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Just graduated, what next?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by northoceanbeach, May 18, 2007.

  1. May 18, 2007 #1
    northoceanbeach

    northoceanbeach Light Load Member

    109
    27
    Apr 4, 2007
    0
    Hi, I just finished truck school here in Honolulu about 2 months ago. I am going back to the mainland in two days and want to get my first trucking job. Long Haul. I'll be living in Eugene, Or. Now what is the process. I really don't know waht to expect. I have a class A, no endoresements yet. So from what little I've heard it looks like you start with the bigger companies? Any idea wshich ones are the best to try? I looked at some from the list in the rate the company forum but it looked like people had bad things to say about every one of them.

    Is there a story anywhere that kinda details the process I go through to get a job or how all that works? I'm sorry, I really have no idea. SInce I went to school in Hawaii they have no long haul here so they just tell you about working locally.

    Is it hard to get a job? I have basically this.
    No tickets in last 3-4 years.
    only maybe 2 stoplight tickets in last 7 years
    never DUI
    never any accidents
    never been arrested
    haven't had a job in about 10 months, but the last one I had I had for 2 years and left in really good terms, delivering pizza.

    SO does that sound pretty good? WHat happens when you get hired? Should I just call a bunch of the bug places and inquire. I guess they probably have orientations once a month and then you drive with a trainer for a month. That's what I gather from the stories I've read.

    Thanks for advice and if you know of any good posts or stories about how to get started and how it all works let me know.
     
    northoceanbeach, May 18, 2007
    northoceanbeach, May 18, 2007
    #1
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  3. May 18, 2007 #2
    Bugz

    Bugz Bobtail Member

    32
    2
    May 6, 2007
    Oregon
    0
    Hope I dont get in trouble for this...But this was a good read for me.

    Newbiedriver.com

    Bugs
     
    Bugz, May 18, 2007
    Bugz, May 18, 2007
    #2
  4. May 18, 2007 #3
    Pyro

    Pyro Bobtail Member

    28
    13
    May 4, 2007
    0
    There are a few differant ways to approach getting a job. One is to do online applications, many websites are available where you fill out one applacation which goes to several companies. One is to start calling around to companies and asking for the recruiting department. You can get numbers from newspapers, trucking magazines, off the internet, and off of company trucks. Be prepared to give work history for ten years that is what many of the companies request. You may want to consider adding a few endorsements to your liscense depending on what type of work you are interested in doing. For the most part your driving record should be clean enough for most companies. There may be a few places who are leary about you 10 months off of work, but there will be plenty of places willing to overlook that as well. Most of the big companies hold orientation every week and then put you with a trainer. Every company varies on the lenght of time you spend with a trainer and how extensive your training is. Once you have done the trainee thing most companies will have you come back to the main terminal to test out of training them you will be assigned a truck. As far as picking a company all I can say is good luck all of them have bad points, some of them have nothing but bad points. Do some research figure out exactly what you are looking for in terms of work and then check out the companies you are interested in. Read on here about them, ask people who drive for them, anything you can to try to get a feel for the company. NEVER BELIEVE ANYTHING A RECRUITER TELLS YOU REMEMBER IT IS THERE JOB TO GET BODIES THERE THEY WILL LIE LIKE YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE TO GET YOU TO GO THERE. good luck
     
    Pyro, May 18, 2007
    Pyro, May 18, 2007
    #3
  5. May 19, 2007 #4
    "BillyBonnie"

    "BillyBonnie" Bobtail Member

    12
    7
    May 18, 2007
    0
    now what was that again.............
     
    "BillyBonnie", May 19, 2007
    "BillyBonnie", May 19, 2007
    #4
  7. May 19, 2007 #5
    northoceanbeach

    northoceanbeach Light Load Member

    109
    27
    Apr 4, 2007
    0
    I spent about 4 hours yesterday reading on this site and the newbdrivs one. It sounds kinda strange to me actually.

    A. They need people badly, yet it sounds like they treat new drivers like garbage and do nothing to keep them. I read many reports about different companies with alot of negatives. If there is such a high turnover rate, why not be better and then people won't quit so often. Just seems like good business sense. Treat employees well and they'll stay.
     
    northoceanbeach, May 19, 2007
    northoceanbeach, May 19, 2007
    #5
  8. May 20, 2007 #6
    Bugz

    Bugz Bobtail Member

    32
    2
    May 6, 2007
    Oregon
    0
    I'm with ya..from what I've read so far I can't imagine why anyone would ever want to drive a truck for a living...Yet I have been drawn to it like a month to a bright light:biggrin_25526:

    I'm sure I'll get zapped:biggrin_25521:

    But what the hell, I start driving school tomorrow.

    I've been self employed for so long (30yrs) it may be tough to work for someone else, but my goal is to be O/O in 4 - 6 yrs, am I nuts? (maybe)

    Bugz
     
    Bugz, May 20, 2007
    Bugz, May 20, 2007
    #6
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