Which Companies Hire New Graduates Straight Out Of CDL School ?

We're totally behind ya Marc and we're all pulling for ya. I really am interested in hearing how things go over there for ya. It could be a great gig.

Do keep something else in mind - the hours are going to be really, really long. People hear "home daily" and they think, "Wow, that's great! I'll actually have a life!"

No, you won't unfortunately. Local gigs usually entail around 60 hours per week. You're going to use your logbook hours just like anyone else. I had a local gig one time and I wanted to hang myself. I had just bought a house and I had been on the road for the better part of 14 years so I was ready to spend some time at the house. Well from the time I left the house until I got back home each day averaged about 14 - 15 hours. So I had 9 - 10 hours to eat, shower, do chores, and sleep before leaving the house again, and I was totally exhausted when I got home.

So local work isn't anything like having a 7 to 4 job where you're home by 4:30 or whatever. The hours are usually ridiculously long. I mean, you're going to average 2,000 miles per week, plus you'll at least have to do one or two drop-n-hooks, plus the city traffic, plus the commute to and from work everyday. Do the math, it's not a pretty picture. So just be ready for that.

Really Old School? I didn’t realize the margins were so fine. 😱 Thought they made more than that.

Really Old School? I didn’t realize the margins were so fine. 😱 Thought they made more than that.

They are! Check the posts on Owner Ops and Lease Purchases!

We're totally behind ya Marc and we're all pulling for ya. I really am interested in hearing how things go over there for ya. It could be a great gig.

Do keep something else in mind - the hours are going to be really, really long. People hear "home daily" and they think, "Wow, that's great! I'll actually have a life!"

No, you won't unfortunately. Local gigs usually entail around 60 hours per week. You're going to use your logbook hours just like anyone else. I had a local gig one time and I wanted to hang myself. I had just bought a house and I had been on the road for the better part of 14 years so I was ready to spend some time at the house. Well from the time I left the house until I got back home each day averaged about 14 - 15 hours. So I had 9 - 10 hours to eat, shower, do chores, and sleep before leaving the house again, and I was totally exhausted when I got home.

So local work isn't anything like having a 7 to 4 job where you're home by 4:30 or whatever. The hours are usually ridiculously long. I mean, you're going to average 2,000 miles per week, plus you'll at least have to do one or two drop-n-hooks, plus the city traffic, plus the commute to and from work everyday. Do the math, it's not a pretty picture. So just be ready for that.

Thanks Brett!

This is Regional. 5 out, 2 back. Extra $240 or so if out the extra day. Plus miles I think.

In addition to "Load / Drive / Unload / "finish out your 14 hours" (doing whatever we need or can find for you to do)... it's why I don't want to do LTL!

Hey Robsteeler, these publicly traded trucking companies generally operate with something like a 97 percent operating ratio. That means they are averaging 3% profit margins. It will go up and down a little and times are pretty good right now for freight rates, but it's still a volatile market. Just so you can realize what I'm talking about I looked up Schneider's first quarter financials and found they had a 4.18% profit.

Here's how that would play out on a $2,750.00 load...

They would net $115. Sounds like a killing doesn't it.

I'm starting a local CDL School on Monday and researching all I can about future employment.

Which school are you attending? Let us know how it goes.

Bill

United Trucking Driving School here in Murfreesboro, TN.

DAY ONE of CLASS under my belt !!

Back to studying.

I'm starting a local CDL School on Monday and researching all I can about future employment.

Which school are you attending? Let us know how it goes.

Bill

NOT LOOKING TO START A DEBATE HERE... JUST STATING FACTS...

Where you attend school and the type of program matters.

Many companies (more and more over time) are relaxing "minimum experience requirements". Historical reviews are a great place to start but are not a substitute (IMHO) for current research.

Companies may also make a "one off" exception for "the right" candidate.

I just graduated (have my certificate, cap and gown / diploma this Wed.) from a 400-hour technical college program. I am scheduled to start Jan. 7th with J.B. Hunt on the Amazon Dedicated 7-state Regional run out of Kenosha, WI. J.B. Hunt "advertises" a 3-month experience requirement. (It is a GREAT gig for a newbie!).

I have been in ongoing discussion with a company which "requires" 2 years of OTR experience. After going to his boss, his bosses boss and the owner, they were continuing to move forward with me.

I know of one company which will hire out of "my" school, but not the other local area technical college due to differences in results from hiring students out of the two schools.

