Comments By Scott L. aka Lawdog

Tracy, do you have some verifiable information that this is taking place, or is this just an assumption on your part? Do you know for sure this is the reason you can't land a job?

You got your CDL approximately six months ago. If you have not been working as a truck driver during that time, that is more likely the reason for companies not being willing to hire you. They want you fresh out of school. What have you been doing all this time?

All I got to go by is what the man told me I don't see why he would. Lie to me about that I didn't ask him to go to court and prove this girl said that. The girl is the boss's daughters wife. And she was a jailer before they caught her selling drugs to the inmates. So if that tells you what type of person she is . I'm just mad at myself for ever going to work for them in the first place . I just getting into trucking and this is what I got to deal with.

Tracy -

A friend of mine put a past employer on some job applications and couldn't figure out why he wasn't getting hire. He finally learned that that this past employer also was providing defaming and inaccurate to the prospective employers. A lawyer friend recommend that my buddy write a "Defamation of Character" "Cease and Desist" Letter (not an order as that can only come from a judge). Only the facts and statement similar to "request cease and desist immediately any and all false and deceitful claims concerning my past employment and character" including statement that further "legal action" will be taken. Have it witnessed, notarized and mail it registered with signature required.

^scott

Hello all. My name is Brandon. I'll be leaving the Army in the next 7 days and heading off to school through an army program to get my CDL in July. I was just curious as to what everyone here thought would be a good company to start out with. I know everyone says it's based on what you want but I want to see who people with experience would start out with and why so I can begin compiling a list of companies to look into. Any information is greatly appreciated.

To get back to Brandon's topic.....

When I began my research into switching careers last year, I had some "requirements" (even as a new driver) that I wanted from a company. Over a period of several months of research each company, weighing pros and cons (safety, benefits, turnover, etc.) I reduced my list down to 3, while in school several recruiters have come to do their "sales pitch". One big thing on my list is that I don't want to be a "driver number" so the mega-companies were off my list. A few local companies came in and one in particular peeked my interest which after several days and the son of the owner answering my questions throughly and honestly I've decided to go with them. They are family-oriented and they get their drivers home for their 34-hour restart (they prefer to hire drivers near the driver's lanes for this). Here are some other PROS Family Owned/Operated Family Oriented Full Medical/Dental/Life Insurance 401(k) New 2016 Tractors - with APUs, pre-pass, refers, Prepass Great CSA scores Safety, Fuel, Referral and other bonuses Tuition reimbursement Personal firearm allowed (driver must follow state laws for which driving in) Dog friendly (no restriction and no deposit) Great Mechanic/Service department (they even do work on competitor equip) Training 2 week local and 2 week (or more if needed) OTR

The only CON - unable to use my remaining Post 9/11 benefits for Apprenticeship/OJT program, but they are pursuing certification for future VETS.

So it up to you in making a sound decision for your perspective employer, make lists, talk to drivers at truckstops, etc. Everyone has opinions but ultimately it is your decision.

^scott

"Go Navy...Beat Army" (ha)

The school I'm attending (here in UT), each of us put on a set a couple times.

^scott

was just wondering what kind of trucking school is the best/ really good to go to?? I've been out of the military for 2 yrs now and want to change careers was a cook just really really burnt out of cooking for good...

Is Roadmaster Cdl Driving school good? what about Driver Solutions??

Hey Chef Erick -

I relocated from San Diego to Northern UT a couple months ago and attending 10-week CDL program at Bridgerland Applied Technology College (BATC.edu). The course and instructors (particularly the driving instructors) are awesome. Fellow student tested out three weeks earlier while myself and another student are ready to test out but we are just gonna wait until next week so we can get the road miles and experience under our belt. I have just over 500 miles right now and the head instructors have been taking us up and down canyons, windy roads, etc.

Recommend you get your DOT medical done thru the VA before, school is GI Bill approved and if you want to do what I did and pay for it cash out right it $2,700.

^scott

Hey, $47 is still $47, I'd take it. If not me, someone else is gonna get it.

That is a fill-up in my pickup. I got one in the mail yesterday also.

^scott

I'm a month into a five and one half month program to receive a class A. CDL. I'm beginning to look into finding work after I get my CDL. Are there federal government jobs available for drivers with a class A CDL? Like in the department of defense? Could you point me in the right direction on where to look? Like what to Google or which government website to surf?

Kevin -

You have a few things working against you, as result of the current administration many of the federal departments have taken major budget cuts; it also election year which compounds the problem, it is almost the final quarter of the FY and then the holidays will be approaching once you earn your CDL. As previously mentioned the only way you can get onboard with a a Federal position is to submit your resume and apply as usajobs.gov.

My recommendation would be upon completion of earning your CDL is to get some miles/experience under your belt than apply for a driving position with Federal (that if you still want).

^scott

In the school I'm in we've kept a logbook since week 2. Now that we are in our driving weeks, our head instructor ensures/reminds us to update our logbook at each change of duty status.

Any past or present drivers on here that work for Schuster?

McElroy Truck Lines

For no particular reason, I was just interested in any opinions of this company. They are a flat-bed outfit based out of Cuba, AL. They hire recent graduates. They start out at .43 CPM (includes tarp pay). You are guranteed home on weekends. And my favorite part, they offer free health insurance! They were one of my top choices when I first graduated, but I chose a different route. I just never see or hear much about them.

This company looks good on their CSA scores, most of their issues seem to be driver only "hits" and or pre-trip/enroute inspection issues.

Week #5 is done. Drove almost 100 miles, working on my downshifting techniques. Instructor said I am doing outstanding and is impressed. The first about 70 miles was with 67k lbs and then the remainder was Bobtailing. A fellow student drove a partially loaded flatbed and we dropped it off, and I drove back bobtailing to the school. Definitely is a very different experience between driving loaded and not.

Three of us students are well ahead of the remaining two, mainly due to language barrier. We spent yesterday practicing our off-set and alley dock and each of us are too the point that we only need 1 pull-up. Strangely enough I am having slight difficulty on the driver's side off-set but continue to progress.