Upgrading from school bus to Class A

Wow, thx Chinatown and 88 Alpha! I will check out WilsonLogistics and get an application in today.
I should have used one of many links in these posts but instead just did a web search for it. Thanks for setting me straight.
I did apply to XPO last night and got a reply from YRC to follow up on today. I think I have Wilson, Estes and Swift remaining on my initial list.

 

Yep, based on the recommendations here Old Dominion is my top pick and the first I applied to on Monday. Everything I read in their website indicates they are top notch in everything I am looking for. Hoping I can get into their Driver Training program. Five weeks paid while learning. In Portland even!

Thanks, China! I see you rooting out info for many of us newbies. Much appreciated. I expect you see the same questions many times over and over but for each of us it is a whole new world o figure out.

 

Well, I have sent out applications, cover letter and resume to:
Old Dominion
FedEx
YRC
ABF
XPO
Estes
Swift

I really wanted UPS but they have no related jobs at this time around here. I will keep watching for that.

Several others that were recommended were crossed off due to training being out of state and not willing to leave my wife alone for a month or two.

Swift is hammering my email . But none of the others have said a peep since I submitted earlier this week. I finally emailed ODFL this morning and still no response. I had hoped I would have feed back from at least 2-3 of them by now.

I just got a message the Class B tanker job at the quarry is still alive and they want to discuss. The start pay is great and lots of OT is optional. There has been advice on here to get Class school separate and independent from a freight outfit. I am thinking I will take the quarry job and since my retirement provides my living expenses, just save the quarry pay and go to truck school on the weekends. Set a goal to have my class A in 6 months and then see if I can transfer to dump truck or flatbed with the quarry. Otherwise look at my top LH/LTL carriers that don’t require much experience.

I got fingerprinted for TSA hazmat registration today. Have DMV appt next week to get my Class A permit with Dbls/Trpls and hazmat added to my tanker.
This will take the pressure off accepting the first carrier to offer a deal, like Swift and allow me to wait until I can get on with one of my top choices. And apply has a Class A holder not a trainee. I don’t like the idea so much of going through “free” instruction and then be beholden to the carrier and perhaps be faced with taking OTR or repay the loan and hit the bricks. And some say the private schools give better training, too.

This is where I am. still focused on the Class A but going for work as Class B, save up and get private truck school. Then get after the jobs with my top choice carriers.