The Industry still needs new drivers....but beware

Future Truckers · May 18, 2009

I have read several posts here about new drivers getting a raw deal. I hate that their first taste of the trucking industry was a bad one. The trucking industry is still an honorable way to earn a living for the "right people". It is not a job everyone is cut out for.

The good news is that many major carriers are still hiring entry level drivers. Thats right, when you graduate a truck school you are an entry level driver, not a professional.

As a truck school owner, let me give some advice:

1. Research the schools in your area through the BBB, DMV, Trucking Companies that hire their students. Be wary of schools trucking companies with hold comments on.

2. Don't let price be the final factor. My school is a little higher than some and a little less than others. In the end, you will probably get what you pay for.

3. Ask the school about their instructors. Look for schools who maintain the same instructors for long periods of time. The school is doing something right id their turnover is low. Make sure the instructors are licensed through the state. Some schools hire old drivers with experience but they can't teach their trade.

4. Look for schools who do not offer high payout financing. I am a truck school, not a bank. You are better off finding a way to pay for your training out of pocket. If i charge 3000.00, that is what you pay. Not the 10,000.00 it would be at 15 years and 18% interest.

5. Never give anyone money to hold your seat. You will never get it back and it is a big scam.

6. Look at the equipment they use. Is it industry compliant. Trucking companies do use 1975 Macks to carry friehgt and you shouldn't train in it.

7. Look for a school that turns away as many applicants as they accept based on background. A school should not take your money knowing they cannot place you in a job upon completion.

8. If you are not sure about work, a quality school will provide you with applications before they enroll you to fish for oppurtunities after completion. A pre hire letter goes a long way to ease your mind.

9. Look for a school that does not have fast talking sales people. Look for straight forward admissions rep who paint a true picture of what to expect. Time away from home, good days and bad days, etc.

RickG · May 18, 2009

Future Truckers said: ↑

I have read several posts here about new drivers getting a raw deal. I hate that their first taste of the trucking industry was a bad one. The trucking industry is still an honorable way to earn a living for the "right people". It is not a job everyone is cut out for.

The good news is that many major carriers are still hiring entry level drivers. Thats right, when you graduate a truck school you are an entry level driver, not a professional.

As a truck school owner, let me give some advice:

1. Research the schools in your area through the BBB, DMV, Trucking Companies that hire their students. Be wary of schools trucking companies with hold comments on.

2. Don't let price be the final factor. My school is a little higher than some and a little less than others. In the end, you will probably get what you pay for.

3. Ask the school about their instructors. Look for schools who maintain the same instructors for long periods of time. The school is doing something right id their turnover is low. Make sure the instructors are licensed through the state. Some schools hire old drivers with experience but they can't teach their trade.

4. Look for schools who do not offer high payout financing. I am a truck school, not a bank. You are better off finding a way to pay for your training out of pocket. If i charge 3000.00, that is what you pay. Not the 10,000.00 it would be at 15 years and 18% interest.

5. Never give anyone money to hold your seat. You will never get it back and it is a big scam.

6. Look at the equipment they use. Is it industry compliant. Trucking companies do use 1975 Macks to carry friehgt and you shouldn't train in it.

7. Look for a school that turns away as many applicants as they accept based on background. A school should not take your money knowing they cannot place you in a job upon completion.

8. If you are not sure about work, a quality school will provide you with applications before they enroll you to fish for oppurtunities after completion. A pre hire letter goes a long way to ease your mind.

9. Look for a school that does not have fast talking sales people. Look for straight forward admissions rep who paint a true picture of what to expect. Time away from home, good days and bad days, etc.
Click to expand...

