Comments By Gabriel

Hello Ryan.

I have not checked/applied with the companies you listed. Thanks for sharing I will start to work on this. When I submitted the application through TT last year the companies that had recruiters reach out to me where: CRST, Wilson, Roehl, TMC, and Prime. Initially everyone but Wilson and CRST said no. The recruiter at Wilson thought he could get me a work history waiver because my background/driving record was clean but after a couple of weeks he got back to me and said his higher ups said no. Which left me with just CRST.

I thought I had reached out to CFI here local to me, but it's a school by the same name not the trucking company.

I will make a list with the companies you stated and get to work contacting them and applying. Thank you very much for the information greatly appreciated.

There are several companies that are not particularly picky when it comes to work history. You should be able to find another training company besides CRST willing to hire you.

Have you applied with the following companies?

CFI

Dutch Maid Logistics

PAM Transport

Witte Bros.

Dutch Maid Logistics and Witte Bros. operate their own trucking schools, while CFI and PAM Transport offer company-sponsored training at 3rd party providers.

Never said it would be easier sir. Just trying to find a way. I have spoken to a couple of local companies that told me they would not have issue with my lack of work history but they don't sponsor new hires I need to get the license on my own. It's driving dump trucks but better than nothing right ? Same with local public works jobs that require a cdl?

I did not like my experience with crst last year. At the last minute they changed the entire narrative on me. So far they have been the only company to give me the ok.

Like I said before I'm open to any paid training. Looking for a new career not just a job. For just a job there's plenty of local options.

I listed all the companies that told me no already and still looking.

So I guess to answer your question what would I do with a shiny new cdl if I went to school on my own? Go drive a dump truck or local flatbed while I create work history in the Industry. That's where my thinking is at anyhow. I could very well be incorrect. I'm trying. This is not an Industry familiar to me. I use to be a fireman and had been doing that for almost 10 years before becoming disabled. I was simply reviving an old thread to pick up where I was leaving off. I'm all ears. Not trying to argue with anyone and I most definitely do not have all of the answers.

On a side note picked up the study manual from the MVA again today and will be looking for a physican locally to do the physical. This is something that will need to be done regardless of which route I take.

All I can do for now is keep down the path and see what opportunities present themselves.

If someone besides CRST is good I'm all ears. And I even reached out to CRST again yesterday to see if things are different than what they were offering last year. Waiting to hear back.

Not sure what else to say ?

Right. So you attend and pass CDL training at a private school. After completing this, you will still show employment gaps, but you'll have a shiny new CDL permit with no experience. How does that make it easier to get hired? We most always recommend company sponsored training for this reason.

Because people are denying me due to my years of not working. Last time around only CRST was willing to take me on but I didn't like the "details" that kept surfacing the closer I got to my ship date to training. The narrative kept changing. Maybe it was just the recruiter I had etc. I am reaching out to Wilson again and trying to find my way through the BS of everything receuiters promise. I have no issue doing company sponsored training if I find the right opportunity. I will have an open mind and do just exoring all of the options. If my lack of work history keeps getting me declined then I will do it on my own and drive local for a bit to get verifiable on the road time. This is something I want to do but I may not have the same opportunities others do because of my past being disabled. It's not due to a lack of desire I assure you. Trying to make due woth the cards I am playing with. Roehl, Wilson, TMC, and a few others all told me no due to lack of work history despite me having proof of being on SSDI.

Why not attend company sponsored training where you will have a job offer at the successful completion of training? Sign a contract for 9 months to 14 months and the training is free. Time goes by quickly out here.

Alright so to update the thread. I heard back from one of the eldt approved schools in my area and was fortunate enough to come across someone helpful. The eldt is a new requirement to test for the license not for the clp. So I will be going to the MVA in the next day or so to pick up a study manual and will begin looking for a clinic to do a dot physical for me. This school has very affordable training and classes are one on one and then they take you and a truck to the mva to test when you have done your hours etc.

So the process begins again 😎

Perfect Thanks for the info. I will look through your log starting today when I have downtime at school. Much appreciate the feedback.

Is ABF still putting folks through training? It is my understanding they have a hub close to me in Baltimore.....?

Yes, ABF is still offering training. In fact, the Baltimore terminal is also a training terminal. It will all depend on if that terminal is hiring. You can find out if they are hiring and then fill out an application online at jobs.abf.com

The hiring process takes a bit, its not rushed by recruiters like the big OTR companies. It took 2 or so weeks before I heard anything and then got an interview with my terminal manager shortly after. Things moved pretty quick after interview.

I kept a daily log of my training experience over in the diary section. There’s more info there and it will give you a general idea of what to expect if you care to read through it

I guess I shall be more specific to clear any confusion here.

I fully understand that you need to have training to acquire a CDL-A license, and I am in no way trying to get around that.

In Maryland, where I live, in February of 2022 there was a change to the rules on getting a CLP. You now have to have ELDT (Entry Level Driver Training) before you can take the exams for your Learners permit. As we can all imagine, those not in the process of getting their CDL would not know this unless they worked at a training center. You cannot any longer in MD, just show up to take your written exam for your CLP without having this ELDT. I am still trying to get a hold of people who can explain to me what this is and what it entails and whether this is something that needs to be done online or in person or could be either. This ELDT was NOT a requirement when I got my CLP last year. The schools I have reached out to won't give me a direct answer for obvious reasons, they want you to enroll. The people at the MVA have no clue because well what do they have a clue about lol.

I was able to track down a "provider" registry list for my area a little while ago on the FMCSA website and will be going down the list until I get someone who returns an email or answers the phone. I will update the thread as I find information so if anyone coming behind me is facing the same situation in their state they have an idea of what is going on.

