Passionate about driving & REFUSE to be enslaved via mega-carriers

That's some good advice right there. Go to a good CDL school that's 160 hrs. or longer and then to Superior Carriers. Start your career with a top of the line carrier.

 

insurance carriers are even more to blame then the megas
the company I drive for now his insurance requires 2 year experience

the OP would do well driving intermodal in Chicago
that would be exactly like looking for bombs in the road

so many big pile ups around his neighborhood Baghdad might be safer

 

I just remembered. When I was at the dmv in Hope, Arkansas, a trainer for Old Dominion was there with his trainee to get him his class A cdl, and his trainee was still enlisted in the military. I remember he had a military grade bag (digital camo). Someone asked him how he got to take it home, and he said he was still active basically (quote: "they don't let us take these home"). So maybe Old Dominion will give you a shot out the gate since you're a vet. If not, I bet they'll at least take you into a recruitment program if they have one.

Old Dominion may or may not be a mega carrier per say, but they're top tier. You should definitely consider, especially if they'll take you.

 

Contact Ethos, he pulls SNI tankers, stand up kinda guy, he trains and he won't B.S. ya, pays pretty good for a rookie also. In all seriousness, I had at least same amount of big truck exp as you and I'm glad to have gained what I have so far, still learning more everyday. I had the same attitude as you when I got out only to be humbled tryin to find a spot to park in Jersey after dark.

 

Isn't OD a mega carrier?

They are a $2.2B revenue company which has as many trucks on the road as pumpkins are running on the road.

So I am a bit confused, if you are not going to run with a mega carrier and refuse to be taken advantage of, why pick one?

 

OD's bread and butter is not about how many drivers they can hire every week.

 

I know you aren't hearing what you hoped for, but it's the world we live in. I'm not saying that it's impossible to find what you are looking for, but none of us wanted to start off as a private when we joined the army. Can you imagine going to a recruiter and saying, I'll join if I can start as a sergeant.? You may find someone willing to take a hundred thousand dollar plus chance on, but it won't be easy. The thing I haven't seen suggested that I think is obvious is making arrangements to buy the truck from your friend. Run loads for him when he has them, broker when he doesn't.

Good luck on your endeavor.

PS. Bear in mind with od you most likely have to have doubles / triples and hazmat endorsements

 

You can find a good job if you're willing to work for it. Go back and research my past postings about looking for work. If that helps you great. If not you've only wasted a few minutes. You've got the military working for you so don't go along with the herd. About your driving abilities, the older experienced drivers with clean records have proven themselves when all you've got is your approach. Be careful how you go about learning. If you're lucky you'll find one of these experienced drivers that will take the time to teach you. Just double check the advise you get until you know you've got a great trainer. The trainer can make you or break you. No one can tell you what company is best for you. You find a company that fits your needs. As far as the mega fleets go sometimes they fit a drivers goals and he or she goes on from there. Anyway you look at it getting experience is what you need from the first company. You're there to trade your service so they will give you the experience. Anytime you see a company make sure they have good driver trainers. A driver that has less than 5 years driving is not a good trainer in my book. Try to keep all the information you get on a laptop along with all the other stuff you'll need OTR.