Newbie in Need of Advice

Newbie in Need of Advice

Brief Background:
Age - 22
Location - Charleston, SC.
Criminal Record & MVR - Perfectly clean.
Medical Card - 2 yr. Restriction free.
Permit - Restriction free.
Endorsements - T & X
TWIC
Passport – Mexico & Canada
Interest - OTR or Regional. Tanker, pulling hazmat. Double/Triples. Border crossing.

Additional:
Forklift License
First Aid CPR/AED Certified
Background in Chemistry

CDL road test is today. 4/24/17.

I’m in need of some advice. As mentioned, I would like to establish my career in the chemical transportation field. I have done my due diligence by thoroughly researching carriers; having submitted countless applications in the process. Which range from Mega carriers to local Mom n Pop shops. However, my age seems to be the top disqualifying factor. In addition, a few companies said I was just outside of their hiring area. Trimac being one. Currently, I'm debating between Prime and CTL. I have an orientation date scheduled with both companies next week. Obviously, I can only choose one to attend. As of now, I'm leaning more towards CTL for a few reasons. All regarding pay, miles and Hazmat experience. Is there anything about CTL that I should know? Is there anything about Prime that I'm overlooking? Moreover, is there any companies that I may have overlooked?

Just to add, I’m not concerned about home time. Don’t have any bills nor kids. I’m focused on pay, miles, and gaining experience & knowledge. Not opposed to oilfield.

 

@Chinatown @jfrazie7 Need some advice! Any & all advice is welcomed.

 

Did you try Superior-Carriers? They hire 21 yr. old drivers and run Canada.
Prime is food grade, not hazmat, so I'd go with CTL between those two.
Schneider Bulk is hazmat tankers and hires 21 yr. old drivers.

I used to deliver chemicals to Goose Creek. Ran 48 states & Canada and Goose Creek was just one of the regular customers.

 

I was turned off by Prime when I learned about their road training (with a mentor) lasting 3-4 months.

 

USER=70690]@Chinatown[/USER] I appreciate the response. Superior-Carriers is at the top of my list as of now. I'm currently waiting to hear back from them, If I don't I plan on reaching out on Wednesday. That's one of the reasons I'm leaning against Prime. Also, I spoke with a recruiter from Schneider and based off of the cpm to mile/week ratio that I was given it was too low. Less than Prime and CTL... Small world! Goose Creek isn't too far away from me.

 

That's another reason why I was leaning toward CTL. CTL's training the pay is the same as Prime ($100/day) but the training is only 4 weeks compared to Prime's 40,000 plus mile training.

 

@19d drives for Schneider Bulk; maybe he'll answer some questions. @Thull used to work there and can also inform you about pay. CPM is only a fraction of the pays tanker companies pay out.

 

Alot local beverage haulers hire newbs and start at 46k per year .You would be way better off getting your time in there as oppossed to any of these top carriers,ive seen them make grown military men cry,they all suck. but if you have to roehl looked ok. think there ride training is 2 weeks.andstart pay is 38cpm

 

Hello there, my long lost twin!

You seem to be an exact copy of me when it comes to age, location, plans, etc...

Have you checked out my thread about CTL?
https://www.thetruckersreport.com/t...ansportation-new-hire-experience-2016.319125/

My first choice was Superior when I started, but the terminal manager in North Charleston told me that my school (Miller Motte on Rivers ave.) was no where near their qualifications. The closest school they said that they can hire new grads from was in Greenville. I would still try to reach them to see if they changed their mind.

If I were you, I'd go with CTL if you want to haul tankers down the road.
Pulling tanks makes good money compared to everything else, and it wont break your back!

Prime does have a food grade tank division, but their trucks are slow af (ctl's aint much faster).

Another option is to check out Waggoners out of Ladson. They deliver Sprinter vans out of the Daimler plant. They might take a new hire if they're desperate.

 

If you go Schneider you spend a week OTR and with the trainer beside you the whole time (with nights stopped either at a truck stop or deliveree). They might bump it an extra week if they think you need it. That's the dilemma I'm having at the moment. Trying to find a good company that doesn't team train. I was fixing to go with Werner but many tell me not to. That I'd be team driving for 2-3 months (longer than Swift) and most likely the mentor will hit the hay once I'm in the driver's seat. Seeing as how I need more practice downshifting. I'd rather have a trainer beside me while driving. That's just me though.