Fears of a getting a bad trainer

Given both your military & civilian CDL-related experience....plus veteran status....if you later submitted a completed online application (that included a newly-minted class A CDL -- along with tanker & hazmat endorsements) to any of the starter carriers -- I think you could basically choose whichever of those for which you would most like to work.

Feel free to later prove me wrong....

-- L

 

It's a good goal. One I had 25 years ago but didn't follow through on until last year. I wish I had as it's one of the big regrets I have in this line of work. Keep your record clean and stay with whatever starter company you hire on with for 30 months and you'll meet their minimum requirements. You could job hop in that 30 months but your resume will suffer because of it and you won't improve your lot by doing it either. They're expanding and hiring everywhere and that wont change 30 months from now. The time will go by quickly. Schneider contracts with them at some DC's you'd get a feel for what the job entails which is the easiest trucking there is. It's even easier at Walmart because you won't be chasing miles or not getting paid for any excessive wait time.

 

You say no more youtube videos. That's actually what I was going to tell you. Don't read a lot of reviews on companies, don't spend too much time on social media, don't talk to any drivers that have a negative attitude towards the industry. Keep an open mind in everything you do, that way you'll form your own opinions on the industry. Then you'll find out if you're truly cut out for it all. I think you'll be fine though. Just remember, keep an open mind.and focus on learning and honing your skills. Each day is an opportunity to get better.

 

It won't too much. I work with drivers that had several jobs before this one. Still, I tend to think old school about this. If I was doing the hiring and had a stack of apps the ones with least job changes go to the top all else being about equal. They're just more reliable and its clear to see. Can't help but ask who you would consider changing jobs to at the 1 year mark? Seems like every new driver always has that 1 year goal then they're going to get the best job in the world somewhere else. That's not really how it works for most of them. Changing from one freight hauling outfit to another is a step sideways. Specializing is a way to step up but most don't do that. You lose time and income changing jobs. Money you'll never get back. And the end result wasn't worth it. You can see that here everyday guys complaining about companies and talking about how many jobs they've had.

 

Yes....as requested above.....pray tell....who IS this magical purveyor of freight, pay....& benefits....that is such an incredible step up in the trucking world after 6 months, max?

-- L

 

6 months? Yeah not a good look.

 

That’s actually worrying. Unless their training program is actually good.