Considering CDL, what’s the best path for a job with no exp?

The problem is the same in IT, the amount of applicants. Especially after the “Learn to code, bro” trend took off. The vast majority you just ignore or short but definitive no. The part I find disconcerting is the sudden ghosting after being engaged positively.

Changing your mind after sending out an offer letter or even a verbal one was pretty rare and you definitely owed the applicant a good explanation for it.

Different environment for sure.

 

Wait until you start working and they send you to the wrong address, company moved 5 years ago (75 shipments). It makes no sense. It cost time & money. Or a dispatcher asks you to drive 75 miles away to ask a clerk a question because your dispatcher is too busy to make a phone call.

 

This is based upon internet stuff rather than personal experience but makes sense to me.

If you go to company cdl school, carefully examine the terms and conditions for paying off the debt.

Some companies withhold a percentage a month until paid off. If you leave the company prior to full payoff, you owe the remainder. Check if there is a penalty for this.

Other companies, Roehl for one reportedly, the entire debt is cancelled entirely after some term of employment. However, if you leave the company prior to this term, you owe the full amount.

There is a lot of hearsay that companies that do things this way will seek to terminate employees shortly before this term is complete and then aggressively pursue collection of the full amount of school.

I don’t know how true these reports are, but one sees there is a economic incentive for them.

So fully understand the amount owed for training and the payoff terms.

Also understand that the mega OTR starter companies have astronomical turnover rate for drivers. saw one statistic as high as 92% per year, others somewhat lower but still greater than 70%.

Thus, cycling drivers is completely normalized and baked into their operations. That makes reports of terminating drivers just before a lump sum tuition payoff credible at least.

 

If you are fired before completing the time/mileage obligation you will owe for the "free CDL school". Some places charge a proportion based on length of service & some charge you full price if you quit/get fired a week before completion.

For the love of dogs, find the job that fits your needs, and only then decide about CDL school. Going to any old random CDL school often limits what companies you can work for. Lots of companies offer Tuition Reimbursement to help pay for CDL school. It is a thousand times more important where you work for the first year than which CDL school gave you a license.

 

Firstly I’ll say the job market is horrible right now. It is also forecast to get worse over the next year. It is not a great time to picky as a driver with no experience.

I’m new, just got my license 2 weeks ago. I’ve been doing a ton of research. To me, my understanding, the difference between Van and FB really is that vans are slightly easier to drive in the beginning. Also Van has 24/7 schedule where FB has a mostly day time schedule.

The opportunity to make a little bit more money faster seems to be in FB. I don’t want to work nights, that’s my number one reason for choosing FB personally. Also, I don’t mind getting out in the rain and wind to strap loads.

Out of all my research, the first company I would recommend is ROEHL. They turned me down, but I didn’t get my CDL thru them. I am seeing ads all over for their GYCDL. They seem to have the best training for new drivers and seem to be very safety focused.

I also wouldn’t worry about getting stuck with the debt from school. If you’re a good worker and have the right attitude you should have nothing to worry about. Just realize once you start, you owe them about a year of work. That’s the trade.

 

He is in a tanker now. He was doing groceries in a van before this job.

 

I quit , I want my mommy , ha ha ha ha ha

 

I thought I’d provide an update about Holland. I’ve now been here for 5 months. Everything is going well.

my experience has been very positive. Again, this is my experience at Holland. I’m not trying to discredit anyone else’s experience.

My average length of haul is around 1475 miles. I have been running shorter loads here and there only because I’ve had several VA appointments to make so dispatch couldn’t really send me too far. Again that was only because of VA medical appointments, and even then, most loads were 1K with empty miles included.

I’ve never had ANY problem the 5 or 6 times I had to put in for detention. I simply put in the Samsara and it was approved. No questions asked. I’ve had to put in for layover twice, and again it was approved, no questions asked.

We do run recaps. If you want to do a reset on the road you would have to request it. It won’t be denied, but again, if you don’t request it, they will keep running you off your available hours. This works fine for me, but I know some drivers like to take a breather or simply get their full 70 back.

The customers we haul for are 98% frozen or in the 40-60 degree range. We don’t haul any meat or produce. I’ve only had to get a wash out twice in 5 months.

In addition, most customers we haul for we are in and out within 90min to 2hours. I’d say we use lumpers about 30% of the time. The other 70% being unloaded by the consignees own employees.

Again, they don’t micro manage, and don’t want to. They give you a load, and as long as you get to your pick ups and deliveries safely and on time you will not hear from them. If you run into any issues just communicate with them.

Lastly, the equipment is top notch. I’ve NEVER had one mechanical issue. Not with the tractor or reefer. They take care of their equipment really well. If you are at the terminal and have a service due or a mechanical issue, you get priority. They will immediately have you pull the tractor in the shop and get in done in a few hours. It’s also fair to mention that they are approved by Freightliner to perform warranty work if needed.

So, if you are solo driver and don’t mind being out a minimum of 3 weeks and enjoy running coast to coast then maybe look in to Holland.

Is it perfect at Holland? No, but I’ve never, not once experienced any kinda if personal disregard for safety or treated any different than anyone in the company.