Help a trucker wannabe out!

Don't worry, with the new FMSCA 2010 rules coming into effect.
Your pristine safety record will be attractive to many trucking companies.
Expect to start on the bottom and hopefully after 3 years or so you'll have found your niche. Give it a try, if driving doesnt work out, maybe a yard driver might
be a better chouce for more home time and an excellent way to improve your backing skills before going out and delivering locally in tight docks and rush hour traffic.
Yard driver make 15 hr and up.
Good luck.

 

Excellent questions, Chralb.
I'll try my best to answer them.
"Why is there never a suggestion of what company(s) WOULD be the better ones to go for"?
Hmmmmmmm ------

I don't think "never" is accurate. Replace "never" with seldom and I'll agree. But I understand what you're asking.

For me, upon graduation, I applied to exactly one truckin' company, Schneider, and was hired. After spending almost five years with Schneider I found another truckin' company with a better fit --- for ME. I applied there, and was hired. So in my entire truckin' career I turned in two applications. When I applied with Schneider the Not Hiring Drivers At This Time sign was displayed in the front window.
At the second company, I was informed that their minimum standard for hiring was AT LEAST five years experience, adding that the majority of their company drivers had ten or more years experience. Some of their I/C's (Independent Contractors) had twenty or more years experience. With fewer than five, I was a tad light in that department.

On both occasions it was a face to face conversation, which I much prefer. I know how to sell myself in person, but aside from very neat handwriting with accurate information, what more can be done on paper or over the internet? I'm convinced that if either ORG or you could apply in person to the better companies, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

As I've mentioned in a previous post, truckin' companies have hiring guideline rules that they CAN follow. Many such rules are for convenience when explaining rejections, ---
We're sorry, but the company rules specify _______ .
Otherwise your application looks good.
A convenient reply when an average or below average applicant asks why they didn't get hired.
But when an applicant with more on the ball applies, those guideline rules can be modified or ignored.
I recommend Schneider to those I think would be a good fit. Both ORG and you are in that category.
Some complain that Schneider is too picky. Some don't like that, and fault Schneider for that. I credit any company that's picky. When a company isn't easy to to get hired by, and you're driving for that company, what does that say about you?
Yeah, that's right.
Often, those who ridicule that company's drivers do so because they applied there and were rejected. Hard feelings, and probably a tad envious.

Another BIG reason why I'm reluctant to recommend companies, besides not really knowing exactly what a newBee prefers is that things in the companies hiring department have drastically changed recently due largely to the south bound economy.
When I first started out, the companies were crying about the driver shortage. If a driver quit a company on Monday, they could expect to be driving for another company on Wednesday. It only took that long because a driver needed a day to decide which company to go with.

Today, applications are stacked high, --- submitted by displaced workers who are DESPERATE to find ANYthing to pay the bills. Big truck truckin' doesn't necessarily appeal to them and they would never have considered driving Big trucks if not for the fact there are no jobs available doing what they've been doing, some for 20 or more years. But on an application, 20 years at the same company translates into a stable work history, and their application could be more attractive because of that, and placed on top of an experienced driver with three jobs in the last five or six years. Unstable work history?

Another thing to consider is a company's survival. Big trucks move freight. What do Big trucks do when freight dries up?
That's right, when the wheels ain't turnin' that Big truck ain't earnin'. How do they keep the company doors open?
Creativity.
Inventiveness.
Approach.
And even deceit.

Some of the larger training companies keep their doors open by changing their focus to training for profit. Considering that the government pays companies for helping the economy rebound by hiring new employees, training them and removing their names from the unemployed list, thereby making the jobless numbers appear to be improving. What the government doesn't do is to follow up in six months to a year to determine how many of those hired by the truckin' companies are still employed as Big truck truck drivers. The turnover rate is even higher than is was before, only now the training companies are using that to their advantage. Now, those companies NEED empty seats to be filled with fresh newBees. If they made it a nice place to work, drivers would remain there, --- the opposite of what the training companies want. The more trainees they can herd through their revolving door, the more profit there is to be made.

That's why we're stressing the importance of avoiding those training companies with a reputation for ruthlessly creating situations to force drivers to quit. If a driver won't budge, some companies will force the issue by cutting their miles. When a team operation reports an average of 1,500 miles a week, when they are capable of running 1,000 miles a DAY, spending most of their time sitting in truck stops where things tend to be more expensive, as the bills at home pile up, ----- see where I'm goin' with this?

