Flatbed Companies that hire students.

I just hung up with a Melton recruiter, to find out I'm not sufficiently qualified to work for Melton.

I'm graduating December 18 and I'm attending the best school in Florida, Sheridan Technical College. 320 hr., 1,000 road miles and Sheridan is where ALL examiners in the State of Florida get their examiner's certification, notwithstanding that tuition is only a few bucks over 2K.

Be that as it may, I have a clean 7 year MVR, except for a red light camera ticket that's going to court on December 5th. And, given the recent appellate court decision that governs the county where the ticket was issued, which finds these tickets are unconstitutional, my attorney foresees a dismissal.

I don't have a criminal record, have not had an accident (at fault or not at fault) in 17 years, no DUI/DWI's ever, and I was the first student in my class to get his Class A CDL.

When I mentioned this, the recruiter's excuse was that they "don't have sufficient trainers to handle student influx" and that they had "found a better qualified candidate for the position." Sure, probably someone with truck driving experience. And if that's the case, why in G-d's green earth would they even entertain the application from a student?

What a load of harah!!!

 

What do I care if they detect a bit of pompousness? They're not hiring me and truth-be-told, I wouldn't work for any company that lacks ethics. You do make a valid point. But, I had already considered it.

This is my third career in my lifetime. I went from being a corporate pilot to being a legal professional, and now to being a truck driver. Why? That's my business. But, rest assured, I know all about professionalism. I also know better than to believe everything people tell me, especially recruiters, notwithstanding that I can tell, very easily, when someone is lying.

So, on the one hand, I had a recruiter who was reasonably thorough and ethical, answered all my questions well, and provided sufficient information for me to craft an opinion, and told me to call when I was within 2 or so weeks from graduation, to confirm a start date. On the other hand, being unable to speak to the recruiter I initially asked for, I end up with speaking to some dumb schmuck who can't even muster a credible lie.

So you tell me 88 Alpha; how would you feel? You've been a trucker for 20 years. But I've been a professional since 1982. And in that time I've learned that ethics and truth are integral parts of professionalism. Just because someone gets paid to drive, does not make him/her a professional driver. And recruiters lie for a living. My "beef" is not whether a recruiter will lie. But, since it's more likely than not that they're going to lie, at least the all can tell the same lie.

I'm sure even you could appreciate that.

Yes, I am "graduating," and have not "graduated" yet. However, for reasons to which you're not privy, I require as much information available, and as far in advance as possible, in order to make a decision that will be the best for my family and for me. I realize being a nugget in the trucking industry will carry its share of "growing pains." But, I don't need a company that lies to compound them.

Have a good evening.

 

And what does one have to do with the other? I was the first in my class to get his CDL, because, all modesty aside, I'm the best student in my class. Not because of superior abilities, but because I do something most other students don't; I pay attention. And, I have something most other people lack; common sense. Lessons in life I've learned in 52 years of existence and two previous professional careers, one of which called for my having people's lives in my hands.

All that aside, it's apparent you're buying the company line. Do yourself a favor and concede that you were not privy to the conversation today, or a month ago, and you're speaking in hindsight, which is always 20/20, but lacks the benefit of information.

The recruiter to whom I spoke today was a ####### who pretended to know what she was talking about. And her incompetence was palpable.