1 year from CDL school

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by L.A.toTX, Oct 10, 2021.

  1. L.A.toTX

    L.A.toTX Light Load Member

    134
    42
    Oct 10, 2021
    0
    I am a year removed from earning my CDL. Background issues and an accident in my personal vehicle the first week of CDL school had me unable to secure a trucking job. I don't know if having more than 12 months removed since the accident will help or if a "stale" CDL just creates a larger problem. Experienced drivers and those who might have faced a similar issue, I am curious to hear what your thoughts are in securing employment driving a truck.
    Currently traveling overseas and will begin applying with companies once returning to the US.
    Thanks in advance for any relevant thoughts.
     
    G13Tomcat and Chinatown Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. N00bLaLoosh

    N00bLaLoosh Road Train Member

    1,027
    8,025
    May 13, 2021
    Novi, MI
    0
    Send out as many apps as you can and understand you may have to lower your expectations. Good luck.
     
    feldsforever and L.A.toTX Thank this.
  4. L.A.toTX

    L.A.toTX Light Load Member

    134
    42
    Oct 10, 2021
    0
    That's kind of the thinking that I have. Thank you for the affirmation.
     
    N00bLaLoosh Thanks this.
  5. L.A.toTX

    L.A.toTX Light Load Member

    134
    42
    Oct 10, 2021
    0
    The one good thing for me is that I am willing to live anywhere in the US, as well as where I have been living (DFW) is a hotbed for the trucking industry.
     
  6. N00bLaLoosh

    N00bLaLoosh Road Train Member

    1,027
    8,025
    May 13, 2021
    Novi, MI
    0
    Let me help you out here @Chinatown. He'll have some insight for you.

    What's up with the accident and the background issues?
     
    feldsforever, L.A.toTX and Chinatown Thank this.
  7. L.A.toTX

    L.A.toTX Light Load Member

    134
    42
    Oct 10, 2021
    0
    Accident was a personal vehicle accident where no fault was assigned (June 2020); no injury; no ticket; no tow. My vehicle did end up being totaled. For what it's worth, it doesn't show up on my MVR.
    Background issue is a non-violent, non-drug felony conviction from 2006. Trucking companies I had been in contact with before starting CDL school told me once I completed school that the recent accident made me too high a risk. A couple told me that with either the accident or the felony, they could probably work with me, but not with both.
    Companies I had been in contact with prior:
    CFI
    May Trucking
    Bulkley Trucking
    Paschall Truck Lines
    Butler Transport
    So, I suppose the big question is will any of those companies be willing to take on a CDL grad a year removed. I am prepared to submit applications to those companies -- and lots more -- to see if a driving job is a possibility.
     
    N00bLaLoosh Thanks this.
  8. N00bLaLoosh

    N00bLaLoosh Road Train Member

    1,027
    8,025
    May 13, 2021
    Novi, MI
    0
    Other guys will be along to give you some good input but given your situation maybe you should check with PAM. The Metroplex is in the heart of their money making lanes you won't have any trouble getting home for hometime. You'll see a lot of bad things about them online and some of them are true but I was with them for 2 years and never had a problem. You gotta start somewhere.
     
    L.A.toTX Thanks this.
  9. L.A.toTX

    L.A.toTX Light Load Member

    134
    42
    Oct 10, 2021
    0
    I am very well informed as to the negative chatter about various companies out there from when I was looking into companies before. Any company that is willing to give me a shot (not considering shady companies that may or may not be doing things legally), I am willing to give that company a chance. With that said, if PAM is my opportunity to get into a truck and that is all I have, then I am taking it.
     
    N00bLaLoosh Thanks this.
  10. N00bLaLoosh

    N00bLaLoosh Road Train Member

    1,027
    8,025
    May 13, 2021
    Novi, MI
    0
    That's the correct attitude. Just get that first job. You'll probably get some solid advice in the next couple days.
     
    Chinatown and L.A.toTX Thank this.
  11. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    74,994
    170,962
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Was another vehicle involved in the wreck?
    Submit as many applications as you want; the more the better.
    Texas, Florida, Nevada are all good for trucking jobs, plus warm climate and no state personal income tax.
    ~
    As far as finding a trucking job, you won't have any problems there.
    Plenty of drivers with a cdl an no experience had no trouble finding work. Some acquired their cdl a decade of more ago and never drove; still found decent jobs. Kold Trans hired a driver with no experience even though he acquired his cdl over 10 years ago.
    ~Kold Trans Refrigerated Transportation & Logistics ..
    [​IMG]
     
    N00bLaLoosh and L.A.toTX Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.