Busting The Free Agency Myth In Trucking - Article By Old School
Topic 21741 | Page 1
I was very fortunate to be given an opportunity to drive for a local company with no training beyond school (id never suggest this route to becoming a driver to any student ever) it was scary for a lil while but i picked things up quick as i had plenty of class b experience but i sat for over a month after i got my class a shocked that they werent knocking down my door that was october 2016 ive switched companies now for a very dedicated proffesional caring small fleet of around 30 or so owned by veterans If i had it to do again i think id opt for legitimate trainer to show me the ropes cause driving is the easy part when it comes to trucking the paperwork and logs and learning to negotiate shippers and 1000 other things we do in a days time
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
I am applying to a private school and hoping to get started first week of March. My reasoning behind the private school is the two top companies i'm looking at do not offer company sponsored school. I have chose these two companies based on home time, pay, and benefits.
I am not opposed to company sponsored and i'm not trying to be a free agent.
Brett I understand your thoughts on private schools after reading your blog about them. While the company doesn't have anything invested in me I do. In all.i do I try to be the best. I don't want to be second or just average. I have a string work ethic and a desire to make as much as possible.
Is my reasoning for go private sound? It seems to be in my mind, however we all know how well that can work out. Lol
Thanks for all the info.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
One of the big things about private schools is they are happy to take your money (most often financed) and help you get your CDL. What's missing? The job part. Yes, recruiters come by and all that, but the school's commitment to you is the CDL only.
Bolt, in your case, your choices in companies don't have their own schools. You should talk to them about pre-hire letters. Though these don't guarantee you a job, they show that you have generally met their requirements.
- 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"
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.
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.
Thank you Errol for the info. I read the first two articles on pre hires. I will work on getting them. I know Melton offers them and I am sure TMC does also. While these are my top two companies I sure don't want to put all my eggs in one basket. I will continue to investigate other opportunities and get as many pre hires as I can.
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.
Pre Hires:
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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Busting The Free Agent Myth In Trucking
Another awesome article from Old School about a topic we like to cover. There's this fallacy that attending a private truck driving school will make you some sort of a powerful free agent in the trucking market.
People always hear that truck drivers are in demand so they figure that anyone with a CDL is in a position of strength. They assume they can shop themselves around like a high roller in Vegas.
People also hear that signing a contract to work for a company is like being in slavery or that you'll be taken advantage of. Yet nothing could be further from the truth.
Read this article and learn more about the reality you'll face after making the choice between Paid CDL Training Programs and Private Truck Driving Schools:
Busting The Free Agent Myth In Trucking
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: