New To The Site

Hey guys! New member here. Just want to drop in and say hi.

I’m starting CDL school January 4th for 3 weeks, and then I will be signing on with Transam. I’m extremely worried about not getting a trainer from Transam and just being thrown to the wolves after a week of orientation. However, it’s the only company willing to give me a chance so far, so gotta do what I gotta do.

I did apply to Western Express last night, so maybe they will give me shot. Anyways, just wanted to say hi and get your two cents. Thank you.

Welcome to the Trucking Truth site Jason.

How many companies did you apply to before settling on TransAm?

Thanks PackRat. I have applied to every major carrier that I know of, and they all denied me for various reasons. Some of the were because of my felony in 2009 and the other were because of my careless driving in 2006.

I would also like to state that I avoided carriers that require hair follicle tests. I can do urine test just fine. I’m choosing not to wait the 3 to 6 months for the hair test because I’ve already been out of work for a month waiting to go to CDL school, and I simply cannot afford it.

Well a Western Express recruiter actually told me very recently that they're "a second chance company". They only do a 3-year look back, so if that's good enough, it sounds like a better option for ya. If you get in, their training period OTR is a solid few weeks. I guess I don't get why you'd be denied everywhere but TransAm so far when so many companies do NOT look back even 4 years... But maybe that's mainly just the MVR and the "Driver IQ" check a lot of 'em use... So you're saying that stuff as old as you say on your "criminal record" has always come up during checks, even the driving in '06, or you didn't get that far cuz you were asked, were honest and did the right thing in disclosing these, and that dis-qualified you? Hang in there, man...would like to hear what exactly happens with W.E.

Well a Western Express recruiter actually told me very recently that they're "a second chance company". They only do a 3-year look back, so if that's good enough, it sounds like a better option for ya. If you get in, their training period OTR is a solid few weeks. I guess I don't get why you'd be denied everywhere but TransAm so far when so many companies do NOT look back even 4 years... But maybe that's mainly just the MVR and the "Driver IQ" check a lot of 'em use... So you're saying that stuff as old as you say on your "criminal record" has always come up during checks, even the driving in '06, or you didn't get that far cuz you were asked, were honest and did the right thing in disclosing these, and that dis-qualified you? Hang in there, man...would like to hear what exactly happens with W.E.

Jason, I TOTALLY agree with JD, here on this one. Wholeheartedly. T/A has gotten 'odd man off' with this 'no training' stuff... and that's just nuts. Heck, I drove for 6 months on a permit in 2012 w/my hubby .. (okay a few times since, we won't talk about, hehehe..) yet in NO WAY would I be comfortable with that.

My 'supposition' as to how they succeed doing this?!?!? Newbies (fresh grasshoppers, per se) are rather quickly ... LEASE OPERATORS! Kinda like, "YAY, it's MY truck.. that I don't know HOW to handle, with this 'cool' computer tablet thingy in it . . . but but BUT ... IT'S MINE! (now, where does the key go ??)"

Again, my supposition. Chickie Monster started her career with Trans Am. Her diaries are on here, if you care to look'see. She got in when they 'still' had a skoche of training ... read for yourself .... and she's now with Cal Ark, and doesn't post here, for her monetization elsewhere. SBT, and I swear I'm not a doxxer. I just figure out the 'Rest of the Story' (Like Paul Harvey, haha!)

Best wishes, of course~!!!

~ Anne ~

'another' ps: Our legendary beloved Old School got HIS start at Western, on the flatbed side. Those diaries are available, as well. His words of wisdom are PRICELESS .. and that's how he BEGAN!!

Yeah guys. I am completely at a loss. I see all these people making at Transam without their training program, but it scares the hell out of me.

I have read old school’s posts and he is an inspiration for me, which is why I applied last night. Also, flat bed intrigues me because I don’t want to get lazy driving van.

Right now, I’m in a catch 22 position. A bird in one hand is better than two in a bush. I know I can go to transam and not get kicked out of their orientation, but I feel I am at a high risk of getting the boot with Western. Even though I feel Western is the better option.

I guess I should just wait till I hear from the recruiter at Western before I start fretting. Lol.

Bro look around see who the school has contacts with prime Schneider Werner swift all will take u look arround don’t be in a hurry trust me!!!

Hey guys! New member here. Just want to drop in and say hi.

I’m starting CDL school January 4th for 3 weeks, and then I will be signing on with Transam. I’m extremely worried about not getting a trainer from Transam and just being thrown to the wolves after a week of orientation. However, it’s the only company willing to give me a chance so far, so gotta do what I gotta do.

I did apply to Western Express last night, so maybe they will give me shot. Anyways, just wanted to say hi and get your two cents. Thank you.

Jammer a,

I’ve been looking around since August. Prime, Swift, CRST, Pam... all the major carriers will not accept me for reasons I mentioned above.

Just like "Jammer said, relax, the voyage into a trucking company isn't one to take lightly... it is allot of "red tape" but there are companies that you haven't checked that might work out IF you are willing to look.... for instance; Werner is a decent company to go for, and they train ( IF memory serves) with you having a felony you can't go past the "Canadian line", U.s.xpress, Covenant Transport, Schneider, sometime it does matter what the felony was for, but being 11 years old it shouldn't be an issue, (really) I'd request to chat with "safety" not recruiting, but this is me... Knight bought most of Swift trucks, so try them, or Riverside transport, don't do J.B.Hunt there for experienced drivers... I will chat with a buddy of mine who works at swift and let you know tomorrow sometime...K

Thanks PackRat. I have applied to every major carrier that I know of, and they all denied me for various reasons. Some of the were because of my felony in 2009 and the other were because of my careless driving in 2006.

I would also like to state that I avoided carriers that require hair follicle tests. I can do urine test just fine. I’m choosing not to wait the 3 to 6 months for the hair test because I’ve already been out of work for a month waiting to go to CDL school, and I simply cannot afford it.

.... and I swear I'm not a doxxer. .....

Anne... I'm not keeping score or anything here, but it seems you do say this quite a bit! I'm beginning to wonder..... !?! LOL