Something to think about also is idle time on the Big engine. Companies are limiting the allowable idle time to save fuel/money.
It's summer time and you're sitting for days in Phoenix, for example. At night it's cooling down to around 90 degrees, but you aren't allowed to idle the engine for the air conditioner to cool the interior.
Showers can be free with the purchase of fuel. When sitting, unable to idle, no fuel is burned, ..... ergo, no need to buy more fuel. It's 118 degrees during the day and 90 degrees at night --- and no shower, unless YOU pay for one out of pocket.
Now, how much of a hurry are you in to take the first job offer from a company that does that?

To cover the company's collective buttox, they've been known to ding a driver's DAC to make it appear as though the driver screwed up Big time and the company had no choice other than termination of said employee. Abandoning equipment seems to be a popular excuse.
And another newBee is hired to replace the fired driver, and the freight gets moved by drivers who are paid less because they lack experience. Actually, there are companies who toss applications submitted by experienced drivers because they don't want to pay them the extra money.

Let's do the math,...................
If a newBee is paid five cents a mile less, and runs 100,000 miles a year, that's a cool $5,000 per newBee times however many newBees they have, which could be a hundred or more. That adds up to a half-million bucks a year in savings just by runnin''em in, chewin' 'em up and spittin' 'em out.
~~~ Next in line -- step this way and bend over.

Are you considering how many applications the companies are dealin' with?

Perhaps not giving any clue IS a clue?

This is why I tell folks that now is, at best, the worst time to attempt to get into the truckin' industry. Well seasoned drivers are reporting that they've never seen it this bad in the 25 to 35, or more, years that they've been driving.

That this play-by-play thread continues past graduation and into the job search phase makes it even more valuable and elevates it to absolutely must read status, for anyone interested in entering the truckin' industry.

 

I respect your opinion as a senior commanding officer in this forum and somewhat agree with you in general regarding the "worst time", but I rolled the dice on school, I am in Houston Texas where the economy is a little better. Here, I have a fighting chance with the hand I'm dealt.

My grandfather entered trucking when it was at a "worst time" in the mid 60's. My dad's trucking orgins was at the "worst" time in the late 70's. I myself had kids at the "worst time" during the recession of the early 90's.

So, yes there are "worst times", but those times are exactly the reason why you get in.

Instead of looking in general terms at a "worst time", I will look at trucking companies that have better marketing, business models, good driver reputations, plans for growth, etc. I will ask pointed and detailed questions. The key is separating fact from fiction, catching, identifying and applying at those companies that are either operating in the black, solid or on the way up in market share.....I want to be a part of that team since those are the ones that know how to combat the "worst time", especially in this, the Obama economy. Hope you understand.

 

Are you kiddin'?
You were denied by Werner?
HaiL, ORG, that's a complement.

I suspect Werner is trolling for run of the mill applicants that aren't the brightest bulbs on the billboard. Applicants of your caliber probably scare them. If I were you, I'd be tempted to have T-shirts printed up that read:
I'm Proud To Be A
Werner Reject

I'd be absolutely sure you have a job secured before jumping. Turning in applications while still employed with a company should impress the company you apply with that you aren't prone to just up and walk out with no warning. Be sure to mention that you intend to give a 2-week notice at your present company, --- not just leave 'em hangin'.

And don't bad mouth the company you intend to leave. If asked by a company that you've applied to why you're leaving the current company, side-step the question by flowering the company that you're more interested in.

Interviewer: So, tell me Mr. ORGuy, why are you leaving BS Is Us Trucking?
Well, sir, I think I've reached the point where I need to move up to a better company. Now that I have enough experience to be a benefit to this company, I feel the time is right to make the move to the company that I really want to drive for.

Makes sense to me.
Why so many wannaBees apply with companies that they intend to leave in a year to find something better puzzles me. Seems you and I think alike on that. By remaining with one company where you're happy will elevate you up the pay scale while keeping your eyes, ears and mind open for other possibilities. Besides that, it takes at least a year to fully learn the ins and outs of how a particular company operates. Once that's learned, you can 'work' their system to your advantage.

You don't "have" to go with anybody. It would be a choice. If you had to choose betwixt a known rotten truckin' outfit with low pay and a bad reputation, or go back to what you did before trucker training, .......... which would you pick?

