Comments By TZ

Any one can tell me the makes of tractors, transmission types, cameras, onboard navigation , speed limiters, additional things like Sirius radio, Dish TV; power inverters? Thanks

TT NFI Company info

This is a bit late but the recruiter for NFI that I talked to last week stated that they have Mack trucks that are automatics in Elizabeth, NJ even though I just did a road test in an International day cab w/ manual transmission in Newark, NJ.

NFI leases their equipment every 2 years so equipment will vary depending on which division you work with. Their regional/OTR division will most likely have different kinds of sleeper trucks.

I've been told that NFI uses driver facing cameras in their day cabs.

Where did you go to SCHOOL to get your CDL?

Doesn't sound like one of the company schools - where you would certainly get enough miles to get your skills to the point where you could go solo.

If you want to drive look at one of the companies that does CDL training - and even consider downgrading your license back to a permit - and get some REAL SKILLS TRAINING with a company training program (that usually runs 40,000 miles total).

From what your comments sound like - you just haven't been TRAINED PROPERLY.

Rick

I went to Sage @ LCTI in PA.

Apparently, failing the SQT's at Schneider is keeping me from working at any other trucking company according to the Driver Recruiters at Prime unless I have at least 6 mos of experience. It's horrible customer service for them NOT bothering to tell me. How am I going to get experience if I don't have a job?

So, I should "downgrade" my CDL back to a permit? Then, go back to school somewhere & get trained "properly"?

Is that advice that should be taken as a joke or are you serious? What are the costs associated with that?

This whole experience just makes me sad especially since I thought that driving a truck would be a feasible option. Now I'm back to square 1.

If you don't mind flatbed; Maverick is 100% automatics.

Looks like Maverick is only hiring for their Glass & Temp control division out of North NJ. I'll give them a call, thanks.

I don't mind manual transmission but it's possible that it's contributing to my problems driving a truck.

I have my CDL, just failed Schneider's test. Should I even tell people that I was with Schneider or just say I'm a new grad out of CDL school?

I went to Sage Trucking @ LCTI in Schnecksville, PA for schooling. The issues that were pointed out to me at Schneider during their final test did not present themselves at CDL school or during the orientation or internship for Schneider.

All I know is that I no longer have a job as a tanker yanker w/ Schneider.

I need to learn how to drive a truck which includes safely making turns 1-4 feet away from curbs, driving the right speed when conditions permit (local driving: I've been driving too slow), proper downshifting on hills, and improving my overall confidence while driving a truck.

While I didn't seem to have any of these issues driving in the southeast in both city and rural areas apparently, the hills of PA where my tests were held are where I have problems.

My driving skills aren't the best which is why I've stayed away from applying for LTL type of jobs. It's only been a few days since I've separated from Schneider & the first weekend off since I started over a month ago.

Perhaps I should be looking at dispatcher or truck mechanic jobs/training using my CDL as a foundation? I noticed that most truck driver instructors at schools are no longer driving save for the one postal service instructor I had...I don't know at this point.

Supposedly there's a shortage of qualified truck drivers...perhaps it's too early to tell.

As far as I know, I haven't burned any bridges at Schneider Bulk & they even invited me back to reapply in 3 months as an experienced driver but that still leaves the question, where can I go from here? (I'm not sure if they say that with all of the folks that don't pass that Skills Qualifying Test)

TMC rejected my application during CDL school w/ no explanation. Roehl hasn't responded to my application yet (but it's only been 24 hours) Fedex cancelled the freight job that I had applied for (waited about 5 weeks after I applied to send me an email about it)

I have my tanker & hazmat endorsement. I have a TWIC card & passport card. Oddly enough, I now have time to pursue my P & S endorsements but not sure where to start. The X endorsement existed for only 1 month before the state of NJ did away with it and I never did pass my Doubles, Triples test...

Although I'm not sure I have the upper body strength for carrying an 80 lb tarp, being a flat bedder is an interest as is being a tanker yanker. I'm not sure about reefer or van as I just finished CDL school in August.

I passed Schneider's 2 week Safety course & completed an "internship" with them. I wonder if not having gone to Schneider for a month and trying to find work would be easier.

Comments and/or thoughts?

Just curious, which state did you decide to test for your Commercial Learner's Permit, DE or PA?

I just finished CDL school in PA even though I live in NJ.

