Im outta the truck for about a year and an a half now, my Last job was local flatbed. Had 3 years dry Van OTR prior to that. I quit the local job because of slow frieght and low pay ($13.00 hr) which when I was getting 60 -70 hrs a week I could live with but was cut back to 50 hrs. I really want to get back into Trucking, Ultimatley a local job, with the understanding I will probably have to go OTR again to regain some expirience. I have applied to 49 companies, 5 said Im out of thier hiring area, 1 said with the economy the way it is, theres a lot of drivers with more recent expirience ahead of me (Heartland) I accept that. 1 said not enough recent OTR (Arnold) 2 wernt hiring presently, (EPPES and Cox) only 1 actually offered me a job, that was Paschall. After reading all the reviews, it seems my cause is lost. I have not applied to Swift, CRE or Prime, because of the reviews Ive read. I now am reading nothing but negative about Pashall. I have applied to most of the local Co.s and got the same results, No response. As with most of the big Co.s never heard back.. Called and left messages with about 16 of them, never got a call back. I hear frieght is slow from some, and from others, no lack of freight. I wonder then why these companies are taking apps. I do have 3 speeding tickets all of them in 07, the last one was 36 in a 25 but I was in a CMV (fought it and lost). bad year, prior to that nothing for 10 years, I have 1 Misdemeanor for drinking in public in 2006, (circumstances are irrelevent) . I have sent off for a copy of my DAC, not sure what could be on it, sent off 3 weeks ago, havent heard anything. The OTR Co. I worked for was a small (40+ trucking Co.) I ran 17 States. No accidents, I was a good driver, no claims, only missed my delivery appointments 2 times in 3 years. and the Local flatbed gig was a satelite warehouse of a compmany based out of Darlington, SC. No accidents always made scheduled stops. so Not sure if they reported to DAC or not. Thats the background. heres the question. Is it a combination of my lack of recent expirience and my driving record, or are things that slow? Tickets will start falling off in Feb. and all the Co's. I applied to say no more than 3 traffic violations in 3 years, I fit that criteria. I think that possibly they may have raised the bar since the economy bottomed out. and I hopefully will get more opportunities when things pick up. I am willing to go out with a trainer for refresher if req. but havent been offered anything worth checking into. Any thoughts?
I need to add, Im not unemployed, I am working, and making decent money, (to which most will say, I should stay) I agree, but if I could make more driving, my passion is being on the road. (not sitting in a truckstop) Had to make sure I posted all the info. Thanks for any advice, opinions.
Nuff said, you already know what to do............later. and I'd rather have a monkey up my as- then pull for ptl.......
Given the current state of the industry and your current employment status, I'd recommend you stay where you are BUT start getting your ducks in a row now for a trucking job in the future. Let the tickets drop off, look for a tech or driving school that offers refresher courses and continue to monitor the forum. When the industry makes a turnaround (and it will), you will be ready to pounce at an opportunity with the company of your choice rather than working anyone who will hire you.
Thanks to all, I know, sometimes the grass looks real better, They do know how to advertise. I think Ill take the advice and wait a year or 2, hopefully things will turnaround. If you ask 49 times and dont get a decent answer, I guess thats denial.
Yeah right now lots of places are closing, and they are looking for people who have "stability". In otherwords someone whos not going to say a word about being messed around on their job, with miles, or pay or whatever. I have been told that a few times. And I just got laid off last month. I am thinking if you left a job because of money, dont put that word for word on the applications. They apparently want someone who will do whatever, whenever, and not say a word. They got their pick of drivers now. BUT when it does turn around, see how many of em are calling you feeding the same B.S they probably would have 2 years ago to get you to go on with them. But until then, its slim pickins.
Seriously ike do yourself a favor stay where you are... At least you are making money..... Do not over exert yourself looking for what you can get ... I agree with tiresontar totally .... The trucking industry will turn again and soon they will be begging for experienced drivers like yourself just stay out of trouble until then .... Even with an perfect dac/usis report they"the big companies" are turning down applicants left and right. But the newbies keep marching in due to the government funding. They get 700 a week"tax free" that they train an newbie and they pay the newbie 400 "taxable" if they are lucky . The company wins all around. This practice will change once the government catches wind of their money being swindled by the big companies..... But back to the point just wait, watch, and listen it will get better!
You are right one company told me they were only taking trainees. I cant remember which one it was, its been a while back. My jaw dropped on that.
