Apply everywhere you can at this point and see which companies are willing to hire you.
I was on the fence of going to a local school vs. paid company training. I choose the company training and was unable to grasp backing in week 2 and was given a sugar coating of we'll let you out without owing us a penny. So I have a nice 2 week employment "termination" on my DAC report.
I passed my CDL exam on Wednesday and graduated on Thursday from a local school 160 hour course.
It seems like since covid is easing, applicants are soaring.
Not sure if that's the reason I'm getting the cold shoulder from a few companies right now?
Was pretty excited and proud of myself for pushing through that difficult time and getting my CDL.
with such a high pool of applicants right now, not sure if many are willing to take a chance on me?
Apply everywhere you can at this point and see which companies are willing to hire you.
Yep, start here:
Did you apply to CFI, too? Western Express? I've got a few more if you run low on luck with all the above.
Best wishes!
~ Anne ~
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
Operating While Intoxicated
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
It seems like since covid is easing, applicants are soaring.
Nah, it only seems that way. Trust me, things will look a lot different after you get your first job.
While some of the folks where laid off or otherwise idled did spend their free government money on training to get a better job, a lot more drivers retired sooner than planned because they were in a high-risk category for death by Covid. For almost a year truck driving schools and DMV offices were shut down and still have reduced capacity in many locations. I recently got my medical certificate renewed. On the day the new certificate was issued I emailed an image of it to the DMV and the doctor faxed it in. Good thing I got it done early because it took the WA DMV more than 30 days to log it!
With the promise of vaccines ending the Covid threat freight rates are booming and won't be coming down again any time soon. There's still a driver shortage and will be for the foreseeable future.
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Apply everywhere you can at this point and see which companies are willing to hire you.
Yep, start here:
Did you apply to CFI, too? Western Express? I've got a few more if you run low on luck with all the above.
Best wishes!
~ Anne ~
I went from only 1 interest to now they're all on my ass. Must be a back log. Now I have to many options. lol.
I'm leaning towards Schneider. I like the 2 weeks on campus and 1 week otr training.
One company has a 4 day orientation and 6 weeks otr training,, where the trainer drives and you're weaned on your hours. But they want $3,500 for the training. Is this just foolish and a waste of money? Having read ton s of post s on here. My trainer is not going to hold my hand and put up with mistakes.
I want the most training I can get before I go solo. Trying to find the best fit and taking my time since I have a 2 week termination 3 month s ago for failed training at a company school.
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.
Apply everywhere you can at this point and see which companies are willing to hire you.
Yep, start here:
Did you apply to CFI, too? Western Express? I've got a few more if you run low on luck with all the above.
Best wishes!
~ Anne ~
I went from only 1 interest to now they're all on my ass. Must be a back log. Now I have to many options. lol.
I'm leaning towards Schneider. I like the 2 weeks on campus and 1 week otr training.
One company has a 4 day orientation and 6 weeks otr training,, where the trainer drives and you're weaned on your hours. But they want $3,500 for the training. Is this just foolish and a waste of money? Having read ton s of post s on here. My trainer is not going to hold my hand and put up with mistakes.
I want the most training I can get before I go solo. Trying to find the best fit and taking my time since I have a 2 week termination 3 month s ago for failed training at a company school.
See??? The Covid crap may have caused a 'backlog' of 'processing applicants' paperwork,' but NOTHING else.
Not sure who's wanting that kind of money for training; are you talking about the Knight/Squire/Top Gun training? SO many companies have changed their training regimes since the pandemic, it's hard to keep up.... (and I REALLY try!)
If SNI feels good, GO FOR IT! So MANY of our peeps on TT got started there. It IS a shorter training program, but it works! Look at Jared's diaries, for instance. Sadly, he's since 'opted out' with being a company driver, but his training was well documented, as are others.
So much research, that's why we're here!
Click here, and then... click on Schneider (and any OTHER companies/diaries you may be interested in..) It's WAY better than INDEEED, as you'll see.
Congrats~!! It's a great feeling when "Everybody Wants You." Ask Billy Squier, haha!
Keep us posted;
~ Anne ~
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.
You've told of one named company: Schneider. If you tell us other named companies, we can offer a lot more guidance to you. " They charge $3500" isn't enough to go on.
You've told of one named company: Schneider. If you tell us other named companies, we can offer a lot more guidance to you. " They charge $3500" isn't enough to go on.
Hirschbach- 4 day orientation. OTR with a trainer for 6 weeks. Dedicated Cargill account. $3,500 which is completely forgiven in 36 weeks with the company.
Prime Stevens TransAm Roehl Swift
I'm leaning dedicated.
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.
I see a lot of trucks for all those companies out here, but that doesn't mean anything about the company nor the training. Two I would avoid are Trans Am and Stevens.
Swift is the largest truckload carrier in the nation. Prime has many members on here that should chime in.
Two things: we HIGHLY discourage leasing. Don't Do It! The other thing is why are you leaning towards a dedicated account?
I see a lot of trucks for all those companies out here, but that doesn't mean anything about the company nor the training. Two I would avoid are Trans Am and Stevens.
Swift is the largest truckload carrier in the nation. Prime has many members on here that should chime in.
Two things: we HIGHLY discourage leasing. Don't Do It! The other thing is why are you leaning towards a dedicated account?
I want the familiarity/routine starting out. I'm sure I'm overthinking it and I could be wrong. I guess being OTR could be better for a newbie. more driving and fewer stops.
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.
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
I was on the fence of going to a local school vs. paid company training. I choose the company training and was unable to grasp backing in week 2 and was given a sugar coating of we'll let you out without owing us a penny. So I have a nice 2 week employment "termination" on my DAC report.
I passed my CDL exam on Wednesday and graduated on Thursday from a local school 160 hour course.
It seems like since covid is easing, applicants are soaring.
Not sure if that's the reason I'm getting the cold shoulder from a few companies right now?
Was pretty excited and proud of myself for pushing through that difficult time and getting my CDL.
with such a high pool of applicants right now, not sure if many are willing to take a chance on me?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.