Which application method is used the most?

I would find out all I could about the companies you are interested in before making any decisions and filling out applications. Maybe do some "out of the box" thinking and get away from the same 5 companies that everyone is told to go to by these recruiters that show up at their school. The ones advertising are the ones with the highest turnover rates! There are over 450,000 trucking companies out there. You live in JAX! Best city in FL to be a trucker. You could even get your twix! Just in Fl alone is Windy Hill, Armellini, Crete, Schaffer, Honey, DTL, Peninsula, Oakley, lester, the list is endless. Make yourself a list as to what you want out of trucking. Get on the internet and start checking all these websites. Just about everyone has their requirements and benefits. Just an example; my cousin went with Windy Hill, they are a smaller mom and pop outfit that don't treat you like a number. He got more miles than he could handle(because he was a good driver and picked up the trade quickly) He didn't have them watching over him like these big companies. He talked to the owner at least once a day. He didn't have all kind of bullsh-t qualcomm "canns" that he had to do. They left him alone to do his job. With these big companies if there is a problem they are most likely just going to send you packing! If you have a problem at one of these mom and pop companies they have more vested in you and are going to be willing to help you out. Also, which do you think interests you most; reefer, dry van, flatbed. All have goods and bads. Some pay more than others. Hell, you might end up doing all three before its all said and done! I hope I didn't come across as a dic-! I just wanted to shed some light on this "you must work for the big five" theory. The ones you don't hear about on this forum are the ones the drivers don't want you to know about. I let the secret out. Now I must wear a disguise!

 

check craigs he has a list of jobs in your area............

 

I'd always do the online thing, then follow up with a phone call in a few days. Sometimes they'd call me within a matter of hours, those were the ones that I stayed clear of. Some people consider one of the companies I drove for as a bottom feeder. For them, they may have been, for me, they worked well for what I needed.
I've met some of those recruiters that loll around the schools. In a cheap plaid suit, they could be used car salesmen, oops, I mean salesperson.

 

I did the online thing and then immediately called them usually.

Funny thing is, i didn't do this to the company i work for now. I applied to Quality Carriers, but i kinda started feeling like they wouldnt hire me..LOL. i don't work for them but i work for an affiliated partner company, which they forwarded my app too....they are out of tampa, but they require a year of experience. You'll find that a lot.

When most companies give a requirement for experience, that is the dead bottom they will accept, period. Sometimes they'll give you a month or so leeway but it's usually their insurance company making the decisions for them on this.

Anyhow, a good trick that for whatever reason most people wont do these days, is grab a phonebook....look in the yellow pages for "trucking". mine has several sections, like "trucking - heavy haul". There's also "moving companies", if you're into that kinda thing, etc.

 

Everyone has given you good advise.

I'll give you an example...of both.

I called about my current job. The recruiter told me they were not hiring anyone who lived north of I-20.

So I went online (same day), and filed out an app on the company website. Got a call the next day, from another recruiter...same building/company.

"Where do you want to get on the bus at ?"

Never miss an opportunity, based on someone else's response to your query.

 

I used to have a lot of hassles finding trucking jobs where i live. I live in michigan just west of the I-94/I-196 junction. Many places wont hire anyone north of the indiana border, period. I'd always point out that i lived 20 miles from I-80 (if you look at a map, and realize that thats the biggest trucking route in the whole country.......you'll see im in a perfect place to be a trucker!)

Very annoying...

 

I do the hiring for a trucking company with 130 tractors, and understand your theory of calling back so quickly, but there may also be another reason for this. When anyone sends an online app, I receive an email, I generally check email immediately. If I see an applicant with a good solid work history, I want to talk to this driver ASAP. I can only assume that if you are applying for a job with my company, you are applying or have applied to other companies as well, and I don't want to let a good driver get away. This being said, maybe getting called immediately is a good thing.
P.S. My wife thinks I look dashing in plaid

 

I see your pointe. When ever I would submit on line, and got a call within an hour or so, it was usually from someone I'd definitely not be interested in. Do you send an email to the applicant as well? That is the way I prefer it.

Now on that plaid, I should have said tartan, but my ancestors would have rolled over in their graves!

 

I'm in the same boat here, guys. Recently sent in my online application and I'm still waiting for a phone call. Not sure if I should take the initiative to call the company back or simply keep waiting. Seems like there are mixed opinions on this here.

Any other advice?