Question About Bison USA
Topic 34827 | Page 1
Yes, it is normal for a company to want you to finish and submit your application as soon as possible. Why would you wait? Do you need endorsements more than a job?
You have already figured out that you're in a difficult area to find work as a rookie. You can always add the endorsements later. I would get started as soon as possible especially since CDL training ages like milk. You need actual experience more than anything.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Yes, it is normal for a company to want you to finish and submit your application as soon as possible. Why would you wait? Do you need endorsements more than a job?
You have already figured out that you're in a difficult area to find work as a rookie. You can always add the endorsements later. I would get started as soon as possible especially since CDL training ages like milk. You need actual experience more than anything.
It's not that I need endorsements more then a job, I currently work full time in federal service. I would like to get my endorsements done before I'm to busy in trucking to schedule an appointment here as it takes Maine 3-5 weeks to figure out when they can do exams.
I guess I'll move ahead without the endorsements and pay for everything again when I have experience.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
There's always a way to make time to add endorsements once you're employed. And almost no one is going to offer you a job pulling tankers, doubles , and/or hazmat until you have a year of experience.
Bison has already told you that you meet their basic requirements. For all you know, Bison will help make arrangements for you to get back home to add the endorsements once you successfully complete their training. Either way, you should be happy that they're interested enough to call you and basically beg you to apply as a brand new driver in the current conditions.
You might be surprised how much less attractive your shiny new CDL will be at six weeks old than it is at nine days old. There must be a reason you want to change careers. You have gotten over the first hurdle but there's not much room to the next one. Now is the time to jump.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
Those endorsements are nice to have, but not all that necessary. You will be on the road making money that much sooner if you get on with Bison now.
The doubles/triples & tanker endorsements do allow you to pull more different kinds of trailers, but that's a minimal difference for a main property carrier like Bison.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
30 days from application date, and they time out. Some companies just make you fill out the application again, others bin it and move on to the driver who is ready to roll.
If you are dead set on adding endorsements, then you plan hometime around it.
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Hello All,
I recently finished off CDL school on June 26th and passed my CDL exam on July 15th. A couple days after I got my CDL I called Bison and asked them if they hire new grads, they told me they did within 90 days of my CDL school completion date, I let them know I wanted to get my endorsements before I apply. I live in Maine and it takes about a month to wait for each exam, last week I sent my application in for my Hazmat , doubles , triples and tanker. So I think I should have a test date in about 3-4 weeks, I also already paid 89.99 for my background check, finger prints and 99.99 for my Hazmat online training.
Today they called me again, the woman asked if I wanted to continue with my application, I told her again, that I'm waiting to get my endorsements... She insisted that I apply now because I wont need these endorsements to work for them. Then she told me I only have about 4 weeks before I can apply to work there because getting on boarded takes a month.
Is this normal behavior from a Transportation company? I'm already getting frustrated with this and I haven't even applied yet but the options up here in Maine are pretty limited for carriers.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.