Hello Total Newbie here-

Good idea!.. one of my best friends works for them, it's the same as Foodservice which we did together for 10 years. That definitely isn't for someone straight outta school!... they set plenty of drivers with experience up to fail, Don't need that straight outta the gate.

 

Along with Foodservice, although the money is good. There's a reason most of them used to require 1-3 years experience!.. the job never changed, the workforce did, and they lowered hiring requirements to fill seats!

 

I'd hate to see a newbie go the Swift route if ya can avoid it. Or any Mega carrier for that matter... your new, there's gonna be issues along the way, you only get one chance to start out fresh in the industry. While you won't find that "dream" job as the first one. Don't sell yourself short, don't be a number someplace they'll never remember your name.

 

I just looked at Mesilla Valley and the website doesn't show they hire new grads. Maybe that's changed.
Swift has some decent accounts, but broaden your horizons and look at several companies. Get all the endorsements before graduating.

 

CDL | CDL Training | Phoenix Truck Driving School
El Paso, TX. This CDL school offers comprehensive training for civilians in and near El Paso, TX. You will learn all the necessary skills to pass the CDL exam, including the written and …
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Programs at our CDL schools also cover information for the air brakes test as well as three endorsements: hazardous materials, tanker, and doubles/triples.
Yeah, get all the endorsements.

 

Read this on your cdl school website.
"Our El Paso location is on the Knight terminal."
Knight may have some decent accounts. That's another one to explore.
Looks like you may have a dozen choices!

 

If you have been away from home for 8 weeks, then OTR will be a breeze for you. With a good, true OTR company, it takes at minimum 3 to 4 weeks to really see some money. In this first year, remember to focus on what's directly in front of you. Right now, it's school. Then the month long training, then when you're out on your own, take everything one load at a time. In this industry, drivers have to focus on what's in front of them in that moment, and not have any distractions, or look too far ahead.

When you get to your first company, try very hard to stick it out for 1 year. You'll have a lot of opportunities available to you then. Sure there are companies that hire after 3, 6, 9 months, but you'll just be moving around the beginners rung of companies most likely. With 1 to 3 years experience, the opportunities are endless.

 

Welcome aboard, you came to the right place. I don't feel there's any need to go to the "Ladies Room" part, you are asking advice as a driver, gender no longer makes you any different, and many pros, like me( cough), may never see your post.
Our resident recruiter, Chinatown, with no particular affiliation to any, tends to jump the gun a bit. A regular "rollodex" of knowledge, once you finally decide what to do. It can be overwhelming, but enough experience here to help you. We never had that. . It seems military is usually preferred when hiring, can't beat the gubment for a reference, and should be, I say, pick a reputable company, go to THEIR school, a job will be waiting for you. We've heard of stories where a private school wasn't good enough, and folks get screwed. That way, sometimes you can work the schooling off, and eliminates the job search later. OTR has certain demands, you will probably have a trainer ride with you, most okay, some doozies, but again you'll find a distinct lack of discipline you may be used to in the military, but for what might happen on the road, an ex-military couldn't be better. Remember, starting out, you may get the bottom of the barrel, not that it's bad, it just takes a while. You'll learn quick or fail. OTR, and yes, Dollar General accounts( they aren't so bad) are what usually you start with, and again. patience is the key. Liking to travel is important, but it's a lot more than that many aren't ready for. Keep us posted, eh?

 

Agreed on everything you said, except the school part. While It'd be nice to get your school paid for, you are also then obligated to work for that carrier for x amount of time. If things go south, or anything happens and for whatever reason you need to change jobs during that time then your on the hook for it and they want their money back. If you attend a private school, you don't have that hanging over your head if you end up in a job that isn't for you, which is very possible starting out. Some carrier's will actually offer to reimburse your school tuition over time. That's a better way to go leaving you more options IMO. Everybody's different though, just my 2 cents.