You forgot a few things .
WHY are carriers hiring entry level drivers ? All carriers are reducing their fleets . Werner is cutting back 4% of their fleet . So why are they still hiring ? They are hiring because drivers keep quitting . They are hiring entry level drivers because experienced drivers refuse to work for them .
Freight dropped another 3% in March - now at its lowest level in 7 years .
Less freight means less miles for drivers . Plenty of members say they get less than 1,500 miles a week .
Prehires mean absolutely NOTHING . A diploma and CDL don't mean much more . There are also many posts about many graduates being rejected at orientation or shortly thereafter by a trainer .
There are also posts by members who graduated several months ago and still haven't been hired so their CDL has no value unless they take a refresher course .
There isn't a carrier out there that doesn't have several hundred applications on file . Going to CDL school is a fool's game . A lot of food could be put on the table with the money thrown away to attempt a dead end career .

Future Truckers · May 18, 2009

As we talk today alot of what you say is somewhat accurate. However, anyone that has been in this industry for any time at all knows this isn't the first time nor will it be the last time we see a slow down in hiring and frieght. I cannot speak for every school, but I can speak for mine. We absolutely have no trouble placing our graduates upon graduation. It is called building relationships with your supporting carriers. The problem is when you say alot of food could be put on the table with money thrown away on a dead end career, you haven't taken into consideration that the majority of our clients have no career and need something to get going quickly. We are in constant contact with our carriers and continually assist them as well as our graduates throught the hiring process as well as the training period after school. Keep in mind, we turn away 3 times as many people as we allow in and we only train 300 to 350 students per year. It is very unfortunate that a few(many) schools have taken the high road and used many deserving students to line their pockets. There is a place for quality truck schools and one should be careful not to lump them all into the same category.

Also, keep in mind that every truck school graduate does not captain their own ship properly and then blame the first mate when things go wrong. It does happen. Graduates can and some will get the short end of the stick. However, good schools will stick by their graduates that are doing their part. Good schools will work past graduation to assist in job placement. Good schools will provide that refresher course to those who got the short end of the stick but not to the ones that sat around and cry in their beer because the one company they applied for fell through.

So you see, there is two sides to every story and every school is not a "fools game". As I said, investigate and compare. Bad schools do not get the blessing of their local DMV or BBB by treating its clients in a poor manner.

RickG · May 19, 2009

Future Truckers said: ↑

As we talk today alot of what you say is somewhat accurate. However, anyone that has been in this industry for any time at all knows this isn't the first time nor will it be the last time we see a slow down in hiring and frieght. I cannot speak for every school, but I can speak for mine. We absolutely have no trouble placing our graduates upon graduation. It is called building relationships with your supporting carriers. The problem is when you say alot of food could be put on the table with money thrown away on a dead end career, you haven't taken into consideration that the majority of our clients have no career and need something to get going quickly. We are in constant contact with our carriers and continually assist them as well as our graduates throught the hiring process as well as the training period after school. Keep in mind, we turn away 3 times as many people as we allow in and we only train 300 to 350 students per year. It is very unfortunate that a few(many) schools have taken the high road and used many deserving students to line their pockets. There is a place for quality truck schools and one should be careful not to lump them all into the same category.

Also, keep in mind that every truck school graduate does not captain their own ship properly and then blame the first mate when things go wrong. It does happen. Graduates can and some will get the short end of the stick. However, good schools will stick by their graduates that are doing their part. Good schools will work past graduation to assist in job placement. Good schools will provide that refresher course to those who got the short end of the stick but not to the ones that sat around and cry in their beer because the one company they applied for fell through.

So you see, there is two sides to every story and every school is not a "fools game". As I said, investigate and compare. Bad schools do not get the blessing of their local DMV or BBB by treating its clients in a poor manner.
Click to expand...

You still avoided the question . Why are carriers continually hiring ? Schools say they did their job because student got a CDL and got hired . But how long do they keep those jobs ? Not very long or the carriers wouldn't constantly be hiring .
This isn't the first time freight has slowed but the fact is it is at its lowest level in 7 years . I do believe this is the first time carriers have pushed starting wages back to what they were possibly 20 years ago - $.22 -$.24 cents a mile . This is the first time in my memory drivers were charged for fuel for idling beyond an unreasonable limit . This is the first time I have seen drivers unable to get 2,000 miles a week .
They are not "getting something going quickly " going to school . I see some waiting 4 to 6 weeks to start school . Then a couple of more months in school . Then they might wait months to get hired if they get hired at all . Then many get rejected at orientation . If they make it through orientation they get sent home to wait without pay for an available trainer who may reject them . You're talking in many cases of over 6 months without a paycheck . For what , to spend half the time sitting at a truckstop waiting for loads and get 1500 miles a week at $.22 a mile ?

