Nothing Good To Report, I'm Afraid...

The other part of my list...

Trucking companies that hire with no experience.

Covenant CR England CRST Decker Truck Lines KLLM Knight ** Maverick Melton Pam Transport ** Roehl Transport Schneider Stevens Transport ** Swift Transportation TMC - Flatbed only TransAm US Xpress ** West Side Transport

(Old notes... not current status): * = Quick Apply ** = They Responded

Guess I have more work to do!

Is Decker still under the PAM umbrella? They used to be; here in Wooster. My landlord drove for them (Decker) hauling dedicated for MTD. God rest his soul...he never retired; just drove until he couldn't. Somewhere off 224 in Wooster, Ohio. Many moons ago; I know... but. You could ask.... just saying.

Marc, I'm convinced you're a super nice guy. I'm also convinced you are your own worst enemy. You don't listen, and you don't learn. Here's what I'm talking about.

You said:

Turns out one can't believe everything one reads as some companies say they require major experience but do take on Noobs. (One is a small company)...

So I responded:

Isn't that what you said about JB Hunt? You were excited that they would hire you with no experience when they normally required experience. We told you to beware of putting yourself in that situation because they'll drop you like a hot potato at the first sign of trouble, and they did.

You said:

Brett, not sure... don't think it was an exception... just didn't show Noobs on the web site.

You're not sure, huh? Well, fortunately, I have a great memory and advanced database skills, so I pulled up a little reminder for ya. For anyone who wants to read the full conversation, go here: Which Companies Hire New Graduates Straight Out Of School

It's an amazing conversation, from 9 months ago. Marc, you said:

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!

G-Town, who deserves the Crystal Ball Award for this one, said:

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.

I mean, seriously, G-Town has a crystal ball. During that conversation, a long list of experienced drivers tried talking you out of taking that job and tried helping you understand what a precarious position you were in. Yet no matter what we said you always had a comeback for it. You always thought you knew better.

Now here we are 9 months later and you're once again trying to get into companies that normally hire experienced drivers, and you're excited about the prospect. It's like we never had any of these conversations with you, or like none of this ever happened.

I think you're a super nice guy, but you don't listen and you don't learn. I genuinely feel bad for you. I mean that. I know you're trying hard, but no matter how hard you try you'll never overcome poor decision-making. If you won't listen to those who have had success and you don't learn from your mistakes then all I can hope is that you're the luckiest man in the world.

Folks, I highly recommend you read this conversation. It really shows you how well we understand this industry. Everything we said would happen did in fact happen to Marc. I'm hoping Marc will re-read this too since he ignored our lessons the first time and now seems to have forgotten them altogether:

Which Companies Hire New Graduates Out of School?

Look at Ryder's career website and see if they are hiring for any accounts in your area. They have a Driver Development Program, DDP, that does not require any experiance as long as you have your CDL.

You drive with a trainer for 6 weeks making a base pay, was $650/week when I did it in April 2018. After the 6 weeks you test out and then go solo making whatever that particular account pays.

Ryder is a Third Party Logistics company so the type of driving and equipment varies greatly depending upon the customer.

I imagine that Penske, Black Horse, etc have similar programs.

Still lost in Trucking Truth, Ann says,

Errol...... I'm looking at all these buttons right now.... and still lost as a copper penny, haha!

Tap on Link, two boxes appear. The top one is for the words you want to see in the message, the bottom one you need to copy/paste the www thing from the web page you want to share.

(Hint: to copy a web address, on Android phones tap the desired web address, you'll see a tiny "copy" icon. Tap on that to copy, then put the cursor in the lower Link box. Press you finger on the cursor until you see a "Paste" tag appear. Now tap that, mission accomplished.)

Look at Ryder's career website and see if they are hiring for any accounts in your area. They have a Driver Development Program, DDP, that does not require any experiance as long as you have your CDL.

You drive with a trainer for 6 weeks making a base pay, was $650/week when I did it in April 2018. After the 6 weeks you test out and then go solo making whatever that particular account pays.

Ryder is a Third Party Logistics company so the type of driving and equipment varies greatly depending upon the customer.

I imagine that Penske, Black Horse, etc have similar programs.

Thanks Greg. Just part-time in my (general) area now.

As usual Brett you are right.

However...

Now here we are 9 months later and you're once again trying to get into companies that normally hire experienced drivers, and you're excited about the prospect. It's like we never had any of these conversations with you, or like none of this ever happened.

I am not "trying to get into companies that normally hire experienced drivers" - I applied and when contacted I noted their web site said they wanted experience. I questioned that immediately and was told they hired newly licensed drivers as well. I also found out later in the call that they own about 60 trucks.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME they are one of a few companies in contact, willing to offer me a chance. I believe I understand the risk and realize it would be FAR FROM IDEAL. It is, however, one of a few current options.

I am continuing to go down the lists...

Your link, member suggestions, my list and pretty much any other sources out there.

I also recall a member saying JB Hunt / Amazon sounded like a pretty good gig at the time I was considering it.

I'm sure you have access to that one as well...

I’m confused. Did you say Veriha would hire you?

If so, what are you waiting for?

If you have a good company like Veriha or any other major company willing to hire you, I would jump on it, regardless of commitment. The longer you keep shopping around, the worse your chances of being hired will get.

Your commitment will pass quickly and at that point you will have experience and will be able to shop around if you are unhappy.

Another option may be JBS Carriers. I've talked to a few of their drivers and they seem very happy. Pretty much pull their loads from packing plant to grocery warehouses. Drop and hook at the plant, lumpers unload you at the drop off. In the state of Wisconsin they offer a weekly guarantee and hire new students, as well as those with a CDL but no experience.

I’m confused. Did you say Veriha would hire you?

If so, what are you waiting for?

If you have a good company like Veriha or any other major company willing to hire you, I would jump on it, regardless of commitment. The longer you keep shopping around, the worse your chances of being hired will get.

Your commitment will pass quickly and at that point you will have experience and will be able to shop around if you are unhappy.

Thanks Grumpy! JUST SPOKE WITH Daedra from Veriha. (I think she pronounced it Ver-EYE-ya)...

Programs look great (both training phase and full employment). Need to do their assessment and qualification process but if they will have me my search is probably over.

(Need to find an even earlier Opthamologist appointment to make their 10/14 class, otherwise next one is 2 weeks later).