Does Being A School Grad Increase Chances Of Being Hired?

Garrett, here's the well known secret of CDL training schools:

CDL training schools are designed to train students to get their CDL

Nothing more, nothing less. And some career advice: stop jumping around trying to grab the next shiny object. Private school, "one-on-one training" with a rental company, CRST, Wilson Logistics, all those, it seems in the last four days. What's next for this afternoon?

When you committed the to private school, you got on the hook for the $2.5k - $3.5k tuition, then you want to bail on that for something you think might be "quicker"? Rather than getting lost in these weeds, set your goal, decide how you'll get to it, and do not jump around.

What is the logic or reasoning behind that?!? The only possible reason I can think of is they want their trainees "fresh", "pure" and "untainted" by an training program that isn't theirs??? 

You answered your own question, Garrett. Have you ever tried to teach someone when they come in with an idea of how to do things? It's frustrating for all parties involved. Now, when something is expedited and they don't have time for you to forget what you've learned thus far, it's a hassle.

That should tell them they're missing out on hiring a HIGHLY dedicated new recruit.

Everybody says they're a highly dedicated recruit starting out. Not saying you're not, but they hear it so often it loses all meaning. They have their criteria and their rules. That's the only thing that matters. You'd be surprised how many people jump in saying they're willing to do whatever it takes and 2 months later they're going home or 6 months later, they're looking for a company that'll hire somebody with 3 months experience.

I'm considering calling him tomorrow to do some light begging because needless to say I'm pretty bummed and a little angry. 

Is this because you're in school or for the DUI? If they can't hire you until 2022 because of the DUI , there's no point in contacting them. Your application is only good for 30-60 days depending on the company. They won't say ok today for 2022. You'd have to wait until then to apply.

My advice, finish school and get hired with whoever will hire you. You've set yourself up to hit some walls here. If you get your CDL now and you sit on the sidelines until 2022, Wilson is going to tell you that your CDL is staleb and they can't go anything with you. They'll tell you to get some experience or take a refresher. Take any job you can get, stick with it for a year and then apply to Wilson if that's what you want to do.

Both. But mostly because I started school before finding out about Wilson. If I hadn't, I would have just stayed in the career I'm in now until Sept 2022 when I could do their training. That way, you're guaranteed to be hired if you complete their program. Now, since I'm already in school and because of their policy, not only can I not do their program, its not guaranteed they would hire me even after getting experience with another company, and now I'm stuck in a sup-par school/training program that's definitely inferior to Wilson's. I feel like I just screwed myself.

Is there a chance that by Sept 2022 their record of me saying I'm already in school might be lost to time? So then I would be eligible their training program? I'm still considering calling the recruiter and asking if he could just do me a solid and take it off record that I told him that.

I still think its kind of a silly policy. Like, how different could the schooling be really? The skills test and requirements to get a CDL are essentially the same across the country, right? So shouldn't all schooling be essentially the same since they're all preparing you to do the exact same test? Even if Wilson does things a certain way or expects certain specific things from their employees which their training program teaches, I'm sure my schooling so far wont interfere or hasn't "brainwashed" me in any way. I've only learned straight and offset backing so far anyway.

Banks, Thanks for the advice & info though, very helpful.

Well, if all the schooling is the same what makes the program you're in subpar? Wilson feels the same way.

Is there a chance that that by 2022, your record with Wilson can be wiped out? Most likely. But there's no guarantee that wilson will take you then.

You're stuck on Wilson and I don't understand why. People rarely get into the program of their choice. The successful drivers take their in where they can get it and build from there.

If you really want to do this, then do it. Put Wilson out of your head and do what you have to do.

Garrett, here's the well known secret of CDL training schools:

CDL training schools are designed to train students to get their CDL

Nothing more, nothing less. And some career advice: stop jumping around trying to grab the next shiny object. Private school, "one-on-one training" with a rental company, CRST, Wilson Logistics, all those, it seems in the last four days. What's next for this afternoon?

When you committed the to private school, you got on the hook for the $2.5k - $3.5k tuition, then you want to bail on that for something you think might be "quicker"? Rather than getting lost in these weeds, set your goal, decide how you'll get to it, and do not jump around.

I see what your saying about jumping around. I think its all stemming from the fact that I'm constantly having second thoughts about changing careers. So my mind is like: "Well if you ARE going to change careers, you better damn well make sure you take the best route you can find."

I'm convinced Wilson would have been the right choice. I just wish I hadn't been in such a hurry to find a school, get my CDL and move out of California. That way, I would have discovered Wilson, stayed in the career I'm in now, and just waited till 2022 to to their training since I'm willing to do that. Here in southern CA the schools are so overcrowded that you often have to wait at least a month to get in. I wasn't willing to do that, so jumped on the opportunity when I found a school where I'd only have to wait two weeks.

I actually don't have to pay the remaining $2.5k unless I complete the program and go take the skills test. New Covid rules. So I'm only $1k in the hole.

Garrett codes from the Waffle House menu:

I'm constantly having second thoughts about changing careers.

Keep in mind the competitiveness most large trucking companies have to deal with:

• There is literally "tons" of freight waiting to be loaded onto trucks. (Hauling Freight = Revenue)
• For several years there have not been enough drivers to haul this freight.
• Companies have to be competitive in getting drivers.
• Companies work to "outbid" other companies for good drivers.
• Generally speaking, all large truck companies test their drivers well, as these drivers produce the revenue for the company.

So I'm sure, in a general way, Wilson is at good as Wiley Sanders is as good as Schneider, is as good as Big M is as good as Prime and so on.

Here is a list of possible candidates for you: Trucking Company Reviews. Remember, your home location compared to that company's freight lanes is more important for you than where terminals are located.

Remember, your home location compared to that company's freight lanes is more important for you than where terminals are located.

Can you elaborate on why? Are you usually able to find what a company's freight lanes are on their website? Or can you just kinda figure it out based on where their terminals are

You find out the freight lanes by asking them. Generally speaking, if they're hiring in an area, they have Freight going through there.

Whether or not a company has a terminal close to you doesn't matter. Take Wilson for example. They hire out of all 48 states, but that have terminals in Missouri and Montana (I could be wrong). Imagine if they only limited hiring to where their terminals are located. They wouldn't have many, if any, drivers.

The only terminal I have near me is Prime, but all of the megacarriers hire out of my area because there's freight going across 80, 81, 476, 95 etc. Lanes get you home, terminals do not.

New question: Does getting a CDL , but not immediately looking for a job after look bad to potential employers? Or does it just raise eyebrows? I may not start looking for a trucking job till about 3-4 months after getting my CDL.

New question: Does getting a CDL , but not immediately looking for a job after look bad to potential employers? Or does it just raise eyebrows? I may not start looking for a trucking job till about 3-4 months after getting my CDL.

At 3-4 months your CDL will most likely be viewed as stale. If I'm not mistaking, you have 60 days to start getting some experience.

This isn't set in stone for all companies, but it is how most of them view it. If you want to work for a company that will view your CDL as stale, you'll have to take a refresher course.

If you want to work for a company that will view your CDL as stale, you'll have to take a refresher course.

What does a refresher course typically consist of?