CDL Training - Company And Schools Not Responding - Tips?

Hello again, everyone! Boy, has it been a struggle the last month or so! I've been trying to get my birth certificate sent from Alaska, and finally got that sorted out end of last week. I've been putting in applications and contacting schools, but I'm not hearing much back. I have a fairly solid work history, and no criminal record/driving offenses. Does anyone have tips on how to stand out? I'm open to just about any company that will provide schooling with a commitment, I just want to get my foot in the door. Please let me know if you have any questions or tips. Thanks!

Companies have slowed waaay down on hiring due to the downward spiral of the economy. Apply everywhere and near the 30 day mark, apply again. The trucking companies can be choosy, so seriously consider whoever you hear from.

Laura

Rick, Laura is 100% correct. Even experienced drivers are having difficulty getting hired unless they have a spotless record. Most drivers who already have a job are just staying put right now.

Through no fault of your own, the timing stinks because it’s not a driver’s market right now. But be patient, persistent and don’t give up. Best of luck with your efforts.

Thank you so much, Laura and BK! I appreciate your input. Today I was finally able to switch my driver's license from Indiana to Oklahoma. I've been waiting weeks for my birth certificate to get sorted by Alaska's Vital Statistics office, and mailed to me. While I was at the DMV , the Swift recruiter called me. When I was finished, I gave him a call back with the new license #. Within minutes, I had an offer to attend the academy here in OKC, and a conditional offer of employment afterward!

I've seen a lot of people talk poorly about Swift, but I understand that they are a massive company. There is bound to be good and bad. And I'm new to the field, I can't afford to pick and choose my 'favorites'. It's time to buckle down, work hard, and pay my dues. In a year or two, if I don't remain with Swift, I'll look at other companies. But who knows, maybe Swift and I will be great together! I try to look at things in a positive light. So I'm going into this with my head held high and expecting work my rear end off to prove myself. I may have more questions in the future, and I'll most definitely start a thread in the diaries section of the forum when the time comes!

Great news Rick, good luck with Swift, ya can't believe all you read or hear about ANY trucking company. You have to experience and see things for yourself. I didn't want to drive teams when I started in 2019. But after wasting too many months at a local school, I went another route. I went with CRST, 1) their terminal here in So Cali is like 45 miles from me then 2) they had dorms to stay in, which having NO $$ was better to stay there, than drive every morning/evening. 3) the payroll deduction started once you had your team truck and was repaid in under 3 months @ $25 a week.

I did go thru 3 co drivers, who wouldn't drive much, til I found a guy that I meshed with,and drove together my last year and a half there with. We became friends and he lived midway to the terminal, some times I went and hung out with him and his family.

Yes at first @ 31 cents a mile with 1 cent monthly boosts, finally before I left, was @ 60 cpm. We always had long runs and got in at least 6,000 miles a week, if not more at times.

So in those 22 months at CRST I saw they were NOT as bad as many people said. Those who whined and belly ached weren't worth much and some I seen in the terminal more than on the roads lol. 60% of the hires then couldn't handle it, or got cut loose the first 3 days failing drug tests.

And YES Swift is 1 of the Mega carriers, with plenty of trucks and trailers out there, they can't be too bad to still be in the "game"

Rick hears things:

I've seen a lot of people talk poorly about Swift, but I understand that they are a massive company. There is bound to be good and bad.

Yes they are one of the largest freight companies in the US. I drove for Swift for three years. I have no complaints. I have moved on to other trucking things (CDL instructor) but I would have no problem getting into a Swift truck again. Also G-Town will sooner or later drop in to tell of his Swift experience. You will be in good company.

Great news Rick, good luck with Swift, ya can't believe all you read or hear about ANY trucking company. You have to experience and see things for yourself.

This is absolutely true! With everywhere I've ever worked. I'm going into this with zero expectations or pre-conceived notions of what the company is like. As I said, I'm here to pay my dues and work hard. Thanks for sharing, I love hearing about everyone's experiences in the industry.

CONGRATULATIONS Rick S.!

Stay humble and patient. When things on one day seem insurmountable, remember that feeling is temporary and in a year, whatever the obstacle is won't matter.

Again, CONGRATULATIONS!

CONGRATULATIONS Rick S.!

Stay humble and patient. When things on one day seem insurmountable, remember that feeling is temporary and in a year, whatever the obstacle is won't matter.

Again, CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you! I plan on doing just that. I won't go into this thinking I know everything. That's a recipe for disaster! I'm excited, and looking forward to the next steps in the process.

Errol making a prediction…

Also G-Town will sooner or later drop in to tell of his Swift experience. You will be in good company.

Let’s call it “sooner”… rather than later.

I agree with what Errol said and several others. I reached Diamond Status with Swift, trained with them and stayed with them for 8ish years. I’d do it all over again, same way.

Good luck!