About Looking for Jobs...

EDIT: In hindsight... not sure if this is in the right forum section. Sorry if it's in the wrong place.

So I just got my learner's permit. You folks have been awesome in providing tips to that end, by the way... so MUCH APPRECIATED.

I'm now ready to start looking/applying for jobs. I have my brain wired for a western 11. It's what I really want to do. Not saying I'm not open to other opportunities... but dream job would be western 11, solo, dry van. Spent too many years around hazmat in the military... so no more hazmat for me.

I'm also targeting Schneider (because I hear they have the best training)... so I'm looking to take advantage of the paid CDL.

The only problem is... it seems either Schneider does not offer paid training for their western 11 jobs (majority requires 3 months exp), or it's just flat out not available in CA? I tried googling for it, even using Indeed... but I get very sporadic results. Also, it seems like many Schneider jobs are listed on job boards yet they are not listed on the official Schneider website. Perhaps the job boards are old postings and the Schneider website is the most updated info? Or does anyone know if the job listing on their main website typically doesn't list all the jobs available?

I'm no stranger to paying my dues to get that ideal gig... but if anybody has good trucking company suggestions (western 11, paid CDL training, solo, dry van) I would greatly appreciate it.

 

@Chinatown

 

@gentleroger
Dude, just pick up the phone.

 

Don't rule out hazmat loads pulling dry van or refrigerated. Don't even compare military hazmat to trucking hazmat.
Hazmat loads you may deal with pulling dry van/refrigerated, may be cans of spray paint going to Walmart or Target. The really hot stuff goes to specialized companies that don't hire new cdl school grads.

 

I see CR England trucks every day passing through Las Vegas. Saw one today pulling a Target trailer. The trucks always look clean, new and well maintained.
Don't rule out any company or mega-company right now. Some of those companies pay really well and are a good way to get the career started. Drivers trying to be movie stars on YouTube by badmouthing mega-companies are clueless about real world trucking.

 

USPS since you have military. Prior military is considered pretty high for them. If you have experience in the military driving it’ll count as the experience required. If not after paying your dues I’d apply.

 

Thanks, Chinatown. You've given me some solid advice in the past so I take your advice to heart.

You may be right, perhaps I shouldn't discount hazmat. Are you stating trucking is less hazardous and therefore I should not be opposed to hauling it? The stuff I dealt with are things like jet fuel, explosives, and weapons-grade poisons and acids, and NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) warfare agents... not to be confused with CBRN. It was one of the contributing factors I got out. That s*** scared the F out of me everytime I had to respond with the fire department... particularly the explosives. So hauling the stuff around, from a life decision standpoint, seems counterintuitive.

Are you saying the stuff I would be hauling in a truck won't be quite as hazardous? And yes, I do understand that hauling around the "hot stuff" are probably handled by companies who specialize in it.

 

I was chewed out royally one time for taking a nap on top of napalm bombs. So, yeah, I understand where you're coming from; different real world experiences from military & civilian world.....lol
I faked being ashamed that I would do such a thing, but in reality, I didn't give a sheet what anyone thought. Screw em'. Hope my girlfriend is waiting when I return to Hong Kong for R&R is what crossed my thoughts at the time.

 

Lol

Lol gotcha. So don't be too scared as I probably won't be hauling doomsday stuff. I hear ya.

Many thanks.

 

I had never even considered looking into USPS. Thank you.