Is this wrong or would it be fairly common?

Depending on the process some companies may be doing a background check that is intense. I could see a company taking it's time. Not to mention getting back info from previous employers ,. Ect.

 

So what would be the outcome of taking the quick job and applying at the place you really want? Just quit and go work for the other prefered place when they are ready to hire you.

You paid up front for the school and don't owe them money?

 

First, it is pertinent. You might not see how but, for example, there is a huge difference between Schneider and CRST which will effect the recommendation.
Second, if asking for reviews causes the 'good' company to not hire you, I'd say you dodged a bullet there. Anyone that would be offended by the mere fact of asking is not someone anyone wants to work for. If for no other reason, it has to make one wonder if the gossip on the street is that's it's a good company, or if it's fear of getting fired....

 

Also don't feel bad about job hopping. Places like Werner, etc are geared for the driver to be gone in a couple months. At Swift it was 50% of the new hires will be gone in 6 weeks (at lest when I went through years ago) They pay the worst, and require teaming for the first 4-6 weeks as they know that's all the time they have to recoup to onboarding cost.

P.S., the response is more for the OP, just hopping off on skellr's post

 

I'm quoting your comment not because there is something wrong with it, but because I want to amplify it a bit. There are some carriers that have customers that demand that the drivers have been checked out. example, if I understand it right you can NOT get the school bus endorsement if you have ever been convicted of harming a child. Sometimes these background checks can take weeks to order and get processed.
Then there is complying with 391 when it comes to hiring. Some carriers will NOT hire until they get something back. Some will simply tell an applicant they can't make a job offer. The FMCSA is dead serious about the rules in 391.

 

A newbie to the industry and already knows enough to avoid Dollar General. Awesome.

 

Lighten up Francis. It was a joke. With skin as thin as yours you will not make it out on the road