If makin' bacon to support the family is a priority, consider that there are bottom-feeder truckin' companies that don't pay enough to do that.

When you first started posting here you were anxious to get the ball rolling ASAP. and that's what you did. Looking back, knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently?

 

I am a "senior", no doubt about that, Max. But a "commanding officer in this forum"?
Hmmmmmmm -----
I don't think that uniform fits me. I'm quite content with being a contributing member of TTR who considers it a privilege to be included in a group of fine folks who are eager to help others in whatever way we can. It's a group effort.
As the owner of this website has said, The Trucker's Report is what it is because of the members who make it that way. That's a complement.

As for respecting my opinion(s) because of a title that you've bestowed upon me, I hope you respect any and everyone's opinion. You aren't expected to agree with every opinion expressed here, or anywhere for that matter. And IMO, there's nothing wrong with disagreeing. Actually, I appreciate differing opinions. I compare differing opinions with my own and come away either more satisfied with my opinion, or, when new information that I wasn't aware of is presented, I re-evaluate my opinion to determine if I need to change my opinion.
My ultimate goal is the truth of the matter.
Nothing else really matters.

Bet conservatively.

If it's your contention that those "worst times" are comparable to what this Country, as well as the rest of the world, is experiencing now, I would respectfully disagree. It also appears that this recession is going to take longer to recover from than those that you've mentioned.

What I understand is how some of the companies are combating the current worst times in ways that don't benefit their drivers. Some companies are combating in a panic mode, fighting to stay afloat with one hand while bailing water out of a lifeboat riddled with gaping holes with the other hand. They're lucky if the right hand knows what the left hand is doing from one day to the next.

 

That probably depends on whether you leave on good terms or not so good terms. If you're a driver that the company would prefer to keep, and you inform them that you prefer to go, it could ruffle some feathers enough to cause a mean-spirited person to want to get even.

If they would prefer that you leave, but you prefer to remain, it's possible they could fabricate a story and feed it to DAC after firing you. It'll have to be a doozie though, to validate their version of the need to fire you. A simple request to turn your truck in at a repair facility instead of the company yard could be a set-up to declare that you abandoned their equipment. There'd be no record of you turning it in at the yard, and any reference to where you were instructed to turn it in could conveniently be lost.
If you contest the blemished DAC, it could take too long to save your career.

Patience is a virtue.
Don't be too hasty making decisions.
If you've given it enough time, and no other offers top Swift, then it is what it is.
Any company that's really interested in retaining their drivers should be fine. It's the one's that depend on a high turnover rate to make bank you should be most concerned with.

That makes sense to me, amigo.

There sure is a lot at stake.
I think going with the wrong company, --- even for the right reason(s) could turn out to be worse than not getting a job. You can wait a tad longer for the right gig to come along, even if a refresher course is necessary. But if the wrong company dings your DAC badly, you could find that your driving career has reached a dead-end with no place to turn around and backing up could take years

I'm readin' that last sentence differently that it appears. I'm adding the word not betwixt "I'm" and "trying". Rest assured, I believe you are trying.
Actually, truth be known, I think that you're putting forth more effort than most folks do. I also think that you'll be rewarded for your efforts.

There's a possibility that that's your hang-up. The advice that's given to the average wannaBee might not be applicable to you. You need to realize that you are not the average wannaBee. I don't say that to belittle others, or to swell your head, I'm just stating my belief. In fact, I think the average wannaBee would benefit greatly from reading your play-by-play accounting of your personal experiences and your thoughts along the way.

I don't say what I'm about to say to brag or appear to be special, but over the ten, or so, years that I've been involved with truckin' related websites, I've developed a knack for recognizing wannaBees with the potential to excel. There have only been a hand full, but when I get the feeling that I have now, I haven't been wrong, ......... yet. I can't explain it, and I'm not sure I even understand how or why that is. It just is, and all I can do is accept that it is what it is. What I can't seem to do is ignore it.

Keep on keepin' on, ........ or give up. However, I'm finding it difficult trying to imagine you giving up.

