Getting My CDL

I've had hell getting this done. I started trying with CR England, the reps didn't innerstand my concerns with leaving a long tenured job and taking a pay cut with the possibility of making more. Each time I talk to a marketing rep called recruiter, it's the same script and they PRIME, SCHNEIDER, SWIFT, CRST(I DECLINED FLAT OUT), try to get me to drive on jobs other than what the sites say. Then it feels like a railroad team driving off the rip. Any advice?

Welcome to Trucking Truth.

Anger… why? Without knowing much about you, I’d say it’s possible your expectations are unrealistic.

For starters; what is it you want that no company is offering?

Second; no entry level driver is paid top dollar. This business is about performance, top performers make top money. It takes a year or two to absorb the learning curve required for efficiency and safety. First year you can expect 45-60k depending on how quickly you ramp-up.

Third; this is about driving. What differed from their websites vs what the recruiters were telling you?

Please give specifics and details.

If you are serious I urge you to read this:

Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving

Think about what you want after reading the above link and we’ll help you understand how to get there and approximately how long it will take. No BS on here, only the truth.

In the meantime, chill on taking shots at 4 of the best carriers in the US. Many of us on this forum have driven for one of those companies and many of us still do.

Welcome, Derrick

the reps didn't innerstand my concerns with leaving a long tenured job and taking a pay cut with the possibility of making more.

No, they just don't care. No offense Derrick, but you're only one of perhaps hundreds of phone calls they make or receive every week, and every call has a story. They are simply not concerned with your story.

Each time I talk to a marketing rep called recruiter

What exactly do you think of recruiter is supposed to do? Their job is to market their company and bring in new hires. Nothing more.

it's the same script

That's because they're all doing the same thing: hiring drivers to haul freight from point A to point B. It's the same script.

they.....try to get me to drive on jobs other than what the sites say.

There's nothing requiring you to accept those jobs. It's common for some companies to try to put you on certain accounts or lease programs. You can decline these offers, and ask to be put on regular OTR.

Then it feels like a railroad team driving off the rip.

I'm not even sure what that means lol.

Any advice?

Realize that you bring absolutely nothing to the table right now. You're a drop in a bucket in an industry where 90% or more of applicants wash out before their first year is up.

Come into this industry with a humble attitude and eager to learn. No one is out to get you, but they're not going to go out of their way to help you either. You only get that after you prove yourself.

Hey Derrick, So it wasn’t long ago I was at the same starting point. Best advice- probably shouldn’t put companies on blast right out of the gate. You have to realize that none of these companies need you. They don’t need you, they didn’t need me, and they don’t need the hundreds of people applying every single day. They are in the position of being able to reject anyone on spec. Why? Because they have 100 people just like us lined up right behind us. Next thing is without any sort of driving experience don’t expect to make top dollar starting out. Absolutely everyone on here will tell you the same thing- this is a performance based job. You want more? Then put in the time, the miles, and the dependability to show you rate more.

Gotta be humble. These recruiters aren’t going to beg you to join their company. Honestly, you aren’t bringing anything to the table. I retired after 22 years in the fire service and you know what? I didnt bring anything to the table. Be humble and get your foot in the door. Be humble. Be humble. Be humble. Really can’t stress that enough. Nobody is saying grovel or beg, but recognize you aren’t holding the high hand right now. If this is something you really want to do then go in knowing you’ll take a financial hit, but be determined to make it a short term thing and work to make that top dollar.

I can only respond about Schneider and the comment made that the recruiter tried to get you to take a different job than what was posted on the site.

Did you actually go through the process of using your zip/address to see what job options were available for your current address? Did you apply to the specific job you were interested in? (If you did the recruiter would be calling you to discuss that specific job).

For Schneider if the job you were interested in is showing available for your address make sure it’s shows available via the CAT program. The CAT program is their paid training program. Not all jobs that are available offer the CAT program.

You can transfer after 90 days, to whatever openings they have for your location.

Good luck.

This is one industry where most of your previous job experience, income, status, associates, where you attended school, where you live, etc have absolutely ZERO bearing on your success. These include completing training for the CDL , being hired, learning your craft, and associated pay increases that go along with these.

Don't put all your eggs in one (or even several) baskets. There are plenty of good companies training and then hiring inexperienced drivers. The largest major difference will be the platform (dry van, reefer , tanker, etc) and the company name on the door.

REALLY?……… The statistic is 90% wash out first year? No wonder these recruiters sound so monotonous when reading their scripts to us want-to-be newbies. I mastered the high rise window cleaning industry and all it’s quirks, then the fall protection industry with all it’s quirks, became a damn good pilot but that’s something never “mastered” but stayed alive through a declared emergency or 2.

Oh, things I don’t even know that I “don’t know” about trucking are miles ahead of me but I am looking forward to learning them too.

There are so many tools and resources available to Trucking Truth members…

Jon I strongly suggest reading this if you haven’t already:

Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving

REALLY?……… The statistic is 90% wash out first year? No wonder these recruiters sound so monotonous when reading their scripts to us want-to-be newbies. I mastered the high rise window cleaning industry and all it’s quirks, then the fall protection industry with all it’s quirks, became a damn good pilot but that’s something never “mastered” but stayed alive through a declared emergency or 2.

Oh, things I don’t even know that I “don’t know” about trucking are miles ahead of me but I am looking forward to learning them too.

REALLY?……… The statistic is 90% wash out first year?

I train at Prime. Of the 26 new students I trained in the last year, 7 either quit or got fired (2 due to medical issues).

The number 1 reason people quit? Unrealistic Expectations. They came into trucking not realizing how hard it would be to stay away from home. They couldn't deal with flipping work clocks from day to night. They couldn't deal with a hurry up and wait mentality. They expected it to be easy without any physical stress. They just complain about everything. And they expect to make $2000 per week right away.

I would LOVE to hear anything Prime told you that was a bait and switch from the website. Since I work at the main terminal and know these people personally, I would love your comments.