CDL Training - Company And Schools Not Responding - Tips?

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!

Thank you! I am not planning on 'jumping ship' immediately once the first year is up. I'm aware it's an option, but I have no problem staying with Swift long-term if that's how things turn out. I want this to be a career, after all!

Rick. Congratulations. I am currently with swift. I run flatbed and quite often bounce through our OKC terminal. It is actually one of my favorites. I have zero complaints about swift. If I do have an issue I discuss with leadership it it is typically resolved. As Errol mentioned Swift is huge, there are many that stay and retire from it. I just met a driver last week that is at 36 years ant swift and will be retiring next year. The economy is crappy and I fear it will probably get worse before better. I have no immediate plans to change companies at this time due to that. Stability and consistency is my major decision factor. If you see a flatbed truck roll in while you are at OkC with a golden retriever hanging its head out the window feel free to say hi.

Hey all. Unfortunately, my Swift recruiter called me today, and the company decided not to pursue employing me. Apparently being unemployed since February of this year was a no-go for them. I'm bummed, but I'm not giving up. I'm speaking with Prime Inc and Wilson Logistics, and waiting to hear back from both of them while I study my rear end off for the permit test.

Rick, sorry to hear this. But, this is why some of the Moderators here often say "there's got to be more to the story."

In your original post, you said;

I have a fairly solid work history, and no criminal record/driving offenses.

Now you mention;

being unemployed since February of this year was a no-go for them.

Have you used the Trucking Truth One App?

I'm thinking that 9 month period of not working is probably one of the reasons other companies haven't responded. You might need to consider companies you wouldn't normally apply to and stay humble.

Good luck!

Rick's employment history problem:

Apparently being unemployed since February of this year was a no-go for them.

As Steve points out, that's a contradiction in terms. What did you do to keep body and soul together? Did you sleep in a car or couch surf with friends? I suspect you may have had income. Did a close family member require serious help/assistance while they were sick? Did you have to take up house-husband duties? If you had some constructive thing to do, even if you did not get a paycheck, you might be able to explain your unemployment because you had other Things to Do. Sometimes this will work.

I said fairly solid because out of the last couple decades, this is the longest I've been out of work. I relocated to Oklahoma after my girlfriend of twenty years passed due to chronic illness. I spent the last five years as her full time caregiver. I made Swift aware of everything, but was unable to change their minds. That's okay. I apologize if I came off misleading, that wasn't my intent at all.

I explained that I've been staying with very generous friends, and looking for employment. I have nothing against Swift or anyone that works there because of this decision. It happens. Humble is the name of the game right now, and I'm not giving up. I have a couple companies I'd love to work for, but I'm not putting all my hopes on them. I believe I said in another comment that I want to pay my dues and do things right. To me, that begins in the searching process. Honesty, humility and appreciation are vital in this phase. I try to be confident without being arrogant.

Again, my apologies for any mixups. I'm happy to answer any other questions about things that may be unclear. You are a wonderful group, and I feel privileged to be here. Thank you.

I just brought up the employment point because most people don't consider family care with no actual paycheck in the same category as employment. But many companies will take non-employment but Important activities into consideration. You usually need some sort of "outside" documentation, say a letter from a pastor or a physician.

If you were just kicking back for a few years in Margaritaville, that's a bright flashing indicator of a low energy lifestyle.

I just brought up the employment point because most people don't consider family care with no actual paycheck in the same category as employment. But many companies will take non-employment but Important activities into consideration. You usually need some sort of "outside" documentation, say a letter from a pastor or a physician.

If you were just kicking back for a few years in Margaritaville, that's a bright flashing indicator of a low energy lifestyle.

I understand, Errol, that's why I wanted to go into further detail. As I said, I appreciate the vast amount of knowledge the people of this forum possess, and I want to stay on good terms with everyone. That means being honest and humble. I'm still looking, still hoping.

Okay. When did your girlfriend die? Grab a piece of paper and write down that your long-term girlfriend passed away from a chronic disease on (date) and you were her caregiver from X (beginning date) to X (ending date).

Write down that you moved to a friend's place and the time frame you moved in. State that they were giving you a place to grieve while looking for work. If you didn't stay there the whole time frame put the ending date. If you stayed with other friends, put down that you were looking for work while staying with these people with the beginning and ending dates.

Have the last person that you lived with sign the note in front of a notary (usually can find one at a financial institution) and that will help cover your last 9 months.

We know you are being honest, that you don't have to worry about. Going forward when you fill out an application, you submit that letter so they have it in their hot little hands and can read it. You telling them is okay but it doesn't fly. I took care of my husband for 18 years when he suffered two traumatic brain injuries in a work-related job. The last 6 years he was paid for domiciliary care and I was that person. He had a letter from Workers Comp that awarded him the domicillary care. Because I wasn't paid directly I had to get a letter, that was notarized to turn in with my applications in 2014. I used it one more time when I changed companies in 2017. Now I just have to give all my companies.

Laura

I'll do this, and I'll reach out to the companies I'm speaking with to see how to get it to them. Thank you, Laura.

Okay. When did your girlfriend die? Grab a piece of paper and write down that your long-term girlfriend passed away from a chronic disease on (date) and you were her caregiver from X (beginning date) to X (ending date).

Laura