Students, New CDL A Drivers... ASK These questions! Do your research!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ABRO Transport, Feb 28, 2018.

  1. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    To the OP......FYI, I've "attended" boo-coo orientations over the years and everyone of them re-evaluates new-hires when they arrive at the truck co. location. So, even tho you've been "pre-hired" and look good on paper, you still have some hurdles to overcome once you get there. You may get there and you are missing some paperwork, or, you may fail the wee-wee test or the physical. Or it might be discovered you fudged on your previous employers etc.

    And then there's the road test. If you are a lousy student, you could get sent home ! I've seen it happen. I've seen a guy with tattoos all over get sent home, because looks bad for co. representation. I've seen guys get sent home because they stink to high heavens. I've seen guys get sent home because they keep falling asleep in class ! I've seen guys get sent home because they obviously aren't going to be a good fit in this biz. Don't put too much stock into your questions. Good luck
     
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  2. Dan.S

    Dan.S Light Load Member

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    You would be better served by looking into any number of other companies, than the one that you are focusing on, in my opinion. You can look through a very narrow lense, and miss the bigger picture, which seems to be the path you’re following.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2018
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  3. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Road Train Member

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    I knew it.

    You should not because it is clear from your research questions and metheod you don't have a clue what decisions to weigh.

    Lets go with your analogy. Going with that analogy, you know nothing about driving a truck for a living so for purposes of the analogy we assume your dead stupid about cars, never rode in one, never owned one, never driven one before. That is most likely not the case but we are going with your analogy.

    Your saying by presenting a easy pay used car dealer with a questionnaire, you should arrive a well researched decision for a car and matching long term car loan.

    Well as you decide between the Daewoo Lanos, Pontiac Aztec, Yugo, and the sweet diesel Olds 98 (not the 350 diesel, your questionnaire reveled those have problems, were talking the 260), I will just say, in keeping with your analogy and research, you remind me of this:



    I would suggest talking to a used car dealer about cars is not research.

    Talking to a mega recruiter is not research either. It is BS.
     
  4. ABRO Transport

    ABRO Transport Light Load Member

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    I wouldn't say that i'm focusing on a particular company due to the many that I've talked with and researched in several areas.. LTL, Mega, Small to mid size, construction etc. I'm open to each but looking to narrow them down to a final decision.
     
  5. ABRO Transport

    ABRO Transport Light Load Member

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    I understand that and the meaning behind "Conditional Offer" I myself have no concerns with any that you listed. The questions are not the only thing that is in consideration here. As I stated in the original post:

    • I go through the companies entire site, every page.
    • I then search you tube for vloggers and anything related to that company and watch them.
    • I then search FB for drivers of that company and reach out to them. I'll send them something like:

    Hi Fred I'm looking into joining ABC Trucking. I'm reaching out to current drivers to get their opinions (Good/Bad) I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts if you have the time.

    • Then I come here and 1 other forum and research posts related to said company.
    • Then I'll fill out the full Application, call the recruiter and ask them if they have about 30 minutes because i am currently researching companies trying to decide which one I'd like to work with for the long haul.
    Is it the perfect way to come to a conclusion? No, definitely not but it's at least a step in the right direction that most do not have or are not sure how to start.
     
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  6. ABRO Transport

    ABRO Transport Light Load Member

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    I don't have a clue on the questions to ask that concern me and what i'm looking for?

    I would have to say that you either forgot or you didn't read my post. The questions are not the only method used to research a particular company. If you were to go back and red it then use the house buying or car buying analogy it would make more sense to not only us trying to decipher your response but maybe to you as well. Reading your response to that analogy several times I'm left feeling like this:



    When one buys a car or house. One does not just talk to a car dealer and go with their thoughts. Just as one would not just ask a recruiter questions and go with their response.


    As I stated in the original post:

    • I go through the companies entire site, every page.
    • I then search you tube for vloggers and anything related to that company and watch them.
    • I then search FB for drivers of that company and reach out to them. I'll send them something like:

    Hi Fred I'm looking into joining ABC Trucking. I'm reaching out to current drivers to get their opinions (Good/Bad) I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts if you have the time.

    • Then I come here and 1 other forum and research posts related to said company.
    • Then I'll fill out the full Application, call the recruiter and ask them if they have about 30 minutes because i am currently researching companies trying to decide which one I'd like to work with for the long haul.
    Is it the perfect way to come to a conclusion? No, definitely not but it's at least a step in the right direction that most do not have or are not sure how to start.

    If I were to compare 3 cars: Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata and a Honda Civic. I would Search for everything I could online for each one, I would talk to owners of these type of cars, I would then talk with a salesman. I would probably also have a spreadsheet with the information on each car so I could compare them before I made an educated decision on which one to buy.

    I'm sure that not only myself but others that come across this thread would love to hear how you think newbies should approach this industry when it comes to choosing a company to work with.