Never heard back from Comcar about orientation...now what?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by GolfPro, Dec 25, 2015.

  1. GolfPro

    GolfPro Light Load Member

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    From the beginning:

    I applied to Comcar right before I graduated from CDL school and was accepted, and was told I would be a good fit for the CT flatbed division. I told the recruiter I preferred tankers out of Savannah, and he said that wouldn't be likely as they only have 1-2 openings a year from that terminal. Well, the next day he called back and said he was surprised to learn they currently had two openings for tanker drivers, so I agreed to attend orientation starting on Tuesday the 29th. I spent the last week at my current golf job winding things down and never heard back from the recruiter about where I'm supposed to report, when, where I'm staying and what I should bring.

    As today is Christmas (Merry Christmas to everyone, by the way!), I don't think I'll hear anything...if at all...at least until Monday. That really gives me no time to prepare properly. Since I now have time available I'll call Monday, but not to hear something back this week didn't make much sense to me.

    I'm not really into omens, but I'm starting to think I should probably start with McElroy (they, too, invited me to orientation) and get some non-tanker experience for a year before transitioning into tankers; that is, if I decide to continue in that direction.
     
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  3. roadmap65

    roadmap65 Light Load Member

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    You really should have touched base with the recruiter earlier this week,.Did you keep him informed on the progress of your training? Does he know you passed ect? Call tomorrow. If hes not there call Monday , be prepared to make it happen for Tuesday.
    Why would you want to go flatbed when you can go Tankers? Your earning potential CAN be so much more with tankers if you choose. There is no need to get non-tanker experience to make a transition. Chinatown has a list of all things newbies should bring to orientation.
     
  4. TampaTony

    TampaTony Medium Load Member

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    I can't believe they stick new drivers in tankers right out of school. That's scary and stupid that companies do this. I knew a guy who was burned alive when he rolled a fuel tanker exiting the highway in Grand junction Colorado. Get your experience in something that's more forgiving.
     
  5. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I can't believe a lot of things in this industry but companies are so in need of drivers all one needs is a cdl and a pulse.safety starts with companies and the people they hire to train.op can be one real good tanker driver if he has a real good trainer.
     
  6. GolfPro

    GolfPro Light Load Member

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    Dec 7, 2015
    Ridgeland, SC
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    Yeah, I first talked to the recruiter after I graduated and got my CDL. Yes, I probably should have called the recruiter earlier this week but every time I thought about it I got sidetracked by work. I think I'm going to leave Monday anyway (it's about a 6-hour drive), look at Chinatown's list (he's been very helpful to me), and call the recruiter. The other reply I got on how it's not a good idea to start with tankers right out of the gate gives me pause, though. Seems there's a difference of opinion on this.
     
  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Apply with those other tanker outfits on your list. You can apply online. They all haul out of Savannah.

    Don't waste your time on flatbed if you want tankers.
     
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  8. ethos

    ethos Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Couldn't disagree more. I trained at Schneider Bulk and students have no problem learning a tanker. In fact it's probably for the best as they don't develop habits that could actually hinder driving a tanker. False confidence can be worse than no skill.

    You knew a guy that burned to death? Well lets compare news articles because I guarantee that far more van drivers rolled and burned to death, slammed into something and died, rolled and died, etc.
     
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  9. ethos

    ethos Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    You have to remember its the holidays and lots of people take vacation, I am on vacation right now. At the end of the day you have to make your own decision but my advice is to start tanker and stay tanker. I've pulled van, reefer and flat and I'll never go back to any of those. Tanker is the best and easiest money there is.
     
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  10. TampaTony

    TampaTony Medium Load Member

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    if you think you should be driving a tanker right out of school go ahead. Hopefully nothing bad happens to you or anyone else. I'm new myself and have a challenging task hualing maxi loads in the North West. I myself think about tankers sometimes and it's definitely good money, I just think ill wait a year or two before I strap myself to a rolling bomb. I think I have a good sense of self preservation.
     
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  11. ethos

    ethos Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Which is your choice but driving a tanker isn't that much tougher than any other kind of freight. Secondly, very few of my products are flammable. A load of latex isn't cooking anyone. Most of the time my risk of fire is the same as yours and it's those tanks sitting under you.
     
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