Recruiting questions

I’m a recent grad - just finally got my TSA clearance for my Hazmat- so all - in - all it’s been exactly 3 months since I began CDL school to finally getting my Hazmat put on my license ( already had Tank and Double/ Triple. Got my CDL 1 month ago, but had to wait another for the HME clearance.

Anyway, I have already interviewed for a few ( not many ) LTL / Home daily jobs. Namely Estes and XPO. Also a delivery driver job for PepsiCo. Yes they definitely pay by the hour and generally around $30 “ish” per hour to start. I know Pepsi is a union job as well. The thing with those jobs is, you’re not just driving, you’re expected to move a lot of freight / product yourself. Estes and XPO will expect you to work like 50% on their loading docks and likely overnight shifts to start.

Did I hear back from any of them? NOPE They either hired other people or just take a very long time in their hiring process. I was holding out for something like those, but I can’t wait any longer and must get some kind of gainful income.

So I’ll likely be doing what many beginners do by paying my due diligence and getting some experience with a Swift / Schneider type mega carrier for a few months at least

 

I was actually surprised with Schneider because they sent me an ( albeit ) “conditional” offer for the dedicated account they offered me without me even asked for it. Outlined pay, benefits, home time etc.

Nobody else has done that.

 

Some Dedicated accounts either require so many drivers to do them or, in some cases, working conditions on that account drive away experienced drivers. You need to make any company put you in contact with drivers doing the job you are considering BEFORE you accept that job.

Werner ALWAYS had dollar type store Dedicated jobs because any dollar type store is career suicide for new CDL drivers.

Dedicated can be great or awful, ask drivers doing it what money they make schedile they work, describe working conditions & labor expected, etc.