Advice Needed For New Rookie Getting First Job

This has gotten off the original topic so this is all ill say on it. It's perceived that way because of how it's almost as if he's trying to sell us on the company. It comes across as a sales pitch because there have been times somebody will say they're starting at ABC trucking on Monday but he'll stop in and tell them to instead apply at CFI. I get it, we're all busy and may not have much time to contribute. But when every post that is made is how great CFI is its easy to question intentions. I'm glad CFI is working out for them but as we always say it boils down to the driver. I have no doubt he'd be successful at any company out there. You have alot of knowledge that would be very helpful to new drivers.

I feel that as a forum trying to help new drivers succeed it's not right to tell someone what the right company is. Most of us encourage potential drivers to apply everywhere and see who bites. Its worth informing them of potential negatives to save them time if it's a deal breaker such as teaming, type of freight, lower pay etc. The same experience he's had there is great, but it's misleading because there's drivers at every company getting that treatment.

It's great that CFI has worked with you to create a dedicated lane. However, let's not forget that you planned on leaving CFI before your unexpected time away from the truck because they wouldn't work with you.

As far as the claim info is outdated: yes, there are some things that are outdated. With the amount of information here and how frequently things change it's not hard to understand why.

Happy New Year everyone!

My school's policy is no recruiting or prospecting on the yard.

I asked my driver trainers about opportunities for work.

I was told they like to wait to see how students work out before making personal recommendations. I can see why they would do this.

They have access to doors I never knew existed.

Thanks again for the advice here.

Dave wrote:

They have access to doors I never knew existed.

Please indulge us... like what? A secret sauce? A super-secret list of choice opportunities?

So the trainers decide who us worthy of a referral? Sorry... this makes no sense at all; never heard of “no recruiters allowed” at a private school.

Thanks PackRat. I agree 100%

Ditto. Another day, another recruitment ad. It's quite nauseating, and counter to the objective lessons the rest of us here try to teach.

Happy New Year everyone!

My school's policy is no recruiting or prospecting on the yard.

I asked my driver trainers about opportunities for work.

I was told they like to wait to see how students work out before making personal recommendations. I can see why they would do this.

They have access to doors I never knew existed.

Thanks again for the advice here.

Any updates, Dave? How's school going???? Just wondering. You left us w/ a cliffhanger! LoL ...

Best to ya!

~ Anne ~

I got my CDL-A and all endorsements last week.

My school found me a good job. The other drivers I spoke with really enjoy the company. It's a smaller company of about 3k trailers. Starting pay is 50 cpm. It's part regional with local work. Run 1 regional a week then local for 3-5 days. Alternate regional loads with other drivers to make sure everyone gets plenty of home time. More regional runs if you want them to make a little more. Depends on what the driver wants but the company insists that everyone get adequate home time or paid time off.

They have freight forwarding contracts so I have the option to get into Port Houston drayage which is what I want to do.

I need to head to TSA/IdentoGo for the HME fingerprinting this morning.

Have a great day everyone and thank you for all of the suggestions!

Dave wrote:

They have access to doors I never knew existed.

Please indulge us... like what? A secret sauce? A super-secret list of choice opportunities?

So the trainers decide who us worthy of a referral? Sorry... this makes no sense at all; never heard of “no recruiters allowed” at a private school.

I found out that it depends on the driver, their MVR , criminal records and such. Cleaner drivers get put into better opportunities. Drivers with some blemishes get into other opportunities. Everyone gets a job if they need help finding one. Most of the folks there were under contract for the megas already. I was self pay so I didn't know what to do.

The no recruiters on the yard bit was because it's also a Texas DOT testing facility. That's the reason for that. Maybe insurance or liability I don't know. That's what I was told. Everyone can be scheduled to meet with a recruiter off the yard however.

I got my CDL-A and all endorsements last week.

My school found me a good job. The other drivers I spoke with really enjoy the company. It's a smaller company of about 3k trailers. Starting pay is 50 cpm. It's part regional with local work. Run 1 regional a week then local for 3-5 days. Alternate regional loads with other drivers to make sure everyone gets plenty of home time. More regional runs if you want them to make a little more. Depends on what the driver wants but the company insists that everyone get adequate home time or paid time off.

They have freight forwarding contracts so I have the option to get into Port Houston drayage which is what I want to do.

I need to head to TSA/IdentoGo for the HME fingerprinting this morning.

Have a great day everyone and thank you for all of the suggestions!

Congrats, Dave !! Best wishes to ya; TOLD you so, hahahaha!

3K trailers isn't exactly small... unless you've only got 30 tractors or so, LoL! Care to share?

Either way we wish you the best. Looks like you found your niche; glad you stuck it out.

Kudos, for sure! Stay 'company!' :)

~ Anne ~

Went to get my HM Enrollment done. Sat there for an hour past my appointment time. They finally called my name. The receptionist marked my appointment wrong when I signed in upon arrival. The lady that was supposed to do my prints says "Oh no I don't do HM here." Takes me back to the front desk. The lady that checked me in then proceeded to berate me in front of all the drivers there telling me I did it wrong and missed my time so I would have to reschedule.

If there's one thing I've learned in life there is nothing worse than a minimum wage employee given authority over a position of security or admission to premises.

Oh well. I apologized to everyone in line for holding them up. From the looks on their faces they understood completely. Some shaking their heads in affirmation of my lost cause.

Rescheduled for tomorrow 75 miles away in another location.

As for the company I follow the principles of trust but verify. I will believe them until they give me a reason not to. They don't force people to go O/O. From what I understand I think the rules are different for that type of work (port dray) in that I would need to be the responsible party. I'm not really sure. I will figure it out as I go. They seem more than happy to keep me on as a company driver and there are many there that only want to do company work.

I'm ok with that too for now. Other than that I don't know much about it. It's like a military operation. Hurry up to get all my credentials submitted. Now waiting. XD

I may start a diary on here if I can find the time once I start working.

I hope you all are having a great day!

So I didn't get the regional position that I was told I'd be hired for during my interview.

Instead I will be going straight to port work. Drug test in the morning then start perhaps next week.

There's no guaranteed mileage pay. They pay percent of load.

That's terrible because that's the work I wanted to do in the first place! :0)