One Step Closer...

I applied to a dozen companies but kept getting turned down because of my recent (un)employment history. Anyway, just when it looked like this deal wasn't going to happen, I get a call from Werner Enterprises saying I'm pre-approved. I know it's not a guarantee, but I'll take it!

I need to get some money together for tuition, but the plan is Smith and Solomon for training. There's a location about 10 minutes from my house in NJ. Once I'm enrolled, I need to call my recruiter and keep them in the loop.

It's a long road ahead, but I'm motivated, dedicated and determined to succeed. I want to thank everyone on TT for the advice and knowledge. You guys are great! Wish me luck!

Brian, are you near Scranton? I stay the night sometimes at the Petro there - I know they have a Smith and Solomon school at that location.

If you've been hanging around Trucking Truth long enough, you know several companies have their own schools. (Werner? I don't know off hand.)

Keep in mind a private school like S & S will be glad to take your money or finance your school, but you still have that asterisk in your work history.

A Company-Sponsored school is part of the hiring process, and you won't be getting in if there's problems in your application.

How long were you unemployed?

Hey Old School! I live in southern NJ about 10-15 minutes across the Walt Whitman from Philly. Scranton is almost 3 hrs north of me. beautiful up that way. I love driving thru PA, but the damn tolls are insane so I haven't been taking as many trips as I used to. the S&S school I'm going to is in Bellmawr, NJ.

Errol, all the companies I've applied to so far offer sponsored CDL programs. Unfortunately, they've all turned me down to this point although I'm still waiting to hear back from a few. the past 2 1/2 years I've had some personal/family stuff to deal with so I've only worked less than a year total. Prior to that, I worked 13 years for the same company. From '92 when I started working thru 2013 the only time I was unemployed was when I got home from boot camp and that was only about a month, but that's all too far back to count. Most of the companies seem to want at least a year of steady employment over the past 3 years. Prime Inc wants 24 months. Maverick Transport was the only one that seemed willing to flex a bit but not enough. The Knight Transportation recruiter actually told me they don't offer training. The Swift Transport recruiter told me they can't offer me training because I live in NJ. I been trying to reach someone higher up at all the places I applied to but no luck. I don't give up easy!

Don't feel bad, Knight told me the same thing and I have been a teacher, government employee, for the last eight years. Seven at the same school. My first school was only one year as I was an emergency hire after their prime candidate backed out. And, I was employed at the same company, uninterrupted for twenty years before that!! I have seen the lettering on Knight's trailers for years about "Come work for us, we're the best, we rock, you are exactly what we have been waiting for!!" Absolutely flawless driving record for the last 15 years and yet without any vetting whatsoever, the recruiter told me on the phone that they are not doing any training, even though I have read posts on this site from students going to their school. Oh well, I am experienced and this will be more a re-certification than a beginning education. Oh well, their loss. Stevens Transport jumped on it and I am a person who places a lot of credence in loyalty to a given extended opportunity. I will bust my backside for them and we will both prosper!! You missed out Knight! Probably don't care, but that's a mistake on your part!! Hope for your sake that this is not a regular occurrence for your company.

DSTURBD

Over the last year Knight has cut way back on their school locations.

Yeah, I'm not taking it personal. It was just funny because the email from Knight's recruiter had a line about their CDL training, but here the girl on the phone is telling me they don't train. What can you do, right? Their decision. But, I agree. Werner is the only one so far to actually give me an approval. They're willing to give me an opportunity to prove myself. When the time comes, if their offer is still on the table I'll remember that. Good luck at Stevens!

I talked to Knight the other day and they told me they provide CDL School BUT you had to get there yourself, pay for your own hotel and living expenses and they would train you????

Don't feel bad, Knight told me the same thing and I have been a teacher, government employee, for the last eight years. Seven at the same school. My first school was only one year as I was an emergency hire after their prime candidate backed out. And, I was employed at the same company, uninterrupted for twenty years before that!! I have seen the lettering on Knight's trailers for years about "Come work for us, we're the best, we rock, you are exactly what we have been waiting for!!" Absolutely flawless driving record for the last 15 years and yet without any vetting whatsoever, the recruiter told me on the phone that they are not doing any training, even though I have read posts on this site from students going to their school. Oh well, I am experienced and this will be more a re-certification than a beginning education. Oh well, their loss. Stevens jumped on it and I am a person who places a lot of credence in loyalty to a given extended opportunity. I will bust my backside for them and we will both prosper!! You missed out Knight! Probably don't care, but that's a mistake on your part!! Hope for your sake that this is not a regular occurrence for your company.

DSTURBD

Did you contact Millis Transfer? They don't have anything close to you that I am aware of but AWESOME School and 95% of their trainers are cool.

Yeah, I'm not taking it personal. It was just funny because the email from Knight's recruiter had a line about their CDL training, but here the girl on the phone is telling me they don't train. What can you do, right? Their decision. But, I agree. Werner is the only one so far to actually give me an approval. They're willing to give me an opportunity to prove myself. When the time comes, if their offer is still on the table I'll remember that. Good luck at Stevens!