Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Is it too early?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 94nole, Aug 14, 2009.

  1. Aug 14, 2009 #1
    94nole

    94nole Light Load Member

    231
    133
    Jul 28, 2007
    JAX, FL
    0
    Having fun reading posts here.

    First, for brevity, my question...is it too early to start applying to companies subject to my successful completion of the course and obtaining the CL A?

    I am a late bloomer all around. I have been kicking around a driving career for several years am now somewhat pissed that I put it off this long but the timing is now right where before it wasn't as much.

    Now, a little background on me. I am a college-overeducated guy just about to turn 49 years. After about 6½ years in a paper mill and 4 years in the Air Force, at age 30, I went to college and earned undergrad and graduate degrees in accounting. I am a CPA (since 1996). And I have hated it just about the whole time.

    I am a blue collar guy stuck in a white collar world...and I've endured this as long as I can.

    My baby just turned 16, is a Jr. in high school and a very well-mannered young man. I have no concerns about him turning to the dark side. He has a great support structure around him with good friends, church and a mom who would do anything for him.

    I just enrolled in the CDL course offered by our local community college...I don't get to start until Sept 28, 2009. Dang unemployment office is keeping the course packed.

    My driving record is squeaky clean...no drug or alcohol abuse (or use for that matter...my last drink was in 1986 (quit for religious reasons and have never gone back)...passed my DOT physical with flying colors...have great credit and need no benefits other than pay and maybe a 401(k) (wife works for the state of FL and has great benefits).

    She is totally supportive of my decision to go this direction. She is pretty much the independent type and just wants me to be happy in whatever I do.

    So, I am going to go for it. Can I start "recruiting" companies to hire me?

    Thanks everyone in advance. These forums are great and I really appreciate the candor that people use in making comments.
     
    94nole, Aug 14, 2009
    94nole, Aug 14, 2009
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Aug 14, 2009 #2
    Raezzor

    Raezzor Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

    1,412
    1,186
    Aug 1, 2009
    Columbus, OH
    0
    There are a decent number of companies that are hiring students right now. It may take you a little to get some bites, but you'll have a bit easier time of it right now than many of us with experience. Here's the kicker, though. The companies that will take you are, for the most part, the most hated companies in the industry. You will not make much your first year or so. You won't be treated too well. You won't be driving top notch equipment (although, it won't be as bad as some smaller companies have.) And you will have to follow some pretty strict rules. On top of that, you will be a number, and prolly won't get a lot of personal attention.

    But, that is what you have to do to break into the industry, at least on the OTR side. You may be able to find local work just starting out, but that is a long shot.

    So, you might want to contact Swift, Werner, JB Hunt, Schneider, Covenant to name a few. Do some reading on here, there are some others that hire out of school. The sooner you start, the sooner someone will hire you.
     
    Raezzor, Aug 14, 2009
    Raezzor, Aug 14, 2009
    #2
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.