I'm no expert on the CBD infused stuff and I don't know how to post links, but there's a video on CDL life's website, and yeah... it's a no go pretty much.
Have you looked into Swift or CFI or ROEHL?
There's also FFE and KLLM (Just don't lease....they lean toward that.)
Grand finale... Western Express?
^^^^ Our veteran OLD SCHOOL got his start with W.E. and rocks the HECK outta trucking now. Not sure if your hip issue would be conducive to flatbed or not; just my two pennies.
Best wishes; slay that dragon! Anne
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Lose the cannabis/cdb products for at least 90 days, longer if you have long hair.
Apply to every company that provides schooling.
Dear Hopeless in Rhode Island,
You are doomed to hopelessness. It's brought on by your own ineffective thought processes. They never lead you out of the fog you live in. I'm starting to think you enjoy being hopeless. At least when you're hopeless you don't have to commit to anything difficult. That seems to work for you.
Listen to your own words. Let's start with this gem from 6 years ago...
I am ready to commit to truck driving as a career, any recommendations in the Ri/Ma area for schooling or cdl sponsored companies. Please don't suggest NETTS, I've done my research not interested in their program.
NETTS has a very reliable training program. We've seen a lot of drivers go through various NETTS schools and go on to enjoy a professional driving career. It's not for you though - you know better than the professionals here from whom you seek advice. You like to ask for advice, and then dictate how it should be given. That's really bad form for somebody serious about improving their life, but it's a pattern with you.
See if you find this odd - I do. After Brett tried to help you with some info on companies you should consider you make this statement...
I applied to some and some I didn't because they didn't fit my criteria of what I was looking for.
That sounds logical to you, but then listen to what you tell us about the ones you applied to...
Will-Trans (my top choice) denied me because of gaps in employment. I tried reaching out to the recruiter to see what I could do to provide the company with evidence and explain my situation. Never received a return phone call or email, Ouch!
I applied to TMC they didn't even bother. Not even a thank you no thank you email.
I called USA truck they no longer offer company-sponsored training. I called Millis transport they hire in Connecticut and Massachusetts but not Rhode Island. Unreal,
I'll tell you what's unreal. You're approach to this is totally unreal. It's incomprehensible to me. You really don't want to do this do you? It's pretty comfortable staying in your dilemma. At least you can talk smack about the companies unwilling to hire you. It all sounded fine to you to not apply to the companies that didn't meet "your criteria," but it's "unreal" when you can't seem to meet their criteria. These companies have standards - thus far you've come up short.
I'm talking straight with you because I've been where you are. I have a list of companies that rejected me that's longer than your two arms put together. In addition to that list I got sent home from three different orientations. I discussed all this stuff here in this forum without ever losing hope or bad mouthing any companies that rejected me. I persevered, I did whatever it took, and I started my career at a well known company that everyone on the internet claimed was criminally negligent in the way they treated their drivers.
Guess what I'm still doing today? That's right - I'm still one happy camper driving a big rig all across the country. I couldn't be happier with my choices. I did what had to be done.
Take my advice. It ain't easy getting on a bull. It's even harder staying on. But nobody rides him without making the hard decision to just get on there and make something happen.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
Thanks Anne A, I'll keep knocking on doors. See where It takes me. Unfortunately the companies you mentioned above. I will have to wait a bit, because of the drug testing policy.
Grumpy - I stopped taking the capsules in July but since I am husky guy it takes a little bit longer to metabolize so that's why I want to wait longer just to be on the safe side. thanks for the input.
Old School. Sir, I think you misunderstood me in some of my context. But you're absolutely right!!! On everything you have mentioned above. And I thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I have no quarrels with any trucking company. I simply stated what Ive run into so far in this process. Since I am new to all this, thats why I came one here to air out my concerns. To me honestly it doesn't matter the name on the side truck because I am a rookie, I just need to worry about surviving my first year. What I meant about trucking companies not fitting my criteria is that I wish not to do team driving. Which some of the company cdl sponsored companies only offers. Believe me I will prevail, and thanks for the kick in the ass. no wonder they call it trucking truth
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
So here is my story; I joined trucking truth 6 years ago. I would religiously read everything and anything on this site to have a better understanding of the trucking industry, and to make sure this is what I wanted to do once they cleared me to go back to work.
Back story: In 2013 at the age of 30 I came down with an undisclosed illness that required me to have 4 hip surgeries ending with joint replacements. It was hell and I honestly thought I would never walk again because of the nature of the illness. I asked a few folks on here what they suggested for CDL training like always someone on here is always willing to help and I took the info and ran with it. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. So I kinda gave up.
In July 2017 they cleared me to go back to work, I wanted to pursue my trucking dream again but again I had setbacks with my health and financial situation was in a bad place. So I did odds and ends jobs to save up money to purchase a vehicle.
Fast-forward to November 2018, I bought a car and started to do Uber. Since then until the present, I continue to do Uber because driving is the only thing that does not impair me from earning a living.
If you look at me, you would never know that I've had 4 surgeries or been through what I've been through. I walk normal no limps no nothing. I've talked to my primary care physician about my pursuit in this career and also my surgeon. And the both have given me the green light to go for it.
Three weeks ago I came back on here to fully give it my all to see where I could land and begin my journey like many truthers have done. Brett Kindly reached out and put me on to some companies that were matches in my area. Some I applied to some and some I didn't because I didn't fit my criteria of what I was looking for.
I'll talk about the ones I've applied to, Will-Trans (my top choice) denied me because of gaps in employment. I tried reaching out to the recruiter to see what I could do to provide the company with evidence and explain my situation. Never received a return phone call or email, Ouch!
I applied to TMC they didn't even bother. Not even a thank you no thank you email. I don't give up easy, In my state there is only 3 CDL schools. Ready for this? One charges over $10,000 for tuition with a minimum of 6-month training. They have a terrible reputation as well.
The other one the guy tells me if I pay the tuition upfront I would get a discount, I went to go pay the tuition with a bank check and turns around and belittles me in front of other people in the room that the payment had to be in cash only and then breaks my balls for not having a local bank. Honestly that's shady and at that point, I kinda lost trust in what kinda business they're running over there. I am sorry I am paying customer I don't deserve to be treated like a second class citizen.
And the last school is union represented the director is never there. I've been there 3 times personally to try to sign up and talk to him and he is never around. They keep telling me to call him and pester him. What? seriously, I've called and left voicemails and no phone call back nothing. I went to a neighboring school in Massachusetts but they could only offer private lessons. I don't think that's adequate training for someone with no experience.
I called USA truck they no longer offer company-sponsored training. I called Millis transport they hire in Connecticut and Massachusetts but not Rhode Island. Unreal, I filled out an app with driver solutions to see if I can get on with PAM. No phone call no email nothing.
I feel very discouraged and disappointed. If anyone on here can throw me some more ideas or throw this kid a bone. I would really appreciate it. Because I am allergic to some pain meds, I have used cannabis-infused capsules for pain management. I don't smoke or anything of that nature. I just tried different ways to manage pain. which I have stopped and switch over to over counter meds. So I wouldn't qualify for any hair follicle testing until the end of November. I can only do companies that test for urine. I'll have no issues. I hope someone out there can give me a chance. That's all I am looking for. Thanks for taking the time and reading my story.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices