What are my chances of getting hired locally?

Look rook....the man is asking decent well thought questions...why not give him the same respect you want when you ask yours....I went and read several pages of your drivel and it stinks...the forum rule is if you can't contribute ..then don't post....

 

Just tellin him to be realistic. You know how many people go to CDL school convinced they're going to find local work? Doesn't happen for everyone.

 

You just get your license and suddenly you know it all? Oh wait, I remember you. You knew it all before you got your CDL! There are quite a few companies that will hire local drivers with zero experience. More times than not you're not going to see them advertise on Craigslist or in your local newspaper. You gotta go out and pound doors to find those jobs. Resigning to the notion that you have to go with a "starter" company just tells me that person is to lazy to get off their ### and actually job hunt! I wish I had a nickel for every time I read "you gotta stay a year" or "you have to start OTR" or "you have to start with a mega carrier" I'd be a rich man!

 

100% agreed.....absolutely 100% way too many folks get that song and dance. It's all about filling classrooms any more , not putting motivated people in those seats. The entire industry needs a makeover.....BAD..I'm just sooooo happy that I got in when driving was still considered a profession , and for the most part you were treated that way. Not saying that from the mid 60's to the mid 80's was all unicorns and lolli-pops , but those 20 years give or take a few were the best to be behind the wheel....as an OTR driver/local/or an O/O. I consider myself not only blessed beyond measure , but fortunate enough to have lived it , and been able to take advantage of the pay/benefits/and retirement possibilities it offered a guy. I'm happy that I'm semi retired now and still able to help a friend out...but as soon as his issues are over with I'm back to the "old fart's club......

[quote Chase05} Just tellin him to be realistic. You know how many people go to CDL school convinced they're going to find local work? Doesn't happen for everyone.

 

Yep this hand gets it^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

I know you don't have to start with a mega carrier. I'm not. I don't think it's a great idea to strongly reinforce that people don't have to tho. Some people do HAVE to. Not everyone is lucky enough to get into a small fleet or a local job, it's not right to tell people before they get into CDL school that they dont' have to hire on with a mega. You don't always HAVE to, but you should be prepared for it. I had a handful of people into my class that had the idea they could get local jobs right out of school, and they interpretted that as, there will be local jobs available, not that it was a somewhat slim possibility. They aren't too happy to have to go OTR out of school. Those are probably going to be the guys that quit a couple months into their first year.

From what I've been seeing applying to places, hiring standards have changed quite a bit in the last couple years. Many companies asking for experience really do need to stick with that for insurance purposes.

 

Western Express has a Flat Bed Division. A buddy of mine from school with a similar work background as you including an accident and a ticket while in school went to work for them. He was refused employment by a few other companies and was really down on himself. I told him to keep on looking and if he wanted it bad enough, he would find work.

Now he is happy to have a job in the industry. He will do his year or two with Western Express, put some distance between him and his accident/ticket and move on to better companies. Just keep your head high, have a good attitude, pay your dues and you will do fine in this industry.

 

If it doesn't work out with Western Express, apply online with Paschall Truck Lines. It's dry van, but a good start. Stick with them 12 months and you should be good to go with about any flatbed company. Apply now, and maybe you can get a pre-hire before graduation. Do the online application, then follow with a phone call in about 3 days.

 

what is western express home time pullin flat's i have been a stay at home dad for the past nine years alot of companys i talked to flat out said no not going to name name's....seem's like western would give a guy like me a shot thinking tmc too but can't get any inside info on them...