Red Fox · May 19, 2009

The very reasons I'm still at home trying to find construction work. But this is just as bad, as we're being undercut to death by people who live 20-25 in a house and can work for peanuts. Craigslist and other job hunting sites have netted me a hundred scammers, addy harvesters, and MLM marketeer schemes. Every ad I've posted gets me MLM's and no work, or Nigerian sh*tbrain scammers.
I think I'm going postal. Made about $300 last month. Pee-filled truckstops are beginning to look good, regardless of freight, but I do see your point, Rick.

Joey92TT · May 19, 2009

I just got rejected by Roehl for going to high on the heart rate test along with another guy in our class of three. Hard to believe as both of us are in good shape and just were nervous. I'm finding out a lot of guys are rejected because of it. Seems Roehl would've been a good company but I'm somewhat relieved as I too believe that the miles just aren't there right now to make much for a new guy and going with a few months with basically no income with kids and a house wasn't the greatest situation in the world. The first year would've been tough at the low pay and I am very suprised that so many guys can make it. All in all may have been a blessing for me.

chipbase · May 19, 2009

joey what the heck are they doing to make your heart rate go up? I leave on monday to go to orintation any tips

RickG · May 19, 2009

Joey92TT said: ↑

I just got rejected by Roehl for going to high on the heart rate test along with another guy in our class of three. Hard to believe as both of us are in good shape and just were nervous. I'm finding out a lot of guys are rejected because of it. Seems Roehl would've been a good company but I'm somewhat relieved as I too believe that the miles just aren't there right now to make much for a new guy and going with a few months with basically no income with kids and a house wasn't the greatest situation in the world. The first year would've been tough at the low pay and I am very suprised that so many guys can make it. All in all may have been a blessing for me.
Click to expand...

Here's the medical form . Note 5. Blood pressure
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/safetyprograms/Medical-Report.pdf

Between 140/150 90/99 you qualify with a 1 year certificate . But some carriers reject applicants with BP over 140/90 that can't get certified for 2 years .

chipbase · May 19, 2009

Hey Rick thanks for the info. I have never had high blood presure. I was just wondering how many miles they had to run! LOL

I have been appling for every job under the sun like you suggested to me a while ago. The best I have been offered is 8.60 an hour.

I still have 5 days something could come through. I know my wife would love for something to come through.

It is very hard to fing a CDL job with no experience though. For the record I am appling for any job.

This job market really sucks right now.

chipbase · May 19, 2009

Rick, Had one question. That form is on the long form of your physical. I just took a physical for Roehl. I believe what he is talking about is the test Roehl makes you take when you get to oreintation.

Lifting weights while squating climbing steps repetitivley while holding weights. That kind of thing. I know the form you have shown.

LOL, shoot I have had 5 physicals in 4 months and one DOT card. I have the physical mastered 2 year card every time. For what it is worth. LOL

Log in or Sign up

Forums

Find Trucking Jobs

The Industry still needs new drivers....but beware

Future Truckers Bobtail Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

RickG Road Train Member

Future Truckers Bobtail Member

RickG Road Train Member

Red Fox Road Train Member

Joey92TT Bobtail Member

chipbase Light Load Member

RickG Road Train Member

chipbase Light Load Member

chipbase Light Load Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Find Trucking Jobs

The Industry still needs new drivers....but beware

Future Truckers Bobtail Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!

RickG Road Train Member

Future Truckers Bobtail Member

RickG Road Train Member

Red Fox Road Train Member

Joey92TT Bobtail Member

chipbase Light Load Member

RickG Road Train Member

chipbase Light Load Member

chipbase Light Load Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!