Experience when doe's it start?

A week or two a month would count 100% if your friend didnt tell the company that bit.

Some bottom feeder companies dont count experience that isnt reported to dac.

 

I did not go the big company route. I went with small comapnies right out of school. They knew I had no experience, but I think what they judged me on was the interview and most of all, the road test.
The road tests I took for the companies was much more difficult than the road test to get my CDL. I think they wanted to know how I could handle the truck, maneuvering and shifting, backing , how I took direction, and if I was worth the time and effort to train.
I started runnig reefer and just recently began flatbedding. One ofthe things I have learned is that there is a difference, I don't just mean tarping and strapping verses drop and hook, it is a different approach, perhaps a different mentality. Which I think is also true for local driving verses OTR.
The company work for would rather hire someone with potential and no experience than someone with local driving experience. The reason, as I understand, is that with local it is hurry up and deliver, you are under a time crunch. He had hired a few drivers that had been local drivers and they racked up a few speeding tickets. So, he believes local drivers are used to being in a hurry and make bad OTR drivers. Our trucks are not governed which is nice, but, he really doesn't like speeding and especially if you get a ticket, so, you got to pay attention and not speed. He has been known to check on his trucks and drivers out on the road. He was in a rental car, when on of his drivers passed him. Anyway, I guess he followed him and caught up with him at the truck stop and it wasn't pretty. But, it is his company and his trucks.
Schoolig does not count as experience. I have kept a journal of every mile I have driven, what states, weather, difficult shipping yards, all or it. So, I can tell a prospective employer not just how many months of experience I have, but what I have experienced in those months.
I agree with NoTarps, everyone should not take anything for granted, and need to a plan and keep options open. That is why I am getting as much training and experience as I can now, reefer, flatbedding and whatever I can, so I have more to put on my resume.
Good Luck and Happy New Year to eveyone...

 

You may want to watch it there. Honesty is still a valuable asset. If you make it sound like you have had more experience than what you have had, and they give you a road test and think you should be better than that with the amount of experience you have had. You don't want them thinking you are a slow learner. Or, they find out the truth and know you are a liar, and now don't trust you.

 

I have no problem with being up front about my experience, or lack thereof.
My main concern is how the actual experience would be taken into account.
It sounds like the road test could possibly trump the lack of experience.

I plan on a gradual process so that I can get acclimated. I don't want to be a 'full-time' driver then find out the industry isn't for me. But I'd hate to be stuck in limbo with regards to the requirements of some companies.

 

There are companies that hire part time drivers... Usually you will be slip seating. I don't know a lot about that as I have always been interested in full time. I just remember one of the recruiters at school talking about it.

One thing I would suggest, that when possible, go in person to apply. That is what I did and I am sure it made a positive difference.