Comments By Mike C.

Big Scott, These guys dont play around. I live south of Tampa. They're renting me a car to drive to Joplin which during these times I strongly prefer to flying. The whole plan is pretty much laid out from the car rental to the hotel, orientation, what to bring, what needed to purchase, and what all to expect. I'm very enthused. I think I've lucked out and landed with a first class company. When it all came together it came together real-real fast.

Again, I want to thank all of you because I was a true lost soul. Your input was crucial to my decision making.

Going on the premise I dont back into anything at the orientation, I'm just about close to earning my wings.

After graduating from Tampa Driver's School, I thought getting a job was pretty much a no brainer............WRONG! Well, at least what I would consider a good one. After excellent advice from the forum, I applied to a lot of companies. I received: "No FNG'S" "Call Us When You Have Some experience" "Not Hiring In Your Area" and a few just "Not Hiring". Also a few that I did a lot of follow up with. All in all I gotta say that the answers and the individual recruiters were very polite and some extremely helpful.

I guess I sent my information to about fifty +/-. Ended up with maybe three to five hopefuls. I settled with CFI out of Joplin, Mo and begin orientation 27 July in Joplin. I've had some disappointments so I'm not counting my chickens however I think I made a good choice.

Thanks to all the advised me and helped me. Ya'll were more help than you know. I do wish to say that when new guys and ladies come on and ask for help that this site is a very good one to go to and seek help. No one talked down to me or anything of the sort which says alot about the people on this site

Maybe I R or is gonna be a gen-u-ine truck driver after all.

Papa Pig Well, I've never been known to be timid but this is all new to me and alot different than I thought it would be to get started. I'm trying to learn what the norm is. I thought you graduated from a school, passed the state, got your CDL, got a job with a trainer and off you go. I got the first part down and graduated from a school with a brand new CDL. Got hired right away with a company that offered a one week (or so) orientation, then you have a truck solo. I am not, was not, even close to a truck and solo out of the gate. So, it would appear that well, find another job with another company that offers some kind of training for a new driver. Thus far the only offer I have is team driving which is not what I want but might have to.

I will follow up with the companies you suggest and I very much appreciate your input.

Thanks......................

Well, From the look of it without six months' experience so far I'm outa luck. Hogan, Not hiring newbee's
Davis Six mos experiance
Martin Six months experiance
Dart Six months experience
Cypress I left a message
Knight got a decline with no explanation
One other I prefer to leave unnamed I withdrew from orientation.....but would give me a truck solo

If I do or do not wish to Team, looks like it might be the only way I'm going to get experience to get a job

I'll continue to knock on doors but it just does' not look all that hopeful without experiance

Any thoughts I'd appreciate

More interesting points you bring.

The instructor that suggested to me flatbed I answered with exactly what you bring up, tarping and the like.

I had made a wisecrack to him having to do with my backing skills asking if I could apply to a company that only required going forward. His answer was Flatbeds. When he answered that I did comment as to tarping and the like. In my over fifty year profession I drove an automobile about 100,000 miles a year. Pretty much all over the U.S. Of A and some in Ontario. Over those years and miles certainly I saw flatbeds that were tarped in weather that I sure wouldn't want to be tarping and tieing down a load, The instructor we had in our initial classroom week was a many year driver that only did flatbeds. I guess a flatbed driver is a dedicated kinda flatbed guy?

Rob

You bring up an interesting subject. Flatbed? Is there an advantage? I had an instructor that suggested flatbed.

Pros? Cons?

Seems that there are those who prefer flatbed

I applied (I think) on the site. Along with being a total klutz as a new driver I'm also living in the stone ages re computers. Some of us that have a few years on us are not real computer friendly. I'm pretty sure I did it all correctly .

How many companies does my info go out to?

Is this the best way to reach out for a job?

Brett, Old School, BigT.............. Thanks!

I'm taking your advice

Old School

My CDL is dated 19 June, 2020

I had an immediate job but a one week orientation then I'm on my own, solo, with a truck scared me off.

I'm actively, right now, wanting a job and as a Team driver I can have one right now, but, I really do not want Team Driving.

Tampa Truck Driving School, thru their Tenn location is actively trying to place me. They're a very cooperative outfit and very helpful.

Yes, I do understand the "stale" issue. There was a guy in school with me that had to renew (whatever the right word is) his license because he was inactive for a period of time.

I told the Tenn location that if I had to Team then I would but I really dont want team driving.

One thing I sure have learned thru the entire journey, six weeks of a three week school (because i'm a Klutz), til now is that there's a hell of alot more to driving a truck than driving a truck.

People tend to view a truck driver with alot less respect than a driver has earned. I can pre flight a single engine airplane easier and faster than I can pre trip a truck and trailer. And, I 100% promise you, learning to fly is a hell of alot easier than learning to drive a semi. Airplanes only go forward and dont pull a 53' trailer behind them. Truck drivers are a very underestimated profession.

I got thru drivers school because it is a very good school and by the skin of my teeth.

I did apply to one

That's part of my confusion and my concern.

I am of the opinion that applying to alot of companies is a bad mark on your DAC. I did also question that here on the forum and the one answer I got was not convincing to me but maybe it's because of how I framed the question. The way I asked the question was perhaps confusing. I had withdrawn from a orientation and asked if that was a bad reflection showing on my DAC. The answer I got was the withdrawel from the orientation might be a bad mark but the multi applications I did not get a clear answer to, at least to my mind. I withdrew from the company after four days of orientation because the company did not offer any trainer period. After about a one week or so orientation it was "here's a truck, seeya" I was not comfortable with that at all. I should not have begun the orientation at all but it really didn't dawn on me until into the orietation how ill equipped I was to be on my own with a truck right away. I did state my concerns here on the forum and came away feeling like I made the right decision by withdrawing from the emplyment.