graduated, and most of the ones who didn't, it was simply because they hadn't applied yet.

    They say the homeless guy stopped by a couple years later with his own truck and trailer, tastefully chromed, new clothes and auto-tint glasses. Good for him, because he deserved a way better hand than what life had dealt him.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2021
  4. rbrtwbstr

    rbrtwbstr Road Train Member

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    As long as you have a pulse and can pass a drug test, I'm sure you'll find a driving job
     
  5. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Friend of mine who had no CDL and has not been able to get a job due to lack of education got a job offer call literally 3 mins after he applied to TMC online. They are even going to train him for a 1 year contract.

    Right now there are 4 trucks to every driver or so and rates are so high companys will nearly fight to the death in an arena full of rabid mutant bears to hire you if thats what it takes.
     
  6. roundhouse

    roundhouse Road Train Member

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    All true .
    It’s not like you’re applying for a fighter pilot job.
    When my nephew went to CDL class at the community college, there was a company there recruiting, but they hauled high value “secure” cargo.
    Their client did an extensive background investigation on every driver, and of the 25 in the class , 22 of the students were not even eligible to fill out the application because of their criminal, credit or driving history.

    “We can’t hire anyone who owes unpaid child support “
    1/3 of the class walks out,

    “We can’t hire anyone with any foreclosure or a car repossessed”
    1/3 of the class walks out.

    “ we can’t hire anyone whose ever been convicted of a felony”
    Several more walk out

    “we can’t hire anyone who’s every had a DUI or street racing”
    Several more walk out

    “We can’t hire anyone who’s had ANY moving violation on the last three years”
    Several more walk out leaving three students,

    “Here’s the background investigation application, it will include your parents, siblings, spouse and in-laws”

    Two of the three students get up and leave, recruiter points to the one remaining student and says “you’re hired !”

    Complete this 200 page background investigation application out ASAP ,
    When we hear back from the client in Sox to eight weeks will will give you a call”

    He got the call in Six weeks and got hired to be a trainee to drive oversize overweight loads that are valuable and proprietary enough that the manufacturer pays for a secondary driver to ride along and stay awake at night and keep an eye on the cargo while the driver sleeps.
    He hadn’t even turned 21 yet. The company has a 9 month training at half driver pay to learn the job, so he would be 21 by the time they let him drive out of state. After a few months they had him doing some in state local stuff.

    He gets to haul some cool cargo and go to some interesting job sites.

    there are a few good trucking jobs but again, he’s gone all the time. Not the job for someone who wants to have children.
    That’s why I quit trucking, when we decided to have kids, I made sure the kids were the priority for my time . And I wasn’t going to be sitting at some loading dock not getting paid , thousands of miles away when my kids were taking their first steps or playing their first little league game or forgetting their lines in the school Christmas play.
    Being there when they are growing up is way more important than paying for their college.

    the issue with trucking is that to make money you have to stay gone all the time. it’s not an 8-5 Monday-Friday job where you will be home at predictable times.

    If you have children and a family in your plans, then trucking is not a career I’d recommend.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2021
    homeskillet and slow.rider Thank this.
  7. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    While hair testing for drugs is not recognized by the FMCSA, some companies will use one in addition to the standard pee test. While they say the hair test only shows 3 months (1 1/2 inches of hair), there have been some come on here and say they got a positive when they hadn't had anything for as long as 6 months. So it may be wise to have your hair tested yourself to make sure before you make your move to trucking.

    And there are many companies that will hire in your area. When you are ready to go, come here to TTR and ask @Chinatown to help you find what is available near you.
     
  8. Broke_and_Hungry

    Broke_and_Hungry Light Load Member

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    If this is the only reason you are choosing Swift, there are many other possibilities to check out. Michigan Works currently has grant money to pay for short term training, this is usually at a school of your choice. Don't be discouraged that most MW service centers are closed, you can initiate this process via telephone with your local MW office.

    If somehow you are not eligible for the above, perhaps look at other carrier training programs. A little inconvenience on the front end could mean far less trouble in the long term. An option could be Keller in northwest Ohio. They send you to Trainco and you only have a 6 month commitment, they hair test. There are many options, a little internet research will pay dividends.
     
  9. AllForTheMoneyHoney

    AllForTheMoneyHoney Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the advice! Really appreciate it.
     
  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Swift does hair follicle drug test. If you do go with Swift though, go Swift Refrigerated.
    ~
    One of the companies I'm aware of that does urine drug test only, is Stevens Transport. Training is in Detroit.
    Maybe some other drivers on here know of more companies with cdl training that just do urine drug test.
    Stevens does have excellent equipment and training but the pay may not be up there with Swift Refrigerated. @Wasted Thyme can fill you in on all that.
    ~
    CDL Training & Truck Driving School | Stevens Transport
    CDL Training & Truck Driving School | Stevens Transport
    Stevens Transport is an industry leader in CDL training.
    [​IMG]
     
  11. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Drivers have posted that Prime Inc. just does urine drug test. Maybe Prime drivers can fill you in on that.
    Pay there seems decent and on par with what it should be for the industry.
    ~
    Prime Inc. Truck Driver Training | Paid Class-A CDL Training
    Prime Inc. Truck Driver Training | Paid Class-A CDL Training
    Prime Inc.'s Class A CDL training program gives you real-world experience and prepares you for anything that could happen on the road.
     
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