At a crossroads.

Excellent post, I'm awating a call back from my "recruiter" as I type this, and I have a list of questions I'm going to ask, which includes the questions you presented as well. I will report back with my findings.

Thanks for taking the time to share your novelist qualities good sir. You're giving me a run for my money lol. I'm still waiting to hear back about the wedge trailer deal actually.

It's a tough situation all around, but all I can do is try my best to stay focused on the task at hand sadly. You guys have no idea how much I appreciate the kind words, and great ideas that you share. It's definitely been a great help to me, as I try to sort all of this mess out and make the right decision (if there is one) and do what's best for the long term.

Dave

 

Well, I just got off the phone with McElroy and finally got some information. The training is considerably longer than Schneider. SNI would be 4 days classroom then you're issued your truck. At McElroy I'd have one week classroom, 1 week on securement, etc, then out with a trainer for 2 - 3 weeks, then the last week would be back at the terminal testing out and getting my truck. That doesn't bother me really, as I don't believe some extra instruction on various things can ever hurt. I've never done anything other than local so it's probably a good idea to be honest. Orientation for me would be in Ennis, starting out at 48 CPM, no contract,no mandatory per diem, 550 during orientation, I don't recall the amount while training, driver facing cameras (eh) etc, etc. Not much different than most. I have to say I'd prefer flatbed, as the stints I've had flat-bedding I've enjoyed, as opposed to dry van. The catch is, to get into orientation in Ennis I'd have to be there on the 17th, if not, the next opening isn't until May 1st. I certainly can't wait around that long.

On paper, despite the longer training, it "seems" better, but as the old saying goes, "looks can be deceiving." After reading SuspectZero's post, I certainly forgot to ask a few questions.

Dave

 

One helluva post buddy. A lot of great info in there, so much in fact I turned on my PC so I could respond more thoroughly lol.

For starters, back in post #58, when your first thew out some suggestions for some questions I should ask, I immediately jotted down about 15 and emailed my "recruiter." The response I got back was, "please call me if you have any questions." AKA I'm not putting anything in writing, so that's, that.

Regarding being paid zip to zip, if that does in fact end up being the case, I'll be hurting over at Schneider. I'll have to look more into that when it comes to McElroy, as I don't entirely believe anything a recruiter tells me. To be honest, since I've only driven locally I wasn't completely unaware that you weren't paid for "actual miles" which I would be your hub miles correct? So from what I'm understand and reading as I like to research and be informed, HHG would be driving 10-15% more than you're actually paid for, and "practical miles" would be driving 5-10% more than you're actually paid for? I'm sorry if that comes off as naive or ignorant. I like to think of myself as a decently intelligent guy, but since I've been really looking into this OTR/Regional world, I'm finding things out that really puts into perspective how much I DON'T know. It's a bit overwhelming as I'm used to being paid by the hour. So in reality I could drive 2200 miles, but only REALLY be getting paid for 2000?

Regarding the beer run, there's been a interesting development that I didn't find out about until this evening. Earlier this afternoon, I gave that fella a call with the intention of, in a round about way asking realistically what the odds were that the job was mine, as I had 2 companies that want me in orientation on Monday. He of course was out of the office, so upon receiving his call back this evening, I basically touched on the regional situation that I briefly mention in his office, and said that I'm due for orientation, but that I could push it back a week if he felt strongly good about the interview, and my chances with said position. (When I left the interview he said he felt really good about it.) SO, what he neglected to tell me in the interview was, he actually as he put it, "owes this other guy an interview as a favor to a friend." This "interview" is apparently occurring at 11 a.m. Monday morning. So he couldn't really give me a solid answer either way.

So as of now, that's not even a for sure thing anymore. Even IF he call's me back, it will be at the earliest Monday afternoon, or Tuesday morning. Then you're talking about at least a week before they give me the all clear to start (according to him) and on top of that, I just couldn't get a solid answer from him on the "average" turnover. He's been there 13 years, I would think you'd have a better idea. Regarding me getting a route, his response was "well, you could get lucky and it could be a month, or it could be a year, or anywhere in between." That was a bit hard to swallow, but it is, what it is.

