Is There an Expiration Date for a fresh CDL?

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by insipidtoast, Feb 17, 2023.

  1. insipidtoast

    insipidtoast Heavy Load Member

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    Thank you. First response that answers the question I was asking.
    Although, Schneider isn't such a high bar for entry into the industry. I wonder if lots of other companies looked at the fact that you got your cdl in 2017 and then said, "No. It's been too long since you got your cdl."?

    Anyway, I was just asking, because some companies might let me train my wife, but not until I've been working with them solo for six months. The idea would be to get her cdl, then take her as my passenger for six months, and then start training.
     
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  3. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    Above, you said...."Schneider isn't such a high bar for entry into the industry"

    That may (or may not) be entirely true.

    I can vouch for this, however--once on board, staying on board with Schneider (as a beginning driver) wasn't/isn't easy.

    The average time in the industry for a new driver out on a trainer's truck is probably 3 weeks...or a little longer.

    Schneider had me out with a trainer for a mere 4 and a half days. o_O

    After that--Schneider brought me back into the office, tossed me a set of keys, assigned me the appropriate tractor, and said (basically)..."Go get 'em, Tiger".

    For a few weeks, I was running loads in Atlanta metro traffic. Shortly after that, I was running the metro northeastern US--and a good bit of that was in and around Jersey.

    For a driver with less than 6 months driving time--that's not exactly what one would call the shallow end of the pool.

    And since I had very little real time out with a trainer (and said trainer was certainly nothing to write home about)....during all of the above, I'm doing quite a bit more OJT than the average novice driver, with other starter carriers.

    The point of all the above?

    While Schneider may seem "easy" for some....looking at it from the outside, I would respectfully submit--life as a beginning driver with good 'ol "Big Orange" certainly isn't "Easy Street". :rolleyes:

    The takeaway for other would-be SNI novice drivers: Schneider probably won't waste any time feeding you to the sharks. :confused:

    Then it's "sink or swim"....:Yellow submarine:

    --Lual
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2023
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  4. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Admit it, you have no intent to ever drive again, just waste time about every imaginable topic? Have you ever asked one trucking company a question?
     
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  5. insipidtoast

    insipidtoast Heavy Load Member

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    Yes I do have the intent. Where there's a will there's a way. I need to do something different from what I'm doing now.
    Yes for the second question too. I asked Roehl if I could personally #####slap the CEO if they don't get me home on time.
    Next question.
    BTW, The last comment is a joke. But I have talked to a few companies as well as cdl schools.

    How about you? Back in the saddle yet?
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2023
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  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    I retired from trucking in late 2021 after 28 years, 48 states, and 3 million accident free miles. The last few years before retiring I spent running the Rockies and Pacific Northwest full-time. I never worked for a Mega and never believed what a recruiter told me.
     
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  7. insipidtoast

    insipidtoast Heavy Load Member

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    So what good are the "refresher" courses that cdl schools charge $2000 for?
     
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  8. The Crossword Trucker

    The Crossword Trucker Road Train Member

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    I would not do that if I were you , I dont think its going to tip the scales at all for any potential employer
     
  9. insipidtoast

    insipidtoast Heavy Load Member

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    Why did you choose to run only the Rockies and PNW?
    I don't know about those recruiters either. None of them ever seem to want to engage in an email dialogue for some reason.
     
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  10. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    I went out to the Pacific Northwest because in my previous 20+ years of driving I had been everywhere else hundreds of times. I had only been to the PNW a few times, I hope to retire up there someday, so I wanted to learn more about the area.
     
  11. The Crossword Trucker

    The Crossword Trucker Road Train Member

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    A year ago , having a CDL meant you were the belle of the ball and these recruiters would be falling all over each other to talk to
    So quickly things change.
    Now they are going to assume that if you wont talk on the phone, you are wasting their time and they have plenty of other drivers to talk to , especially ones with fresh experience that they dont have to send out with a trainer
     
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