So I passed school, got my CDL! But... Everybody wants 2+ yrs exp..

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by TruckerJoy, Nov 12, 2010.

  1. Pumpkin Oval Head

    Pumpkin Oval Head Road Train Member

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    Jun 24, 2010
    Scranton PA
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    I have been driving for two local companies since the day I graduated in May. About 25% of the driver jobs will not require any driving experience. I am pulling tankers for one part time job, and grain, fertilizer, flat bed with mini-bulk tanks with HazMat for an almost full time job with a local elevator. I run about 1,000 miles a week on average.

    I have learned a lot, and now understand why so many companies want you to have one year of experience....cause you are a better driver after one year.

    After one year of doing this, I should be able to move up to a full time local fuel delivery job or something similar.

    Best of luck to you.:biggrin_2558:
     
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  3. Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

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    Mar 30, 2006
    ova-hereee
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    to the original poster, you asked "chompi" what is OOIDA and he told you, but i would like to expand on this just a bit, OOIDA is NOT just for owner-operators, but for ALL truck drivers, heck i'd even suspect people working on the loading docks to be members as well.

    it's an "organization" in which we can go to and ask for help. they have lawyers that once you are a member, you can email them with questions, as i do frequently in fact. if a person were to someday decide to be an owner-operator of ANY type of truck, OOIDA has lists of companies, lawyers, etc that you can contact for help, many times at a "reduced" rate over what a non-member can pay for.

    it costs $45 per year to be a member, and we get discounts at various places too if we show our card.
     
  4. Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

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    ova-hereee
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    well i don't know about this......i WORKED at Lowe's and i can ASSURE YOU that when there wasn't enough business or home deliveries of wood, sheetrock, or wood stove pellets, my butt HAD to go home early.....EACH DAY...and this IS also a fact that i had to supplement the delivery of yet a second store.....!!

    and the bene's.......THEY SUCK........!!!

    maybe where YOU live, Lowe's and Home Depot are GREAT........i can whole heartedly tell you "up here".....THEY BLOW.......!!!

    it never ceased to amaze me how both companies can sponsor NASCAR at or about $60 MILLION DOLLARS a year.......

    yet send home people BEFORE they make 40 hours.....???????????????

    please don't tell ME about Lowes/Depot........
     
  5. JimTheHut

    JimTheHut Road Train Member

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    Sep 26, 2009
    Central Ohio-Go Bucks!
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    Maverick will take you with no experience as long as you meet their requirements.
    I am making .41 a mile after 6 months averaging over $1,000 a week.
    Not bad for a beginner....never drove before.
     
    Pumpkin Oval Head Thanks this.
  6. Ridgerunner40

    Ridgerunner40 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 30, 2007
    Hagerstown, MD
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    I think atitude has eveerything to do with wether or not you can succede in this business. I didnt drive for a long time but I heard a LOT of guys telling me how hard this job was and were always complaining about something that wasnt "fair".\ I kept my mouth shut, did my job, Only complained once(lack of miles). Next thing you know, I was runnin 3200-3500 miles a week and makin money. There a lot of good people out there with a lot of good advice but you wont find them on the forums crying about things. to this day I still miss the road and one day I will get back out there.
     
  7. TruckerJoy

    TruckerJoy Bobtail Member

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    Nov 12, 2010
    Fredericksburg, VA
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    Thanks to all who replied, I kinda knew what the general response would be: put my time in at a big corp to get my exp. Guess that is what I'm going to do.

    Just wish I could find a company that hauls otr dump trailers, as odd as that may sound. I know my dad used to make runs from VA to TX, but he was O/O, I'm a long ways away from having my own. I don't really care about home time, I have no wife or kids, hell I don't even have a home to go to. I just wanna drive.

    I'm going to try a few more local companies before I go with a mega corp, I do not want to go thru more school ########, or ride with a trainer for 6 weeks... I can drive and I know it, I don't need some ya hoo tellin me I can.
     
  8. Trashtrucker1265

    Trashtrucker1265 Road Train Member

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    Dec 14, 2009
    Inverness, Fl
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    I can almost guarantee you won't get in to a long dump as a student. The company I work for hauls long dump OTR and require 2 years experience. I ran in that division for a while, a frameless can be very sketchy and I think it would do u good to learn other aspects of driving and gradually work your way in to that type of work. You can get yoursefl hurt quick pulling a long dump if you don't know what you're doing.
     
    TruckerJoy Thanks this.
  9. TruckerJoy

    TruckerJoy Bobtail Member

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    Nov 12, 2010
    Fredericksburg, VA
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    That's what I keep getting from all the dump trailer companies I contact - 2 yrs minimum. Dump trailers is what my family has pulled for years, my grandfather used to own a small fleet, I want to so badly to follow in their footsteps. I will have a god #### dump trailer behind me before its all said and done... after I get some experience.

    Anyways, a lil update to my job search - I do not meet Squires hiring requirements! Hopefully, Stevens or CR England has some good news for me tomorrow. I've basically just been hitting every big company with an app and seeing what happens...
     
  10. Spacecoast

    Spacecoast Light Load Member

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    Nov 15, 2008
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    Did you check into Payne trucking? They are in your neck of the woods. I think they run the I-95 corridor..I think they have a dump division.
     
  11. sweatshirt

    sweatshirt Bobtail Member

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    Nov 15, 2010
    Williston, ND
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    I'm a new wannabe, trained for 3 weeks at Kellyville, did great but failed my driving test today because I couldn't nail the 90 that I've done all last week. Any one with similar experience and/or tips? I think nerves got the best of me.
     
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