Regarding tarp pay at McElroy, from what I've read on their website, their CPM "includes tarp pay." One thing I found strange, is on the site it clearly states MINIMUM 700 bucks a week. When I asked about that, my recruiter said "you're not eligible for that unless there is circumstances like really bad weather, like tornado's, or uhhh floods" Very intelligent response, I know. So either A. there is no problem getting miles so you will make that or more regardless, or B. it's bs and you can, in fact, make less than that. Which if that's the case, they need to restructure the wording on their official company website. But either way, according to my "recruiter" and I use that term loosely, she needs to know by 10 a.m. tomorrow if I'm attending orientation on Monday.

The more and more I delve into this, the more and more I get apprehensive heading off to orientation with a company, leaving my family etc, just to be secretly taken advantage of. On the other hand, I know there's no perfect company, and there's not any DECENT company around here that's really biting, and time's a tickin financially. One of those "###### if you, ###### if you don't" situations.

Dave

 

Once again solid information, with very valid points. I did however get the information regarding the "other interview" before I let the cat out of the bag, so I assume he's being genuine, but the fact it's "a favor for a friend" tells me that if the the other candidate is at the very least not a moron, he has a solid chance at getting the position. The unknown possibility of when I'd ever even actually set foot into the drivers seat is also a consern. So from this point on, I'm putting that scenario on the back burner, and focusing on the "sure things."

For starters I totally agree that an additional week would probably make a world of difference, and allow me to possibly seek out additional companies that might fit my criteria. Unfortunately, if I pass up orientation on the 17th for McElroy, I won't get back in to the Ennis location until may the first. In my current financial situation I know I can't make it 2 more weeks, as well as being able to have enough to make it through orientation week etc.

I actually applied at several other companies but Schneider and McElroy were the only ones that would bite. I know there's a whole mess of companies out there, but because of my certain "needs" I had to mark several off the list.

Regarding Schneider you are correct, the account I got on was the coca cola dedicated account. But at only 32 cpm, with an average of 2000-2200, I'd could in all actuality, make more at McElroy if I was only getting 1800 miles a week vs the high side of 2200 at Schneider. Also, at Schneider, I'd have to either park in Waco at the coke plant which is a good 30 minute drive, or in Harker Heights at the drop yard which is around about the same distance from my home. With McElroy, I could park the truck at my mom's place of business as the owners are willing to sign a letter of "authorization, " which is 5 minutes from my house. With such little time at home on the weekend, little things like that add up to me, even though it's trivial to others.

I know it probably appears foolish for me to appear to be so stuck between two companies like Schneider or McElroy, as I know there are so many others out there. But after 2 months of relentless searching, with no money coming in, its hard to pass up an opportunity to make some money and gain some experience, whether it's optimal or not. I guess as this point I'm just trying to pick the lesser of the 2 evils as cliche as that sounds.

The way I figure it, I lucked out with my job history as far as what's occurred since I obtained my cdl with these 2 companies, and after some rather extensive explaining, and "prooving" I was being truthful, I hate to have to seek out another company, hope I get the time of day, then wait around for more checking on this and checking on that, and then yet again having to give "my side" as to why I "look like a job hopper" just to end up somewhere else, that for a person like myself with nothing but local experience, probably won't be any better than the 2 I'm actually looking at lol.

As far as tightening up for another week, whew, I don't know. It's been a looooooong 2 months, and my savings is almost non existent. I've read this entire thread over, and over again. Just to make sure I haven't missed anything, and doing my best to really let the views expressed really sink in. It's unfortunate however, as when I read my posts over and over, I almost come off as one of those over zealous newbs who "just want to drive regardless who it's for not taking the warnings of those with more wisdom" but in reality, I'm just flat out desperate, trying my best to find the positive in the unfortunate times and less than favorable position that I find myself in.

I stopped by to visit my dad this afternoon, and we of course pined over this situation together, and really fleshed it out. After about an hour of tossing ideas back and forth, and discussing the what's ifs, he put it to me straight. He said "you can only beat a dead so long, before it just won't die anymore." In other words, just make a decision, regardless of what it is, or who you drive for and just do it, and do it to your best ability, because you can get opinions from all kinds of knowledgeable folks but you'll be stuck wondering what the right decision is, until YOU up and decide to make a choice and be done with it. At least that's what I interpreted it as. Thats about where I'm at.

Dave