New driver introducing myself

Hi all

I am fifty7GM. I just completed CDL training at North Idaho College, Workforce Training Center, and am awaiting my HAZMAT Threat Assessment results so I can get my final CDL w/ all the endorsements. This should all be complete w/in 10 days or so.

I have already been turned down by one company that said they had plenty of drivers more qualified than myself. That was pretty disappointing. The wife and I were hoping to get that one, as they have a close terminal in Spokane, WA. We live in Hayden Lake, ID. They also have newer equipment and are really good to new drivers.

I have apps in to 2 other companies, one which I might go to, but it seems their nearest terminal is in Lewiston, ID...kind of a long commute back & forth to work. The other one is to a company that a lot of truckers don't seem to have a very great opinion about.

I am looking to start OTR, so that I can get the experience that local companies are requiring.

If anybody knows of any companies hiring that have terminals close to Northern Idaho, please let me know. The more apps I can get in, the better.

I am retired military, have worked as a CNA, Security Officer, a Call Center Operator, & in the Food Service Industry, all of which don't pay very well. I have worked 2 full time jobs recently, & seriously want to avoid that. I did have a good paying job as a bus driver for a while, but that was almost 9 years ago. I'd rather do trucking now, because I can't tie down a bus load to keep it from shifting, and a trailer load doesn't talk crap to me.

I'm looking forward to any good info that anybody might have. Want to get working as soon as possible.

Thanks,

fifty7GM

 

update,

I now have my Class A CDL w/ N, T & H endorsements...yahoo!!!

pinsker

 

Hi,

Thank you. I have told the company out of Lewiston that I will take their offer if it still stands. I wouldn't be able to go until the 1st week of August, because I have to put in notice at my current job so someone can be trained to fill in my slot. Other than that, I'm ready to go.

pinsker

 

I've been told that I am accepted for the job out of Lewiston. I start orientation Tue 8/02/11, and start w/ a trainer 8/05/11. Notice submitted at current job w/o a hitch. I'm on my way to being a rookie truck driver.

pinsker

 

Well, I got through orientation. I meet up w/ my driver mentor on Monday 8/8. I'll be w/ him for 6 weeks, then get my own truck.

See ya all out there.

 

Completed 6 weeks w/ mentor. Have been on my own now since the 29th of Sept. Now on 1st home time. 1st 5 weeks went well. Pretty much kept schedule filled, and no accidents. Driving a '09 Volvo. Seems to be working out well. Have had to have a couple repairs done that appear to have been needed since before I got the truck, but all done now. Here is to keeping safe and protecting my CDL.

 

Hey all. Its been a while. An accumulation of 3 preventable accidents in a 12 month period (really, really minor, but still ruled preventable, though nothing reportable, or recordable) caused me to lose my job 11/30/12. I got a new job, with a small flatbed company, within a couple weeks, but that barely lasted a month. Stupid mistakes proved me to be more a liability, than an asset to that company. I have learned from each of these mishaps, and do not intend to repeat any of them.
I'm looking for a position, locally in N ID, or E WA, preferably dedicated regional, that will have me home on weekends, to be closer to my terminally ill wife than I was with the OTR position. Anyone got any ideas? One preventable drops off after the 3rd week of Feb. I'm putting in apps left & right, but no one seems to want to bite. I have my N, T, & H endorsements, and am able to get in & out of Canada without any problems.