Whereas I agree that being turned down by Werner IS "cool", I doubt that it was due to what you think it was. I think they turned you down because you're a thinker. I don't think Werner wants thinkers. Thinkers give them a headache.

You need to realize that some companies aren't interested in hiring experienced drivers. Some prefer lower paid inexperienced drivers to keep their costs down and profits up. It's not like it was before the economy tanked. Some of these companies are treading water and gasping for air as they try to keep their head above water.

Well, ShuX!
I was gonna ask you, but you went and answered me before I had a chance to ask.

Hope is good, ---- prayer is better.
I'm praying.
How 'bout you?

Did the devil make you say that? :smt108
Man-0-Man! :smt107 :smt103
I agree with the devil? :smt077 :smt087
Holy Molie.

 

You are quite correct sir! "Never" was at best, the wrong term to use My humble apologies.

Oh how I wish it was "then" and not now. I'm really glad it went so well for you and I pray others (at least a couple out there) find similar results. OK, I'll be a tad greedy here and include myself in that "couple out there"...LOL

I also wish I could get a "face to face" with these folks. In my 30 years as a self employed contractor, every customer I dealt with was face to face and many may not believe this but, out of countless thousands of jobs both big and small, I was able to sell myself to all but a few. Oh they wanted "me" to do the job alright, but in most cases, for less than the material costs. I'm a very charitable guy and have many times done the job for almost no labor costs (struggling families that really touched my heart), but.....LOL

My problem there is, I am quite literally stuck in a basement with no way around. I sold my work truck to pay for CDL school, today the insurance company for my bike will "try" to get an automatic payment from my account that doesn't have it. Not that it matters much as I'm also 2 payments behind on that bike and suspect I won't have it much longer anyway nor can I afford any gas for it. Please understand that I'm honestly NOT crying in my soup here but it's just the way things are. And quite honestly, it feels good to talk about it. But the truth is, I am 100% broke, no income source at all and so very deep in the hole things will crash fast now. Ask ORG what I said the first day of school. "If I don't get hired RIGHT out of school, I'm in DEEP Do Do".

Man I only wish I could go back to what I both love and know so well. If I could, I'd be swinging from the rafters smiling as I always did. I've always been a fighter but then, I always had at least ONE weapon to fight with. As of now, I have no weapon (other then this CDL and my integrity) and I'm standing naked in the battlefield with the hoards moving in for the slaughter. (sorry to any ladies for that visual)....lol

Thank you for that sir and I hope you're right. But if not, I sure hope we'll find at least one of those companies that will "bend and/or ignore" those guidlines.

As I'm rapidly finding out. I understand your reluctance but all ths newbie wants is ONE shot at proving myself. I'll take it from there. The truth is, if I had one wish, I'd wish that an experienced trucker could put a word in for me that would give me that shot.

I have both heard of this and seen it first hand when I was OTR with my friend for that month during which time I had the privlage to speak with many drivers.

Ah yes, being stuck between the carrier and DOT, a trucker's life is a delicate balance of pleasing both, trying to make a living and not killing themselves or anybody else in the process.

Yep, been there done that. We almost never idled the truck when stopped. The company she drove for had a 25% idle rule. We never came close to that. There was more than one occasion where 5 days without a shower was just the way it was. Lord knows it's not fun but I can deal with that. But a jug of water, a towel and baby wipes kept it at least somewhat civilized...LOL

Beardstown IL was a really intersting one. While waiting 21 hours for a load of pork from the plant, it was 98 or so at daytime and no leass that 80 ay night. The air was so thick with humidity you could cut it with a knife. For anyone who's ever been to a slaughter house plant, opening the windows was NOT a pleasant thing either....LOL

You betcha! In fact, I make a point of praising them for what they must be dealing with and THANKING them for taking the time with mine.

If nothing else, it my sincere wish this helps a few out there.

 

Aftershock, I just did a long reply (hope I did the quoting right) but it seems that just about EVERY post I do is being grabbed by the system to be looked at. So, it "should" show up eventually...LOL

EDIT: OK, this REALLY frustrating. Other than this one, not a single post I've made today has showed up yet. This "automatic screening system" must be on steroids today! LOL

 

Well, I hope they do show up. They were long and heartfelt and even if I were a good, fast typist, I can't take the time to retype them. (Old construction fingers don't type so well anyway....LOL)

Thank you for the note though.