Comments By Michael N.

Yes, I want to stay local and I chose WM companies because they usually have good hours, no nights, no weekends and usually no holidays either. No, I do not want to go over the road. I chose trucking because I'm almost 30 with no career and thought this would be the fastest way to get a good paying job. They do not know I'm a hard worker correct, but that was their response to me when I asked them if they hired new CDL grads. One company told me he hires new grads because he wants to train them his way because old habits die hard and that everybody had to start somewhere. Another company stated that once I graduated that I should apply to them in person because as long as I was a hard worker they would hire me. How they would know that before hand? I have no idea. It seems as though a lot of these trash companies have high turn over because I see a lot of "stay on" bonuses. Like I said, it seems like perhaps they are desperate for help. I'm not sure, but I'm just going off what they told me. Also, it seems like a lot of their hiring is predicated off of certain locations. For instance, Advanced disposal requires no experience in WI areas, but in IL they require 3 years. I can never seem to get definitive answers regarding the experience thing, but this is what I'm being told from these companies. I just feel like maybe I'm being lied to and I'm just wasting my time with this whole CDL class.

How would they know you're a hard worker if you have no trucking experience, nor do you have any experience with their company? That's an odd condition for hire.

What you can do is look into getting pre-hire letters from these companies. Here's some information about what they are and how it works:

• Article: Understanding Pre-Hire Letters: The What, Why, And How Of This Important Step
• Trucker's Wiki: "Pre-Hire Letters"
• Forum Topics Tagged "CDL Pre-Hire Letters"

If we knew more about your goals we could give you better advice. Why have you specifically chosen "waste management companies?" Are you trying to avoid going over the road and you want to stay local?

Tell us more about your goals and your situation and we can give you some better information.

Basically, I am taking a CDL course this Fall at my community college. My goal is to drive locally for a waste management company. Most local companies require at least 1 year of driving experience due to their insurance requirement. However, I have spoke with at least 5 companies locally that stated they would hire a new CDL graduate if they were hard workers, but I feel like I m wasting my time with the class because I m depending upon these select few companies to hire me, but if they don t for whatever reason, then I just wasted all that time and money. Should I take the chance?