Graduation in a week - still unsure of what direction to head in

Thanks Chinatown, I looked at them as you suggested - they aren’t hiring right now in my area. I’m keeping them on my watch list for future opps.

 

@Chinatown - I’ve contacted about 20 companies today, including the leads you sent me.

Especially promising is Averitt’s dock to driver program. They’re following up tomorrow.

I’m still hoping Sygma contacts me. I felt my application was well written and my customer service experience would be an asset.

The other two leading contenders (if I must go OTR I will, flatbed interests me, as I mentioned I want some exercise) are Melton (offered a start date for next week) and McElroy - they like me so far.

I’m going to hit the streets tomorrow and check out a few local intermodal and beer distributors, and one smaller food supplier locally - try to charm them.

I didn’t yet apply with Aspen - local waste management company (ran out of time today) but will tmrw. Stigma of being a trash man aside, I’m good with the pay. Waste Management is also local here but I’ve not read anything flattering about them on the forum.

If any of the companies I mention are less than desirable I’m all ears.

Wish me luck!

 

@Chinatown - you’re correct - I don’t want OTR but will if necessary to continue training. Melton and McElroy seemed the lesser of many evils of I do go that route.

I’ve spent the morning contacting local companies, down to grease trap and rendering trucks. I’m still positive and think I can find something local with enough persistence. Which I’ve plenty of.

Freymiller and Fastenal want experience. I’ve an email, app and call out to both UPS and Love’s.

West Side Transport was great to speak with.

@Mike2633 - seriously - yeah. The least of the worries was getting the license. This is way more intense than backing. Lol.

 

@Chinatown - West Side Transport approved me - I spoke with them today. Additionally McElroy and Melton have made offers.

So far, locally, Lazer Spot and the Amazon warehouse seem to be entry level positions I could qualify for as a hostler in training. But I don’t know if either will count much towards a future local driving job. I’m researching further. I went to CDL class w a group of people from Amazon and their top pay was around the $14.00 range.

I didn’t hear back from Averitt or Sygma today, but it’s early in the application process.

I’ll scope out Freymiller again right now. Thanks a bunch!

 

The range of training pay varies wildly with the OTR companies - from $300-750 a week. McElroy being the upper end.

I have savings to buffer me throughout the training period - but obviously better pay is, well, better.

In your experience does better training pay forecast better future pay? Or is it a gimmick? I’m really leery of everything I hear from recruiters so far, and this industry is completely foreign to me in terms of pay.

 

@Chinatown
Thanks again for your knowledge.

West Side Transport was on the lower end for training pay at @ $70.00 daily (I think I spend more than that daily, time to re-evaluate my spending!) Other than that they sound good, with the benefits, 401k, tuition reimbursement, paid travel, meals and lodging for classroom training. The beginning mileage pay at .38 per mile isn’t bad either.

Melton, Maverick and McElroy do offer higher training pay and cpm. Maverick and McElroy are offering weekly hometime.

However, your opinion of WST heavily influences my decision and I’m leaning in that direction for that reason right now if I do go OTR. Your high opinion them is weighty, being that you research companies like you do. I am concerned about their hometime as it’s less than the flatbed companies.

I put in an online app w Freymiller & should hear from them tmrw.

My situation doesn’t require me to be at home. I simply prefer being at home. I just bought the house in October and there’s things I’d like to do with it, incl unpacking dresses I’ll never wear and planting flowers I’ll never see. Lol.