I had applied to Schneider previously before starting school and then applied to a few after I was already in school during the 2nd week after field recruiters spoke at the school looking for students. TMC and Fedex Freight at Newark Airport (job was "cancelled) were the other companies I applied to. TMC rejected my application right off the bat, no reason was given.

After the 2nd week of school and after I had applied (again), Schneider contacted me via email and has kept in contact by phone. I respond by either if I can't take the call.

Dylan,

In healthcare as in any profession, you gotta pay your dues. Dues meaning low pay, long hours & working your way up. NYC is a great place but expensive as you say even for those of us that live in the area. It's also a place most truckers would be glad to stay clear of due to the traffic & amount of time that it would take to deliver a single load.

Healthcare is out, check.

Trucking is a good possibility even for me. I'm in a similar situation with a Sociology (pre-med minor) and Labor Relations degree but no job willing to pay me what I'm worth. I have experience working in technology startups, healthcare, retail, and real estate. I know that I want to be a facilities manager but don't have the money to pay for a $100k graduate degree. I don't want to go back into sales although it would make more money if one had the talent for it than any other job in the world. For all the sales in the world, the product has got to get to its destination. That's understandable & a great thing that the transportation industry hasn't died out with technology and progress. It can't be outsourced to another country.

I know your pain but you have the advantage of being a couple decades younger than I. Your hardships that I was referring to was moving to NYC from someplace else, getting your degree & realizing that you don't want to go into healthcare. It is an accomplishment to be proud of even if it's temporary.

When I was younger I moved to Los Angeles and settled in San Jose, California during the dot com era. From there I went to Las Vegas to delve into real estate. When I was forced to return "home", I got into healthcare before the Affordable Care Act (which has changed the way insurance works, Medicare/Medicaid wasn't paying enough to begin with). Then I lost it all including my house in Las Vegas which I was renting out when I moved back east. Needless to say, I've been trying to get it all back & crawl out of the hole that I found myself in.

Also, most people don't know what to do with their lives just don't get stuck in a job that you hate for 20 years before you realize that it isn't for you. My friends keep telling me that I have to pay my dues which is hard because I've paid my dues in 3 different professions and now I'm gonna have start all over again.

Sorry for getting off topic. Here are some links that might be of interest.

7 STRANGE QUESTIONS THAT HELP YOU FIND YOUR LIFE PURPOSE

20 People Who Became Highly Successful After Age 40

Regarding sleep:

https://www.truckingtruth.com/trucking_blogs/Article-1766/the-sleep-cycle-of-a-truck-driver-it-doesnt-exist

That's one trucker's experience

Not to dismiss your hardships or anything but have you tried working as an EMT in the city? EMT licenses are usually good for 2 years unless you forget to renew. Finding work as a med tech in hospitals is an option for getting hands on healthcare experience (having a phlebotomy certificate helps) in addition to volunteering at your local ambulance company for the purpose of networking.

As for your "useless" degree, at least it's a hard science degree. Your degree will get you in the doors of a hospital or healthcare facility for administrative work - patient admissions, etc.

Just a thought if you need $ to start repaying your college loans. Don't forget to contact your loan provider & ask for a forebearance to delay repayment. Economic hardship or whatever best describes your situation. If you can, pay the interest you owe or it will be added to your loans.

Are you from here (NYC Metro) or FL? There are trucking schools all over the country, if you are from FL & have a place to stay w/ friends/family, it might be best (financially) to return there while you are in trucking school (adding temporarily to your college debt).

Most of the answers to the questions that you have can be found by gleaning the info off of these forums but at least you are in the right place. You have a lot of good questions to ask but it's impossible for someone to tell you what's best for you.

You mention Swift & Roehl. Call those companies and ask those questions of them, see if they fit your needs & then post back here your experience so that others might benefit from your wisdom.

http://dmv.ny.gov/get-cdl NY CDL info http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/cdl.html FL CDL info http://www.thetruckersreport.com/ alternate trucker's forum

There was a post here that gave a good intro on what to do before heading off to a school to get your CDL, can't find the link.

Perhaps someone else can share it below. It essentially said to get your: 1) DOT medical exam (in the state that you will attend trucking school) from an authorized medical examiner, 2) get a background check on yourself, 3) get your driver's abstract from the DMV where you have your driver's license, 4) get your CDL A permit w/ as many endorsements as you can, 5) bring your original birth certificate & non-laminated social security card, 6) bring money/debit card/cell phone in case of emergency