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

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

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.

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.

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.

Things that I've learned from this experience.

1) I am eligible for rehire at Schneider National in 3 months. That's a good thing, if I was as horrible as I thought I was, that option wouldn't be available. Granted, I will most likely reapply to them in a year but it's nice to have options.

2) I was trained properly, I just haven't become accustomed to driving a fully loaded tanker on county roads in the state of PA. I can however drive a tractor w/ an empty trailer in North NJ & on the NJT in a safe manner.

3) Recruiters/HR do not define transportation companies. Bad CS or good CS for that matter, is the fault of the person who is in that position. Like the attitude of a newbie employee in a new industry, having the right one will determine longevity & success in the profession.

4) Going to Sage @ LCTI wasn't a mistake. I've been given a few chances as a result of my attendance at that training facility.

5) Downgrading my CDL to CLP is a costly mistake, one that I'll not be making despite another poster's advice to do so.

6) It takes time...to fully appreciate any experience.

7) Perhaps I'm not cut out to be an OTR driver just yet but I can still drive a truck regionally or locally!

8) Safety has different interpretations at every company. What I learned at Schneider might be considered excessive elsewhere.

9) TT is a great resource. Thank you Brett, Moderators, & TT community for helping.

Try calling West Side Transport and ask about coming on board as a new cdl holder (student driver program). We do have a few drivers in PA, NJ, and CT.

Company trainers use manuals for training but all trucks are automatics. Company training is 30 days and when you go solo you are issued an automatic.

Good luck!

I'm shocked you said prime turned you down. Call back to another recruiter. They take drivers at every stage. It might be a better idea to try reefer first and learn handling a truck before you attempt tanker with the surge.

With your CDL prime hires from day one, and you would get 30,000 miles with a trainer before you go into your own truck.

Be advised that local and regional jobs often require one year OTR. And regional, despite what some believe does not always mean more home time. It might mean every other weekend instead of four days per month... But its still four days total per month in many cases.

I'm OTR but run mostly southeast and Midwest. I like running the same places to know where I can stop and being familiar with the roads.

Try applying to all the companies thru this sites link. Someone will hire and train you.

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You may want to consider Abilene Motor Express in Richmond VA. They will hire CDL grads and train. They have good equipment, NO touch freight, run refers and dry van. All trucks have Autoshift trannys. You do not have to live in or near Richmond. The company has some over 400 company trucks and perhaps 70 O/Os, it is family owed by Keith and Kolan Jones.

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.

I wasn't trying to be insulting. Sage got you your CDL, but if you were put out solo without any additional training (like with full trailers, etc.) - then you haven't been "properly trained".

Most of the company training programs, have you out for 40,000 miles with a trainer - the first 10K running solo with the trainer observing - the balance of the 30K running as a team with a trainer - then you test out.

By your own post: 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.

Again - I wasn't trying to be insulting - but by your own admission "you aren't the best driver" - which means you would benefit from some additional training/re-training.

Rick

Thank you for all your thoughts, comments, & replies!

I'll check out those companies mentioned above.

Self-doubt will destroy anyone's confidence! That is/was my issue in PA.

I can drive around North NJ/NYC in a car & a day cab with no issues. No problems w/ being 1-4 feet away from curbs, no issues w/ local traffic, no problems (other than nerves) for driving on 1&9 in Jersey City on narrow bridges or with construction, not creating any problems or being a hazard to other drivers. Perhaps it's a day cab vs a sleeper, I don't know for sure. Maybe, I'm just more comfortable being "home" as opposed to being elsewhere.

20+ years of familiarity in a region vs. 1-7 days in an unknown area for driving & testing purposes. Again, I don't know what went wrong exactly as I've had several road tests (north of Trenton, NJ) in the last week and I've been told that I have no issues driving safely to be considered for a job (other than being too "slow" changing lanes = the Schneider way that was drilled into me as a tanker driver).

As for the 30,000 miles of one on one driving w/ an observer, that sounds awesome but I think only Prime has that program. I applied but never heard back from them. I had to track down my assigned recruiter to get an answer & the answer was, perhaps in 6 months w/ more experience. It wasn't a solid NO, it was "not right now" which holds promise but not what I was looking for.

Although I've applied for a few jobs that were given to more experienced drivers, one or two have offered a local/regional job driving nights stating that there's less traffic so it's "safer".

Personally, I think that's crazy as night time is one of the most dangerous times to drive a truck depending on where you are. Big city w/ light pollution, no problem; in the sticks w/ very little light pollution: more difficult to see your surroundings, etc.

The two offers were verbal (on the phone/in person) & not in writing which has me wary - is that normal in the trucking industry?