Thanks for your time and reply.

Is ABF still putting folks through training? It is my understanding they have a hub close to me in Baltimore.....?

As for the CLP, it is different now than it was last year. When I got it last year, I just showed up to my scheduled date at the MVA with my DOT physical card, and my ID documents they wanted to verify identity etc, and took my exams and left with my CLP. There was not a training requirement of any kind prior to February of this year when they instituted the change. This is the part that confuses me now. So you can't get a CLP in MD now without going to school?

Not too much has really changed, you should still be able to go and take all your permit tests except the hazmat. The entry level training requirement is a certificate verifying you completed the required minimum of 160 hrs training. A training course/test is now required to be completed prior to taking the Hazmat test at the DMV. Most schools and company training programs provide it, if not, there are some accredited ones online. Upon completion of the Hazmat course, your info will be submitted to the FMCSA and your state DMV which will allow you to take the test.

I did a 6 week training program with ABF Freight, we were given the Hazmat course and test week 4, I went to fIngerprint place then DMV for Hazmat test the following weekend. Didn’t road test with state until entire 6 week training was done

It's a CDL that requires an accredited training program, not a CLP. CLP is still the same where you show up, take the tests, and receive your CLP.

Just today catching up with this thread and trying to pick up where I left off. I will look into CFI. I have no issues obtaining clearances since my history is clean (criminal and driving) so this is why I am trying to position myself to get the Hazmat/TWIC.

Thanks for chiming in. Much appreciated.

CFI will reimburse you for your permit, hazmat background check, hazmat and tanker endorsements. All transportation, food, and housing is paid for by them. They also reimburse for your DOT physical. You will need receipts for reimbursement. You would have to drive for them for one year to pay that off, there are no payroll deductions for training. You only owe if you don't complete your year. That year goes by quickly.

Also, you can get going quicker with paid training than with a grant. Governments don't move quickly.

Good luck.

Thanks for your time and reply.

Is ABF still putting folks through training? It is my understanding they have a hub close to me in Baltimore.....?

As for the CLP, it is different now than it was last year. When I got it last year, I just showed up to my scheduled date at the MVA with my DOT physical card, and my ID documents they wanted to verify identity etc, and took my exams and left with my CLP. There was not a training requirement of any kind prior to February of this year when they instituted the change. This is the part that confuses me now. So you can't get a CLP in MD now without going to school?

Not too much has really changed, you should still be able to go and take all your permit tests except the hazmat. The entry level training requirement is a certificate verifying you completed the required minimum of 160 hrs training. A training course/test is now required to be completed prior to taking the Hazmat test at the DMV. Most schools and company training programs provide it, if not, there are some accredited ones online. Upon completion of the Hazmat course, your info will be submitted to the FMCSA and your state DMV which will allow you to take the test.

I did a 6 week training program with ABF Freight, we were given the Hazmat course and test week 4, I went to fIngerprint place then DMV for Hazmat test the following weekend. Didn’t road test with state until entire 6 week training was done

Hello,

It has indeed been a while. I suffered a severe concussion towards the end of last year which left me home again, I'm ok from that no permanent damage etc.

I continued working on myself this year pushing on from my momentum from last year. My CPL did expire last year but I have not given up on a career driving with a CDL. The state I lived in made a change to the "rules & regs" on getting your CPL and they now require "Entry-Level Training". I am having some difficulty getting a straight answer on what this means, IE: does this mean I have to go to a CDL-A program now in order to just get a CPL etc. I can't get a straight answer from the MVA office local to me so trying to track someone down who can explain this to me. I have continued to work on my health and I have lost 54 lbs this year (so far) and I have cleared out the little bit of debt I had etc. I have been going to school for barbering and while it is something I do enjoy, I am just not so comfortable pursuing this for a career with the economy heading in the direction it is. I should be done with that in Feb/March but I am back to looking into getting my CDL. I never consider it a waste to be educated and have a license for any profession. Regardless of where I am at, if I find a good situation to pursue my CDL I will go and do so and then come back to deal with Barber school if I still feel the need to do so. I just need to finish class hours and I'm halfway there, but I finished all the examinations and tests including the final exam.

I have emailed Wilson Logistics again as I saw a Facebook Ad of theirs recently, and it seems the demand of drivers may have changed a few things.

I am also waiting on the Vocational Rehab office local to me to get back to me for an intake interview to see if I qualify for assistance with funding to go to CDL school on my own.

I really want to get my Hazmat Endorsement and my TWIC card, and in my current state you cannot get the Hazmat off the get with your CPL anymore, this has to be added on later after you get your CDL-A.

So just trying to pick up where I left off, and trying to find the correct information and find the situation that is a good fit for me. I have absolutely zero regrets on the time away from pursuing my CDL as my life has improved in many areas especially my health to put me in a better position to come back and continue pursuing this. I just don't see being without work if I have a CDL. And this line of work seems to be a good fit for someone like myself who doesn't currently own a lot of material possessions, has no famliy left, and basically no ties to stay put in one place. I love driving big trucks and I love to travel so might as well get paid to do both.

So picking up where I left off and waiting for people to return phone calls and emails so I can gather info. I passed the learners permit exam before so not worried about that.

Hope everyone is doing well.

G

Any updates, any luck; Gabriel?

It's been awhile!

~ Anne ~

Congrats brother

Well, I just got out of my evaluation meeting with my trainer. And it’s official- I am a new driver for Schneider!

Schneider’s drive is scored fail at 16 points and I scored 3 points. Need to check mirrors better and scan intersections better.

Whew - been a wild ride. Three more days left filled with tablet training, trip planning etc etc.

Then off mentors truck for 5-7 days 🎉