Have class "A" no one will hire me!!

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by Banner21, Jul 14, 2008.

Page 2 of 3
  1. Banner21

    Banner21 Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2008
    Messages:
    20
    Thanks Received:
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver WA
    0
    To Brickman I just was talking to Watkins/Sheppard not more than two minutes ago. What the lady told me was that I would have to either go to a school they approve of or go through they're school at $ 4,000. Then after that I would go through they're 10 day advanced training. She explained that I could get out on the road by myself sooner if I did it that way with them, rather than with another co. because I would be with a trainer for a few weeks. She said that they would reimburse me up to $3,600 if I were to stay on for 36 month with them.
     
    Banner21, Jul 14, 2008
    #11
  2. Banner21

    Banner21 Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2008
    Messages:
    20
    Thanks Received:
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver WA
    0
    Also thanks Brickman your always very helpful with my questions. Thank you very much!!
     
    Banner21, Jul 14, 2008
    #12
  3. pawpaw

    pawpaw Medium Load Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2008
    Messages:
    651
    Thanks Received:
    259
    Location:
    Milan, NM
    0
    Do you have any local schools or a college that offers a refresher? They may offer a reduced rate. I just did a four hour refresher at the school I got my CDL from at a reduced rate. Like others have said, insurance has alot to do with it. Good luck to you!
     
    pawpaw, Jul 14, 2008
    #13
  4. Wiseguywireless

    Wiseguywireless Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2007
    Messages:
    1,693
    Thanks Received:
    801
    Location:
    Petoskey, MI
    0
    I understand what you are going through, I have drove 7 months now doing class A recovery, 60,000 miles this year, I want to get on with this small co. driving coast to coast, but the Insurance says NO because they want 3 years experience. Makes it even harder for these small companies!
     
    Wiseguywireless, Jul 14, 2008
    #14
  5. Banner21

    Banner21 Bobtail Member

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2008
    Messages:
    20
    Thanks Received:
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver WA
    0
    To pawpaw, yes thats exactly what I was just doing was talking to ITTR truck school and they do have a refresher course (BUT) they wont give you a certificate that is of any use to trucking co.s. They wont except a refresher course. At least thats what they said anyway.
     
    Banner21, Jul 14, 2008
    #15
  6. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2006
    Messages:
    12,907
    Thanks Received:
    12,209
    Location:
    WY
    0



    Good grief they are cost happy. I didn't realize that they are that way too.

    A way for you to get to OTR would be to try and hire on with a local construction company. They'll probably start you out in dumps and then once you prove yourself you can move onto their semis. And then try to move on to a small local company that might not be as picky about recent OTR.

    I realize this would take a while to get to OTR.

    You also might try to apply with small local companies and see what happens right off the bat.

    Good luck. I don't envy you.

    I myself am some what limited on where I can go even tho I've got experience. I had a preventable less than a yr ago and companies don't want to hire me until that is 1 to 3 yrs old. That restriction seriously cuts down my choices.
     
    Brickman, Jul 14, 2008
    #16
  7. B-rad

    B-rad Light Load Member

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2007
    Messages:
    186
    Thanks Received:
    10
    Location:
    Eugene, OR
    0
    If you went with W/S they will finance the $4,000 for you through Transportation Alliance Bank. They would put you through their 30 day training program and then you would be out in your own truck. If you go to another approved school, then you would go through the W/S 10 day school and then be in your truck.
     
    B-rad, Jul 14, 2008
    #17
  8. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2008
    Messages:
    12,683
    Thanks Received:
    23,165
    Location:
    Wherever and Whenever...
    0
    Just like the owner of a construction company once told me.
    "Just because you have a class 'A' doesn't mean you'll get hired...show me your experience and then we'll talk"
     
    Working Class Patriot, Jul 14, 2008
    #18
  9. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2006
    Messages:
    12,907
    Thanks Received:
    12,209
    Location:
    WY
    0





    I applied for a belly dump yob that was that way. I put my name, address, and phone # on a slip of paper and then the truck boss took me out for a test drive.

    When we got back he told me to go ahead and fill out an app. He would call me in about a month when they got ready for the construction season. I had to have a yob right now and ended up getting hired by a real scum bag outfit before the month was up.

    If you didn't pass the test drive, you didn't bother with filling out an app, they just said "NEXT".
     
    Brickman, Jul 14, 2008
    #19
  10. pawpaw

    pawpaw Medium Load Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2008
    Messages:
    651
    Thanks Received:
    259
    Location:
    Milan, NM
    0
    That's too bad. I wasn't required to do a refresher, I just didn't want to look like an idiot on the road test in orientation. I didn't need a certificate and yet my school gave me one that they said most companies would accept. I guess everyone is different. Hopefully, you can get this worked out.
     
    pawpaw, Jul 14, 2008
    #20
Page 2 of 3