After 1 Month Of Training With A "major" Truck Company For Tankers, I Don't Have A Job...where Can I Go Now?

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?

I don't understand what you're saying. Did Schneider train you then not offer you a job, or something like that?

I don't understand what you're saying. Did Schneider train you then not offer you a job, or something like that?

I'm not sure if they say that with all of the folks that don't pass that Skills Qualifying Test

Looks like he didn't pass the Skills Qualifying Test.

You can do flatbed if you want. Women do it.

You can do flatbed if you want. Women do it.

Some women are stronger than others ... or some men are longer than others, ahem.

You can do flatbed if you want. Women do it.

Some women are stronger than others ... or some men are longer than others, ahem.

😂😂😂

Use the section on this site and you can shoot your application out to several different trucking companies. What exactly did you have trouble with on the skills test?

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.

Did you fail the test for your permanent CDL , or the graduation test for Schneider's driving program? If the first, that's a problem. If the second, then it's still a problem, but not as serious.

You were dinged for driving too slow on local roads? If you're talking about 5-10 miles per hour slower than the posted limit, that's crazy. Especially in PA, which has some incredibly horrible local roads. I almost always drive a little below the speed limits in town. I'd rather be a little slow than run over a 4-wheeler popping out of a side street or driveway. If you're talking about 15+ miles per hour less than the speed limit, yeah, you're a road hazard.

As for shifting, if you have serious issues with shifting, and already have your full CDL, apply to companies that run fully automatic trucks. US Express has a 100% automatic fleet, if I remember right. Other people might suggest other companies.

Turning is something you will only get better at by doing more turns.

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