Witte Bros. (something New To Me)

I spoke with a recruiter from Witte Bros. and he told me that if invited to orientation, I would have to pay my own way to their terminal in Missouri and no mention of reimbursement. What are your thoughts on a company not providing transportation to orientation?

So as not to burn a bridge, I told him that this would not be a deal breaker but it could be a deciding factor in choosing a company.

So as not to burn a bridge, I told him that this would not be a deal breaker but it could be a deciding factor in choosing a company.

I told the recruiter this because I was asked if I would be ok with paying for my own transportation. I believe in being completely honest with a recruiter in the same way that I hope that the recruiter is completely honest with me.

I suppose it depends on how badly you want to work for that company. After I got my CDL , I had to get from Billings, MT, to Houston on my dime, to begin orientation and tanker training with Schneider. I knew that’s what I wanted to do and who I wanted to work for, so I didn’t think anything of it. “No regrats.” If you have a shortlist of companies you’re considering and are having a hard time differentiating between them of just don’t care who you work for, then sure, use that to help with your decision. It’s really not a big deal.

Let's say I was looking for a job, OD offers me one but says I have to pay my own way to Thomasville NC to attend orientation. The other offer is from Central Transport and they offer to fly me to Michigan to attend their orientation.

Guess which one I pick 100% of the time?? That's correct OD. Orientation is such a brief event in your career picking a company based off it alone is foolish to say the least.

You complain nobody will hire you. Then someone offers to but won't roll out the red carpet and you turn up your nose.

I suppose it depends on how badly you want to work for that company. After I got my CDL , I had to get from Billings, MT, to Houston on my dime, to begin orientation and tanker training with Schneider. I knew that’s what I wanted to do and who I wanted to work for, so I didn’t think anything of it. “No regrats.” If you have a shortlist of companies you’re considering and are having a hard time differentiating between them of just don’t care who you work for, then sure, use that to help with your decision. It’s really not a big deal.

I actually thought that Schneider paid for -- or at least reimbursed -- transportation expenses. But, that is neither here nor there.

This question is not about what I will choose to do or not choose to do. I am asking what others think about companies that don't pay for transportation to orientation when many companies do. I used my personal experience in speaking with this recruiter to springboard into the question.

Let's say I was looking for a job, OD offers me one but says I have to pay my own way to Thomasville NC to attend orientation. The other offer is from Central Transport and they offer to fly me to Michigan to attend their orientation.

Guess which one I pick 100% of the time?? That's correct OD. Orientation is such a brief event in your career picking a company based off it alone is foolish to say the least.

You complain nobody will hire you. Then someone offers to but won't roll out the red carpet and you turn up your nose.

I have not complained that no one will hire me. Not sure where you got that from. I have been outside the US for 3 months and just recently returned to the US. I started posting about a month ago that I was looking at giving another shot at entering the trucking industry. I started submitting applications to companies while outside the US so that I upon my return I would already have the applications submitted and contact with recruiters via messaging and emails begun. I have had better than expected response to my applications with the companies still giving me consideration. Just as I had hoped, my accident from June 2020 is not really a factor like it was when I completed CDL school at the end of June 2020. I don't expect anything from any company other than treat my application the same as any other prospective driver without experience. Either I will be given an opportunity to attend orientation or I won't.

I never said that I won't choose Witte Bros. I spoke honestly with the recruiter in saying that transportation not being covered would be a factor. Let's say I have offers to attend orientation from Witte Bros, CFI, Butler Transport, and Tyson Foods (currently have applications with all of them that are in various stages of vetting process), it would be a tough choice between CFI and Tyson Foods. CFI, Tyson Foods, and Butler Transport have all informed me that transportation to orientation is either paid for or reimbursed. But, it's not because of the transportation that I view this about those companies. CFI and Tyson Foods are both great companies that have great opportunities for CDL holders without experience. They both have excellent training programs.

So far, I have 9 companies that are working my application. Witte Bros has not yet invited me to orientation. Application is still needing to be approved by safety.

I totally respect what you are saying about not letting that one thing be a reason to turn down a great opportunity. I agree with that, and I don't believe that I am doing this.

I actually thought that Schneider paid for -- or at least reimbursed -- transportation expenses. But, that is neither here nor there.

Once you are hired, from day one of orientation forward, yes, Schneider takes care of all transportation expenses. But prior to day one, I paid my own way to get there. That was nearly 5 years ago, and at that time they did not have their own CDL score, as they do now. So it’s possible that at this time they do provide transportation to their CDL school or to orientation. My point was that I consider the issue a non-factor. One thing I left out is that if one is completely destitute and cannot afford getting to a company’s facility under their own steam, paid transport would be convenient. All of the companies you mentioned are good companies; we all know how good CFI is through Big Scott. I have a friend who works for Tysons, he loves it there.

It seems I still don’t know how to use the quotes feature of this site.

I actually thought that Schneider paid for -- or at least reimbursed -- transportation expenses. But, that is neither here nor there.

Once you are hired, from day one of orientation forward, yes, Schneider takes care of all transportation expenses. But prior to day one, I paid my own way to get there. That was nearly 5 years ago, and at that time they did not have their own CDL score, as they do now. So it’s possible that at this time they do provide transportation to their CDL school or to orientation. My point was that I consider the issue a non-factor. One thing I left out is that if one is completely destitute and cannot afford getting to a company’s facility under their own steam, paid transport would be convenient. All of the companies you mentioned are good companies; we all know how good CFI is through Big Scott. I have a friend who works for Tysons, he loves it there.

It seems I still don’t know how to use the quotes feature of this site.

Ok, I get what you are saying. I appreciate your insight. It really did help me put things in perspective when I took a moment to think on the point that you were making.

Thank you for using your own experience to teach me something.

Hey Kerry, I think a company paying for transportation is beyond nice. For me it wouldn't be a deal breaker if they didn't. I honestly was shocked to hear that companies actually do reimburse. My thoughts on that is what other job in other fields would do that? I'm guessing not many. Most of the time it's on you to get to them. Just my opinion on the matter.

Good luck with your search, make sure you pick one that you feel is best overall for your career

Hey Kerry, I think a company paying for transportation is beyond nice. For me it wouldn't be a deal breaker if they didn't. I honestly was shocked to hear that companies actually do reimburse. My thoughts on that is what other job in other fields would do that? I'm guessing not many. Most of the time it's on you to get to them. Just my opinion on the matter.

Good luck with your search, make sure you pick one that you feel is best overall for your career

Thank you much for the response.

I get your point when comparing trucking companies to other industries. Not to be argumentative, but I do think that the trucking industry is a bit unique compared to most other industries and this the reason why many trucking companies provide things like transportation.