Upcoming New Driver

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Turbo617's Comment
member avatar

Scroll past the line to avoid the typical intro 😁

Hey everyone, I'm a week or so away from graduating trucking school, I'm ready to take the test with the Massachusetts state trooper now though. Just have to wait till my test date is given to me

Studied the pretrip on this forum aswell as the general discussions over the last 4 months or so.

I sent out 5 applications. WEL, Roehl, Us Xpress, Werner, TMC. US Xpress is the only one getting back to me.

Roehl , I called them and they never recieved my application so I did one over the phone / application sent by email. Called them immediately after, all he needs is the police report due to an accident.

------------

I checked the truck company tab on this forum. Aswell as keeping in mind long term.

Roehl i see as good because I do want to get into flat bed , and if and when it slows down I can just switch divisions while staying with same company..

( are we able to take the Roehl trucks home on home time? Don't think I ever seen a Roehl truck here in the Northeast unless they run the Masspike I90. )

Werner I see the same , switch divisions.

Prime I see the same. Switch divisions.

Of the three, I'm more looking into Roehl , not sure why. Maybe because I seen the old guy with the picture of battling a tarp as his pic, he mentioned a few times to other rookies- look at long term ( imagine that, you guys effort is rubbing off on people who just read and never post). While others may have the nice equipment and maybe much bigger.. I believe I'll be better fit at Roehl.

What's the average pay like ?

Now this is my Main battle. I love trucking , but using the older gentlemens advice, I can get a State job with my CDL , where to start I'll make a bit less, I'll work a 7am-3pm shift. Full benefits . Aswell as room to get a second job IF I want which I may because I can't stand sitting in my ass all day . And as time goes on, I get the licenses and advance on up!

They do have heavy equipment. Mostly class b dump trucks. They have one low boy, few trailers. But only two day cabs. Since I'll have my Class A, I'll already be valuable , I'll just need all my hoisting licenses..

I'm stuck because of his advice 😂

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Day Cab:

A tractor which does not have a sleeper berth attached to it. Normally used for local routes where drivers go home every night.

Turbo617's Comment
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The thought of starting with swift even came into mind. Getting past all the rookie / dumb mistakes- I hear they pay well. Benefits are good. And the miles are there

LDRSHIP's Comment
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There is a Roehl driver that parks his truck next to mine at the WalMart during home time. So I would imagine you can take your trucks home with you.

2 more companies that have Dry Van and Flatbed are Western Express and R E West. Although I think you are outside of R E West's hiring area.

Maverick has Reefer and flatbed.

Dry Van:

A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.

Reefer:

A refrigerated trailer.

C T.'s Comment
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Whoop shout out to maverick.

dancing.gif

Old School's Comment
member avatar
Of the three, I'm more looking into Roehl , not sure why. Maybe because I seen the old guy with the picture of battling a tarp as his pic,

I think I represent that remark!

A good long term strategy is to get on with one of the large carriers first - Do a full year minimum of over the road work - then if you want to work for the state start applying for their driving jobs. That would be the most likely path to success in this "old guy's" opinion.

Over The Road:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Turbo617's Comment
member avatar

double-quotes-start.png

Of the three, I'm more looking into Roehl , not sure why. Maybe because I seen the old guy with the picture of battling a tarp as his pic,

double-quotes-end.png

I think I represent that remark!

A good long term strategy is to get on with one of the large carriers first - Do a full year minimum of over the road work - then if you want to work for the state start applying for their driving jobs. That would be the most likely path to success in this "old guy's" opinion.

Apologies in not remembering your username, I generally have more respect for everyone, no excuse.

So what you are indicating is prime / Werner over Roehl ?

I don't mind doing the one year, wife is onboard. Her concern is as long as I make more than I do now, which even a truck driver doing the bare minimum clearing close to 40k is more than I make ( sad reality of contract with security)

Over The Road:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Old School's Comment
member avatar
So what you are indicating is prime / Werner over Roehl ?

Certainly not... What I stated is to get on with one of the large carriers. Roehl would be an excellent choice.

You will get such a valuabke education from that first year OTR. Personally I would set a goal of two years if I was you. That first year can be really tough at times, but you will begin to understand how the game is played somewhere during that second year.

I've always brought my truck home, and never lived close to my company's terminals. Most of the large carriers who will hire from your area allow you to go home with the truck.

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Turbo617's Comment
member avatar

Update.

Roehl stopped contacting me.

Werner almost declined me but I had to reassure them my license was never suspended as my current job does random license checks and you get fired immediately with no license. After a bit of running around for s few days.

Werner has pre hired me

Us Xpress is interested in me but hasn't officially said I'm pre hired.

Both I believe will be dedicated accounts ( I haven't officially picked but that's what's being put as bait )

With my newborn baby boy it is a bit difficult but my wife fully supports me getting the 1-2 year experience for the good local jobs.

Pre Hire:

What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?

Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.

We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.

A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment

The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.

During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.

G-Town's Comment
member avatar

Update.

Roehl stopped contacting me.

Werner almost declined me but I had to reassure them my license was never suspended as my current job does random license checks and you get fired immediately with no license. After a bit of running around for s few days.

Werner has pre hired me

Us Xpress is interested in me but hasn't officially said I'm pre hired.

Both I believe will be dedicated accounts ( I haven't officially picked but that's what's being put as bait )

With my newborn baby boy it is a bit difficult but my wife fully supports me getting the 1-2 year experience for the good local jobs.

Dedicated,..."Dollar General"?

Turbo you might want to find out if that's the case. Not an assignment we recommend for an entry level driver. Use the search bar in the upper left to find archived threads on Dollar General to understand what's behind the caution.

Good luck!

Pre Hire:

What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?

Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.

We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.

A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment

The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.

During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.

Turbo617's Comment
member avatar

double-quotes-start.png

Update.

Roehl stopped contacting me.

Werner almost declined me but I had to reassure them my license was never suspended as my current job does random license checks and you get fired immediately with no license. After a bit of running around for s few days.

Werner has pre hired me

Us Xpress is interested in me but hasn't officially said I'm pre hired.

Both I believe will be dedicated accounts ( I haven't officially picked but that's what's being put as bait )

With my newborn baby boy it is a bit difficult but my wife fully supports me getting the 1-2 year experience for the good local jobs.

double-quotes-end.png

Dedicated,..."Dollar General"?

Turbo you might want to find out if that's the case. Not an assignment we recommend for an entry level driver. Use the search bar in the upper left to find archived threads on Dollar General to understand what's behind the caution.

Good luck!

Thanks !

I may end up doing the local food service after my 1-2 year experience. The unloading won't be a problem, if it helps me lose weight that'll be great, hopefully I'll be able to lose 40-50 pounds so I can enter the military ( possibly reserves so I can do 20 years in trucking and 20 years military)

What would be the problem , backing into tight areas. Not only backing , but backing on active roadways, roadways filled with people who have no consideration, even though they are going to park and shop at that store!

Currently reading a thread where Brett posted his experience, that doesn't sound bad at all. Ronnie r in that same thread is saying, spend more time unloading than driving and running into stores that aren't built to fit 53ft trailers

Family dollar I don't see much info on ( there's a store by my house that they park on the street, but the dollar tree also by my house has the most complicated set up but yet there was a we're truck w/ trailer in there)

I'm going to keep researching. For Werner , I will pick from the options available, I wouldn't mind otr but I hear nightmares for that. Also hear you get treated better in the dedicated accounts ( or maybe I get lucky and find a dedicated account that isn't dollar tree or dollar general )

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Pre Hire:

What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?

Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.

We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.

A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment

The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.

During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.

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