Interviews
Topic 2597 | Page 1
Wait, you have no OTR experience? and you're getting calls back? hang on a second, I am packing my stuff right now and moving there lol. in Tampa to even be considered for a decent local job you need 2 years OTR 1 year tanker twic hazmat spotless record. have to atleast have one world record in semi truck stunts. a complete barrel roll without damage the product and a presidential citation for American of the year.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
That's right, no OTR experience. I'm not scared to apply to any and everyone regardless of what their "requirements" are. I mean what's the worst that can happen. They either don't call back or they say no. Doesn't hurt to try. Plus i just got back from my Oakhurst interview and they basically told me that pending a background check (no worries there) the job mine if i want it. It's a very physical job but that works for me. It may be helpful or easier to get a local job with experience but why not give it a try.
I've talked to a number of companies that even though they said they require so many years OTR they would consider some candidates with zero experience if they were the right fit and showed competence during a road test out training.
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.
People need to realize that "requirements" are sometimes not actually required. If the company needs driver bad enough they will hire you. Yes insurance policies of the companies play some part, but I would suspect the megacarriers have some wiggle room within those policies.
I just talked to a Love's fuel hauler (you know the big yellow trucks that put fuel into the Love's truck stop tanks lol)... and he started there immediately out of CDL school about 6 years ago. He said he asked a driver at the Love's near his house and the driver told him they have been searching for 2-3 drivers for over 6 months and finding no one. So he applied and got hired. They "require" 2 years of experience, but he got hired with 0.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
That is great news HeavyC. That is the only part of this job I hate, being away from home. Sysco is a very big outfit. Sounds like you can pick the best one for your needs. Great job!!!
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So I had my first interview yesterday since aquiring my license. It was with Sysco Foods. I don't think i've ever been through such a long interview process. It started at 2:00 and I didn't finish until around 4:30. It's a three step process with them. First you talk with the driver coordinator, than they bring you on a road test, then after all of that you have another sit down with someone from HR. All in all I feel like it went really well but they said i'll hear back from them by the end of the week. I have another interview today with Oakhurst Dairy. Both for class A trucks. I know these are very labor intensive jobs but that doesn't bother me in the least. I also got a call back from Diesel Direct about my application.
So everything seems to be going well so far in the job search. I told myself that I would be putting the time in to try and get something local and I'm glad to see that I'm at least getting some phone calls back. Even if I don't land a position at least they're considering me. I'll keep everyone posted on where I end up!