Trying to get back in; interested in feedback!

Hi, everyone!

I've been a member of this message board (albeit a silent one) for about five years (with a different name too!). I did some research for a couple of years and went on to become an OTR driver for all of three months.

I went through Schneider's Academy and became a Western Regional driver with them (accident and incident free!); I ended up getting out after a family emergency demanded my attention at home.

Flash forward a couple of years to now. Now that I'm free to get back to what I love doing (driving) I'm having a hard time breaking back into the biz. It seems like every major carrier is trying to put me through their own academy, even though I have my license and a few endorsements (Hazmat, Doubles / Triples / Tanker). I wouldn't have any objection to that if they were free, or were in trade for a year-long contract with them, but I'm not willing to go into debt over it. Are there carriers who will send me out with a trainer as an inexperienced license holder? That would be ideal for me; all I need is a few weeks of refresher training.

I'm looking for some advice; I've submitted applications to several carriers so far and am not getting much back; though I am taking the current economic crisis into account. What can I do to up my game, so to speak? I've even applied to some of the 'less desirable' carriers, hoping to just get my foot in the door and build some driving time. I know that preferred minimum time in the seat is six months, but it doesn't hurt to keep trying!

Here's who I've applied to so far, as well as my application's status:

Werner Enterprises: NO-GO (told by a recruiter that my application was passed over for unknown reasons)

C.R. England: NO-GO (I'm unwilling to finance a second round of school / looking for solo driving opportunity)

Stevens Transport: NO-GO (I'm unwilling to finance a second round of school)

US Xpress: NO-GO (stated that I must have recently graduated from a 160 hour driving course)

Roehl Transport: NO-GO (not hiring out of this area, closest hiring area is Phoenix, AZ)

Swift: POSSIBLE (only hiring for hazmat team driving)

Schneider National: NO-GO (stated that because of lack of trucks, only those with recent six months driving experience are eligible for review)

KLLM Transport Services: NO-GO (currently not hiring out of California)

Melton Truck Lines: NO-GO (less than six months experience)

JB Hunt: NO-GO (stated that you need one year minimum)

Cheers!
C

 

Thanks! Hopefully any advice I get will benefit the other potential/ new / inexperienced drivers out there.

C

 

Someone out there has to have something to tell me!

C

 

Hahaha! I don't doubt that. I was surprised that US Xpress turned me down today. I just got back from faxing my KLLM release. Wonder what's next?

C

 

[EDITED: See post at top for updates!]

 

That's what the Fontana, CA hiring manager told me. Even after I told her I'm a former SNI driver based out of that terminal. I couldn't believe it either.. still don't.