Thank you.

It is just like anything else. If a person WANTS it badly enough, they WILL find a way. And Dave, perhaps you need to look into some of these bottom feeding mega-carriers. They will likely require either a diploma or a GED as well.

 

Really, I know that some companies do require it, but I was under the general consensus that trucking was "one of the industries" where a diploma didn't mean much in regards to who can drive a truck/stay out on the road. But hey, you never know man. It wouldn't surprise me.

 

Idk about OTR, but all the good local jobs require a diploma or GED. You can find a job without one but low pay, bad hours, crap equipment, and probably running illegal.

 

Understood and makes sense. I guess in reality one of the reasons I never pursued getting my GED, is because every job I've had "required" a GED or diploma and it never held me back when getting said job, and the few jobs I've been at (I don't job hop) have been pretty legitimate jobs. But, I know it would make a lot of things easier. For instance the situation I am in.

 

There is a lot more to trucking than just driving. you do need some knowladge and good decision making ability. You need to know basic math, you need communications skills, need to understand the all the laws of operating a CMV. Im Not saying that you can't do these things, but this is why companies want a diploma or GED

 

My job just fired a guy because they found out he did not have a diploma. But they were more mad that he lied on his application than anything.
Get the GED, it will help you get a GOOD job, it will be well worth your time in the end.

 

I can add this to the education requirements, and many of you may not believe it. There is a linen company in my state. Not too often they have an ad or two for drivers. Ok, they have tractor-trailer drivers, but the majority of the drivers they need or want, is for the delivery "step vans" that you see on the roads, much like a UPS truck. still with me here?

Well those drivers NEED a college degree! Yep, a college degree. I do not believe that they are o/o's or lease operators. I know, I applied. But all I have is a GED, that I went back to night school, in the 1980's at a local High School and I am glad that I did. Want to know why?

The requirements for a GED back then, certainly ain't what they are now. I may pass another GED test, if I was ever told that my 1980's GED is no longer any good, but I doubt that would ever happen. Then again, have you read my signature? About retiring? So personally, I couldn't give a flip.

That linen company job, is much like ANY company that has a uniform service, that pulls up to your local mechanics garage. But why the need for a college degree? Best I can say/think is, that they deal with money, checks, credits on a daily basis, or just plain WANT a higher education?

So there you have it. There ARE ways to get that ALL IMPORTANT GED. Did you read what I was saying about CDL schools offering it, online offerings? It would NOT surprise me too, if SOME trucking companies offer it as well!

 

Lying on your app. What a wonderful way to start off a new job!
You can't blame them for firing his arse!


As to the linen company wanting a degree, I can see that! They are looking for long term employees that are future supervisors, managers, sales people, etc. It really does make sense, if the company is a progressive outfit. It means their current crop of executives are looking to the future. It also means they are likely to be an "employee friendly" company.

 

I hear ya G.Anthony. Loud and clear!, and I agree that I should get my GED, and I will. I know I need to, as it will only help me. But let me play the devil's advocate here just for the sake of argument. I 100% understand why some companies require certain levels of education, as a requirement to gain employment at their establishment. I also agree that everyone needs to a certain degree, a level of education that will help them once they are out in the real world. But, I know a few people, who like me, made the "not so wise decision" to not finish high school, who, like myself, are decently intelligent people. But because of that ONE mistake, not having that piece of paper with your name on it, WILL impact your quality of life, and there's absolutely no one to blame but myself. But, I just can't get over how many people I know that have their diploma, or their GED, or hell, even a college education, that I wouldn't trust to run a paper route effectively. It's just amazing how a piece of paper, regardless of your intelligence or capability to do a certain job, will automatically get you a step above your fellow man, who might just have a GED, but might be twice the worker, and twice as intelligent, but unfortunately chose a different route in life. But I do get it. I do however, enjoy these types of in-depth conversations.

 

Never even thought of the "promotional route", I would have gone under the idea that if one wanted to be a supervisor, then simply apply for it. But now that I see what you are saying, it is a ground up learning experience, to better communicate with your charges once you've made it there.

You ain't the first, nor will be the last to have quit high school, My reason at the time was what was once called, racial rioting, between the black students and white students. It made for a very nervous learning environment. So I quit, against the guidance counselors advice, and went to trade school. It was say about 10-15 years later, not sure the exact time, that I went back to night school. It has been said, and I am sorry I have no statistics, that just a high school diploma (or GED) a person makes more money in his/her lifetime, than a non-diploma student makes.

When I was going to that night school and it WAS FREE back then, and maybe all of a few months (much longer now and at a cost), I was totally surprised by the sheer number of others that were there as well, and so many were older than me back then. Tell you what too, I had 2 ladies, maybe 10 years older than me, both making eyes at me. One got close to me, and well, I graduated in a different sense! Best darned night school I ever went to!

I think it goes to say, that was my first "cougar" experience, and I LOVED IT!!