Profile For James M.

Laura sorry to hear about you being laid off, can't believe that they just said whoever is driving these trucks coming off lease are done and didn't do a little better evaluation on the person behind the wheel that was let go. If that is how the company operates I wonder how long they can stay afloat. Best of luck to you and enjoy the well deserved time off.

James this is an example of the industry right now, getting a foot in the door is what you need. There are two companies you can look into as they do company sponsored CDL training Halvor Lines in Superior, WI and Magnum trucking in Coon Rapids, MN. What their current qualifications are I am not sure but may be an option.

People aren't buying stuff...only essentials. They're hanging onto their money until at least the election. I think if a Democrat/Biden gets elected again, people won't be buying anything at all!

My company with 80 trucks has apparently been letting some drivers go. Just this morning, 10 of us that were in older trucks (2020, 2021) were laid off. My load planner, left two weeks ago but now I think she was laid off also. I sent her a text message just a bit ago to see if that is what happened. All these older trucks will be turned in this week back to the leaser. So, my brother in IL is coming to get me here in MN and run me to Idaho. I am going to apply for unemployment and take advantage of that for about a month. Then, I will see if I want to get back on the road doing over the road or even regional. I may just retire because in a little more than 2 months I will be 73. It's just that my social security won't make a house payment and other standard bills. So we'll see, but I'm not jumping into anything right away.

Laura

Hi Nuts,

I know the MSM has been lying to everyone about how the economy is. I wonder if someone pays them to lie? Anyway, I'm on X (Twitter) and there's a lot of people pointing out the truth that's really in front of everyone's face. I mean, look at all the prices for food? Look at the price of gas? I keep hearing things are getting better, but I certainly don't see it.

I should have figured out earlier on that if everything is so damn expensive out there then that must be affecting the trucking industry. It was really as simple as adding 1 plus 1. I think I was just being stupid or blind or both. Maybe sub-consciencely, I didn't want to know the truth. I don't know. All I know is what I know now and that is terrible what happened to Laura. I can't imagine what she's going through, but it's great to see that she's got people here who cares about her and her situation.

As much as I really want...need....friends like you all in real life; not just co-workers, but real friends; I think my dream of becoming a trucker might be coming to an end. I'm going to keep trying, but I'm reminded of the saying, "Stop beating a dead horse."

All I can do is keep trying my best to get in somewhere and pray. Everything else is out of my hands.

I'll keep trying, but I think I'm going to start applying to stores near me. Not really sure what else to do.

I'd go with dry van to start, once you gain experience manuevering a trailer around (year +) safely, then ya can look into reefer? Reefer will have even more to learn, than dry van, and starting out ya really don't need that extra burden....

Besides, getting your foot in the door, where ever that can be, is priority number 1 period. Especially, during this down turn. CRST no loner trains drivers, at least in California, not too sure about their main school/ terminal in Cedar Rapids, Iowa...

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your info. I did fill it out as wanting a dry van and put in for being a solo driver. I didn't know that they had training at one time in California. According to their site, they do still offer training at their Cedar Rapids, IA location.

Swift asked about team or solo and they also asked about what kind of equipment I prefer to drive: Dry Van, Flatbed or Reefer. Anyone know offhand what the best choice for that would be? Thanks again!

Quick question. Are most trucking companies looking for team or solo drivers? I'm seeing that question a lot and not sure what the best choice is to make for it. Thanks!

You could also try some beverage or food service companies in the meantime. I know for our delivery or shuttle drivers you need a years experience but they do hire non-CDL drivers, loaders, pickers, yard jockeys etc and have a program to attain your CDL. Any time worked for the company, no matter the position counts towards your seniority for when you do become a driver. Good luck.

Hi Klutch,

Thanks for that! I'll take a look online. There's a ton of store around me. I would imagine they need drivers to get the beverages and food there. I didn't know they had a program like that. Very cool! Thanks again!

Listen, this isn't personal. It's ok to be bummed. Check them off the list, and keep going.

I do have a question about your previous training, based on your earlier comments, as it does matter.

Were you at a driving school, and THEN got a conditional offer from Millis, or did Millis send you to your previous program? One may be workable, the other may not.

I just reread what you said. Millis didn't send me to a school and I didn't go to a training school. They have their own training program, their own school...which was nothing more than some space covered in gravel, 1 truck and 2 trailers, some cones set up here and there and a small building where they have a few desks to sit at. Does that answer your question?

Listen, this isn't personal. It's ok to be bummed. Check them off the list, and keep going.

I do have a question about your previous training, based on your earlier comments, as it does matter.

Were you at a driving school, and THEN got a conditional offer from Millis, or did Millis send you to your previous program? One may be workable, the other may not.

Hi NaeNae,

I'm not sure what you mean by a conditional offer. If you mean a contract, I never signed one. I reached out to them in the beginning and asked about their program. I'm not sure if that's what you meant or not. If not, just let me know. Thanks!

BTW, I just finished the application for CRST.

From their perspective, you attended school or training and failed. It doesn't matter why you think you failed. It's a statistically higher risk to hire you.

It confirms what we are telling you. Any large carriers that you get into are having trouble keeping enough miles to retain their experienced safe proven reliable drivers, they are pushed by corporate to hire, but boots on the ground, know that they cant hire more.

The corporate position is still to hang on to as large as pool of drivers and trucks as possible, thinking this economy will follow patterns it used to and magically get better. They are on the cusp of trimming down fleet size and trucks just to stay alive as they are faced with the reality of business as usual means closing their business.

What it means for you is that pretty soon, companies will cease hiring or dramatically cut the number down. Only experienced drivers with low risk records who are willing to take some abuse will be primary candidates. It's just natural selection.

I'd keep trying, go with anyone that will hire you. Be honest about your previous experience and simply state that you struggled and failed but have changed so that you can better adapt to the training. Blaming the company makes you look bad and you're not going to convince a prospective employer who doesn't need another driver anyway that they should hire you. But if you take responsibility and deliver a prescription for change, they might be more inclined to take a chance.

Thanks Davy. I get what you are saying and appreciate the advice. I wish I knew in advance that in training with Millis that I'd only really have 1 1/2 weeks to learn 6 backs, but then again, I'd have no idea if that's enough time to learn that or not.

I texted my instructor from Millis and told him about Wilson Logistics. He suggested that I try for CRST. He believes they might give me a shot. I'm filling out their application now.

BTW. It's going to be hard til fill that out while I'm crossing my fingers...lol

I can't believe this. Bradley called me back and he was all ready to set up everything to get me there Monday. He said he had some questions to ask me. One of them was if I ever drove a truck before. I told him about Millis and that the training there wasn't long enough. 1 1/2 weeks to learn 6 back and I had got 4 of them. He had to stop me right there. He said that Wilson Logistics had to be my first choice. They have some kind of rule. I don't understand. I just don't get it. I even told him that the instructor there admitted that it wasn't long enough and that he argued to management about it. I even went as far as to give him the instructors phone number so he could verify. He said it didn't matter and that he was sorry.

Has anyone here heard of this rule? It seems like a crazy rule to me. Does anyone know of any trucking companies that offer training that do NOT have that rule? They all can't have it. I mean, if that's the case.....I'll NEVER become a driver. Why would they have that rule???

Hey all,

HUGE UPDATE: Bradley from Wilson Logistics got a hold of me and said he's going to try to get me out there by this Monday or Tuesday!

Thanks Bruce!