Do I need to go to trucking school? Already have CDL and 4 weeks driving experience

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Carson946, Jul 26, 2012.

  1. Carson946

    Carson946 Light Load Member

    57
    9
    Jul 26, 2012
    Arkansas Mountain View
    0
    Hello! Im 23y.o live in Arkansas, I've had my Class A CDL with tankers for two years now.
    Got my Cdl with I was working with the C.o RoadDept, They let me drive " WITH one of there workers with me" Mack 10speed with a 53foot walkingfloor trailer 60miles to the landfill. I did that only for 3 or 4 weeks when they layed some guys and I off! I've been looking at Pam Swift and JbHunt, Now that I have my CDL would I still have to go to a driving school to get on with any C.O or will they just put me with a trainer?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. nicholas_jordan

    nicholas_jordan Medium Load Member

    608
    101
    Mar 31, 2012
    temple texas
    0
    why do you wanna jack with a trainer??.....

    why not just go to work?
     
  4. OpenRoadDreamer

    OpenRoadDreamer Road Train Member

    6,225
    989
    Apr 26, 2011
    Alabama
    0
    No OTR experience, youll be with a trainer if the company is decent.
     
  5. Carson946

    Carson946 Light Load Member

    57
    9
    Jul 26, 2012
    Arkansas Mountain View
    0
    So i wont need to go in a driving schoool. Just south me of the water hualers for the Gas Rigs are hireing like crazy but the OTR is ther thing. I've been told go to Pam Swift JB Hunt Cr E. I guess If I ask what is a good C.o thats like asking your Favorite food, Every one has there own taste
     
  6. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

    14,656
    18,402
    Nov 1, 2010
    Burnsville, MN
    0
    So you have not been a 'driver' for nearly 2 years, correct?
    And then, only for a few weeks.

    You will probably need at least a refresher course to get hired by any OTR company.

    If you are smart, you will go to school for the entire course before you even attempt to go OTR.
     
    TRKRSHONEY Thanks this.
  7. nicholas_jordan

    nicholas_jordan Medium Load Member

    608
    101
    Mar 31, 2012
    temple texas
    0
    it's like Mooseteek13 says - in other words either you can haul frackwater or you will be going to school ....

    I am trying for frackwater

    edit: Numb, what is LTL?...
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2012
  8. Sea0fgreen

    Sea0fgreen Light Load Member

    98
    51
    Jul 1, 2009
    Rural USA
    0
    I think its a insurance thing that requires you to take a refresher course (like C1) if you haven't driven so many miles commercially in the last year. Not that your gonna learn diddly if you already have the most basic ability to control the truck. Not sure but Ive heard its 15k miles a year or you have to take the refresher. I don't really know though.

    As far as companies, I'd stay away from pam. I know from first hand experience that they don't care about you as a human being at all. Last I checked JB requires 4 months otr experience ( they don't do training at all). If you have to go through training and you live close to Fort Smith/Van Buren go with USA.
     
  9. WvDiesel

    WvDiesel Bobtail Member

    18
    1
    Jul 25, 2012
    WV
    0
    Not being smart or anything,but it don't matter what you have drove its your driving experince that companies look at. Hope you find something good!!
     
  10. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

    4,050
    9,280
    Jan 30, 2012
    Charlotte, N.Carolina
    0
    if you know how to drive , start applying at LTL's or small companies. school is not really required if you have the knowledge. I never went, taught myself. then learned on the job, with small companies.
     
    WvDiesel Thanks this.
  11. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

    5,653
    3,485
    Jun 21, 2008
    Deland, FL
    0
    You will be lucky to get hired on at all without having gone to school. This is because most insurance companies mandate now that you go through an accredited school. If you do get hired on you will most likely at the very least have to do a refresher course and go with a trainer.

    The only way to possibly avoid this would be to go with a small mom and pop carrier.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.