Whatever you do, do your research... explore your options. Get the best training you can get and market yourself professionally. I started attending job fairs early in school, before the one on our campus... even met a trucking co. owner at the DMV. Stay in touch... don't burn bridges!

FYI... I am doing online orientation. I show up on Jan. 7th as a J.B. Hunt employee. Fill out some more paperwork and go out with my trainer for week one. After 4 weeks (home each weekend I believe), plan is to test and go out solo in my own truck.

Not saying this is better than other ways of doing this. Just saying this seems to be working for me.

Find what works for you!

Good luck to us both!

That's awesome !

I've been researching and job hunting for several weeks now. Still overwhelmed with the vastness of it all. BIG learning curve but it is what it is. One can only eat an elephant one bite at a time.

Just started class today so research will have to wait just abit.

Thanks for the tips !

Marc I must throw out some cautionary advice here...

JB Hunt is indeed an excellent company. And agreed there are companies willing to relax their hiring criteria. Many of them are desperate for drivers. However the extended research required whenever comes down to a couple very basic elements:

- Are you fully insured with “said” company? Fact is with many of the “lessor knows” including Mom & Pop outfits, the entry-level driver is the one taking the biggest chance. One little mistake resulting in an insurance claim, and you may find yourself looking for another job. Such as the company you have had on-going discussions with. The owner knows exactly what his exposure is by hiring you. Do you? Hard questions must be asked like; “what happens if I am involved in a minor accident?” The odds are not favorable prevailing throughout the first year without at least one minor incident.

- The companies that are best at road-training and supporting new drivers may not be the ones willing to relax their entry standards beneath what is advertised. Although they may be willing to take a risk on the new driver, they may only be in a financial position to provide cursory level road training or none at all. Yes, them handing you the keys almost immediately may be exciting, it is clearly not enabling long term success and safety. The importance of road-training cannot be overstated. The importance of a company’s ability to address the unique and often urgent needs of an entry level driver also cannot be overstated. Again ask the tough questions. “How do you road-train?” “Do you have experience supporting new drivers?”

Without any doubt the companies publically advertising and touting they hire with no experience have a significant track-record of success working with and supporting new drivers.

Most of them are right here: Paid CDL Training Programs

So yes Marc research is important, but requires one to look beyond that which is obvious.

Good luck with JB Hunt. Safe travels!

Excellent points to ponder for sure.

There seems to be a log jam of sorts in this Driver shortage IMHO. The research I've done (limited as it's been) is that a lot of companies are blowing smoke and NOT getting REAL serious in their Incentives to attract new drivers. Everyone talking potential with experienced hyper=performing drivers but not much reality for newbies walking in the door.

All the recruiters sound like parrots. No one really setting themselves out front and being industry leaders. Companies really need to loosen up their purse strings and offer better pay and benefits. No one will convince me that the the money is NOT there. I'll stop there. ;>)

That said, I do have a lead on a local CDL-A job that's paying $19.75/HOUR to start WITH a LARGE sign on bonus. Tuition reimbursement as well. It's not OTR and home every night. I know experience there will not count for road time, but that's not what I'm after. We'll see if it's still there in a few weeks when I graduate. Not throwing all my eggs in one basket so still researching the best I can.

Now back to studying ! Lol !

Thanks Brett and LDRSHIP.

Trust me, I get it. I am not suggesting I will be making 1/2 - 2/3 more than ANYONE!

One of the many reasons I think CPM matters is that I DON'T expect to rack up miles like s pro. The more I make per mile the more I make... especially if I sm not able to pile on miles at first.

I also believe my best opportunity to gain experience and put on miles as well as have some home time and not just be thrown out on this big country is the 7-State Regional (5 days out, 2 days back) gig.

FYI, average miles for this role are projected at 2,000/week and they have shared average earnings of everyone on the account.

I will now stop sharing about things which I have not yet done!

Think about this. 2000 miles is only 3 days worth of driving. If it is taking you a week to do that, what are you doing with the other half of your time? The higher cpm is making up for the lower miles. I rather have the lower cpm and higher miles. In the end it will all wash out to the same. Here is a question. Would you rather make 45cpm getting 2000 miles a week or make 38cpm getting 2700 miles a week?

I'd rather make 54 CPM plus $15/stop with a minimum guarantee, bonus for being out another day, 100% no touch and 90% drop and hook. But like I keep saying... That's just me!