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Starting my Career - Questions

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Dynamatrix, Sep 12, 2015.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Sep 12, 2015 #1
    Dynamatrix

    Dynamatrix Bobtail Member

    3
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    Sep 11, 2015
    0
    Hi guys, my name is Mike and I am pretty new to the trucking world. To give a little background:

    I worked for Halliburton Energy Services on a frac crew and during my time there, they paid for me to get my CDL. They had an outside school come in (Center for Transportation Safety) and run the class for their employees. It was a very quick crash course, in a little over 2 weeks I went from never driving a truck before to passing my driving test. I have a CDL Class A with Hazmat and Tanker endorsements. Following that we did 20 hours with a mentor driver and then another hour with a different mentor, after successfully completing that (which I did) we were released to drive company equipment by ourselves. A week later I was laid off. So as a result I have a fresh CDL A with nearly zero experience. Since being laid off I have been working as a sand pusher and hating my job. I talk to the sand can drivers coming in and out and they have convinced me that I want to go drive over the road for a while and get some experience. My problem is finding someone to hire with no experience. I have an orientation with D.M. Bowman next week but I've read a lot of posts on this forum complaining about them. Admittedly the thing that attracted me to them were the ads advertising that they hire with no experience and they have an $1100 a week guarantee once you're on your own. I need to make about $50K a year to be comfortable, I can afford to go a bit lower but not much.

    Anyone have suggestions of other places I can apply?

    I live in Pittsburgh, PA.
     
    Dynamatrix, Sep 12, 2015
    Dynamatrix, Sep 12, 2015
    #1
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  3. Sep 12, 2015 #2
    G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    if you read ALL the posts on ALL the companies, you will see many bad things being said.

    there is NO PERFECT company out there.

    Go to Bowman, and get it done and over with.

    best of luck.
     
    G.Anthony, Sep 12, 2015
    G.Anthony, Sep 12, 2015
    #2
    BostonTanker, Lonesome and HorseShoe Thank this.
  4. Sep 12, 2015 #3
    HorseShoe

    HorseShoe Road Train Member

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    Jun 29, 2015
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    I really like how they didn't put you with a trainer for 6months like those mega carriers do to abuse newbies for low team pay
     
    HorseShoe, Sep 12, 2015
    HorseShoe, Sep 12, 2015
    #3
  5. Sep 12, 2015 #4
    Dynamatrix

    Dynamatrix Bobtail Member

    3
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    Sep 11, 2015
    0
    It says I'll be with a trainer at Bowman for up to 6 weeks, that seems pretty quick compared to other companies.
     
    Dynamatrix, Sep 12, 2015
    Dynamatrix, Sep 12, 2015
    #4
  7. Sep 12, 2015 #5
    NewbiusErectus

    NewbiusErectus Medium Load Member

    586
    617
    Jun 27, 2012
    0
    Hey mike, you might want to check out giant eagle's website and navigate to the career area.

    I know the Ohio warehouse will hire someone with your exp. HQ is in Pittsburgh (as I'm sure you're aware), but I don't know what kind of logistics/distribution ops they have there.

    It's worth checking out,, about 45-55k first year on extra board, and only goes up from there,, guys that have been there a while are over 100k. Teamsters. You'll work holidays until you get seniority, but @Double time. And of course home every night.
     
    NewbiusErectus, Sep 12, 2015
    NewbiusErectus, Sep 12, 2015
    #5
  8. Sep 12, 2015 #6
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    75,752
    173,609
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    I agree, go with Bowman. It's real tricky these days finding companies to take someone without experience. While with Bowman, keep the endorsements current and add TWIC. Google for nearest TWIC office. After 6 months with Bowman, if you decide to move to another company, can go with a hazmat tanker company and increase your annual pay by thousands.
     
    Chinatown, Sep 12, 2015
    Chinatown, Sep 12, 2015
    #6
  9. Sep 12, 2015 #7
    TROOPER to TRUCKER

    TROOPER to TRUCKER Anything Is Possible

    7,675
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    Dec 15, 2014
    Charlotte, NC
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    Not tossing a Bone or Anything but Averitt's training is 6 weeks with no team training etc. Most companies extend training so the team trainer thing works out for the company in the long run since the truck never stops. You will notice your better companies have shorter training for the most part but not too short. I will advise to make sure up front the trainer is actually training and observing you and not sleeping while you drive at any time.
     
    TROOPER to TRUCKER, Sep 12, 2015
    TROOPER to TRUCKER, Sep 12, 2015
    #7
  10. Sep 12, 2015 #8
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
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    Do a year or so with Bowman, and look elsewhere.

    If local is your thing, since you already have the hazmat amd tanker endorsements, a doubles endorsement will be a piece of cake. LTL companies require all three.
     
    MACK E-6, Sep 12, 2015
    MACK E-6, Sep 12, 2015
    #8
  11. Sep 12, 2015 #9
    lots of character

    lots of character Road Train Member

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    Aug 12, 2015
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    ... My companies perfect.. No you can't come
     
    lots of character, Sep 12, 2015
    lots of character, Sep 12, 2015
    #9
  12. Sep 13, 2015 #10
    G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    Dec 10, 2014
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    then i'm taking all my toys home to play with myself....
     
    G.Anthony, Sep 13, 2015
    G.Anthony, Sep 13, 2015
    #10
    lots of character Thanks this.
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