I apologize for the length in advance, and I hope this hasn't been asked a million times already! How hard is it to get in to one of the better company sponsored CDL programs? I've sent out a few applications online this past week, probably 4 or 6. I don't have my CDL and I think the best way for me to get my foot in the door would be a company sponsored CDL program. I submitted an application to CR England because I saw their add and liked that they only have a six month commitment, but I just went through a bankruptcy, and I don't think a lease-operator deal is a good idea for me (the credit is irrelevant- I don't think I've liked anything I've heard about them). I'd really like to get in somewhere like Roehl (which is only about 30 minutes from my house) or Millis, Prime or Central Refrigerated. Well, mabye not Central Ref. I've not seen much good about them, but I ALWAYS see their trucks at McCains Foods, which is on my way to work. Both CR and Prime must haul lots for them. I thought that might make it easier for me to get hometime. I'm a Logistics Lead (basically the first level of management), but unlike the others in the company, I'm in charge of 6 guys at two plants, located at opposite ends of town, plus a CDL driver, so I have to drive back and forth in the straight truck picking up ingredients and packaging so we don't run out. I started here about a year ago as a temporary hire, then I was hired on full, and a week later I was promoted to this position. I actually took another promotion, but after a month I decided to go back to my previous job because I didn't want to be at a desk all day. I do a really good job, and I'm an extremely hard worker. All of the people I work with from other departments love me, though my own boss doesn't any more. My job history has a year gap from about 2-2009 to 2-2010 because when my wife graduated she got a job in Minneapolis that paid much better than I was being paid, so we moved. That was about the time the jobs market really went to hell, of course, and I wasn't able to find another one for a year. I have two tickets on my record, one for speeding (11-15 Over - it was exactly 11, I'm sure, from 06-2009) and another for operating after suspension which I got because I forgot to pay a parking ticket. We had moved and the notices were sent to my previous address and I never got them. I guess that's why they have mail forwarding! I paid the ticket and the new fine and reactivated my license the next day. This was from 2-2010. I have never been in a reported accident. When I was 16, shortly after I got my license I was hit by a drunk driver on my way home from school in the middle of the afternoon. It didn't cause much damage, and I was too stupid to recognize him as intoxicated, so I never reported it. That was 11 years ago already, even. I have no criminal record, never been charged with anything except for a trapping violation, but that's a rule violation, not something they ask about. I have only limited experience with a tractor-trailer, a White GMC 8 speed. I've been driving it for about two months now, just moving trailers around company property. It's a piece of crap, though. It has a hydraulic fifth wheel, which is nice in a yard horse, but it bleeds out, so you constantly have to watch and make sure the landing gear don't hit. They want me to leave them down when I move a trailer, but I never do. I just raise them up and don't bother to use the lift. Worse, though, automatic pin release doesn't want to open. It'll take me thirty minutes to disconnect from a trailer! Bleed the airbags out to lower it, turn the PTO on, move into gear, push the button in, slowly let out the clutch. Repeat and repeat and repeat. I am getting good practice backing up though. Never got above fourth gear though, so I'm still not sure how that Hi-Low selector thing works... lol Should I have a hard time getting in somewhere like Roehl? I'm surprised I haven't heard back from them, they were the first people I applied to I think. I guess in order of my interest I'd go Millis > Roehl > Prime > Central > Everyone Else > CRE Suggestions for places to apply to besides these? Aside from central, I've applied with all of these already. CRE said I could start the 18th or the 25th, but kids birthdays and my anniversary are in that time range, and I really don't want to jump in with any of these just because they got back to me first. How fast after putting an app in should I expect to hear back and accepting that I'm not going to get in with them? Would it maybe be worth being trained by CRE for those six months and then leaving for someone better? Anyway, thanks, I really appreciate your feedback.
The MVR violations may be a problem. So long as you've applied to Roehl, Schneider, Knight/Squire, Marten, and a few others and was up front about your violations ... if neither then make you an offer, then I don't know what to tell you and it will more than likely be the same story with the others. But, if ONE offers to bring you on, then chances are others will too. just make sure when you're talking with them that they specifically mention they have accepted your MVR "as is" before they transport you in, then have someone review your MVR, then let you go to find your way back home, unpaid.
I was seriously thinking about CRE till I did some reading.. and IMO there ain't no way I would chance starting there.. just 1 mans opinion..
Yeah. I did contact my recruiter there today about the moving violations, and he said I'm fine with those. Nonetheless, I'm making about 15 an hour right now and I'm really nervous about leaving my current job to go to cre. If I was sure I wouldn't get sent home because I wouldn't take their lease operator deal, I'd probably do it just to get my license and some experience. Ultimately I'd like to give OTR a year, see if I like it, and if not try to find more local work. Cranberry marshes and frac sand companies are constantly looking for people to haul sand here, but I just don't have the license, and those guys aren't going to pay you to get it
Those tickets......... 1 drops off this month, and the suspension is 2 years ago. You won't have too many problems.
In Wisconsin they stay on for five years, so the speeding ticket will be there another two years, unfortunately. Many places don't ask beyond three years, though. Unless I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure I'm not (this is one of the rare times I'd like to be wrong though!). Still, I've listed both of them on my applications. Does Schneider do Co-Sponsored CDL training? I looked online, and it seems like they do, but i look at their website and I don't understand it exactly. I've put in applications with Knight/Squire, Marten and Schneider today. So that means I've applied with Roehl, Millis, Knight/Squire, CRE, Marten, Schneider, and I'll probably finish my app with CRST today. CRE and CRST sound awful though. Are there any others you'd add to that list? I'll apply anywhere and everywhere and see who bites! Does my work experience in logistics help me at all? Or the 2 months learning to drive our yard horse? That's been more or less self-taught. Our CDL driver showed me how to hook up and disconnect (though this POS automatic pin release refuses to disconnect if the ground isn't pristinely level!) and extremely basic safety, and I've been more or less on my own- putting into the dock makes me nervous, but I've been able to do it relatively straight so far! Thanks for your help guys!
