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Post by bobabooy on Nov 4, 2003 10:52:41 GMT -5
I finished my CDL school two weeks ago, and while in school we had to fill out 6 job applications. So far I have heard from only one company, and they are a little apprehensive about putting me in a truck by myself in the winter ( They dont do trainers, 10 day orientation and you head out on your own). I thought the industry was hard up for drivers, but it seems to be for experienced drivers only. The majority of companies want at least a year expeience. I have not tried Swift yet, and it isnt really my first choice either. But I may be forced to give them a call. Even Werner didnt respond!!! By the way, my driving record is fine, Im not or never have been a criminal, and no DUIs ever. Passed school with no problems. IM FRUSTRATED!!!!
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Post by Geekster on Nov 4, 2003 18:11:08 GMT -5
I don't know what part of the country you live in, Bob, but there are several companies which will (probably) hire you out of school without any OTR experience. Swift, which you named, is one, obviously, as are Schneider (www.pumpkindriver.com - go on over and check out the boards), Roehl, Millis, Stevens, Covenant, CR England (wouldn't recommend), Prime (again, wouldn't recommend) and several others. And there may be some regional carriers in your area as well. Use the Carrier database on this website and send out your own apps. Don't rely on the school to do this for you. Follow up with those companies you applied to if you're truly interested in them, and it sounds like you might be interested in Werner. Call them up, apply on line, get your name to them any way you can. You'll find a good company to hire on with and get that first year's experience out of the way and that will open up a whole bunch more options for you. Best of luck.
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Post by truckertom on Nov 4, 2003 20:53:18 GMT -5
I know this is going to sound like I am asking questions that may be a little too personal, but here it goes.
Is there anything in your employment record that may be shooting you down? Any felonies, misdemeanors? If not, then your palcement department is just not trying hard enough. We have been able to place %100 of our students as long as they are willing to drive OTR. The students that want nothing but local don't seem to understand the OTR is the entry level position today.
Try Central Refridgeration, they are a Swift Company. Also try KTL flatbed or SRT out of Arkansas. If you need the numbers for these, write me an E-Mail and I will send them to you.
Hey, not all schools try very hard after the ink on the loan papers is dry.
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Post by bobabooy on Nov 5, 2003 11:15:36 GMT -5
No, I have nothing in my past that would disqualify me from driving. Most of the companies that Ive applied with are actively looking for drivers, I see thier ads in the Sunday paper every week, and in all of the trucking magazines. They even show on thier little maps that they are recruiting in my area, but when I called to follow up on my application, they said they wouldnt take a "student" from my area. My thinking is, that a truck that isnt moving, isnt making money. A new driver is better than no driver!!! I will try Cent Ref, even though I have read some bad things about them. Of course, you cant believe everything you read. Maybe Ill have to get a little time under my belt to open up those options. I will try some of those other companies you have recomended. Thanks
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Post by Arcflash on Nov 5, 2003 18:12:54 GMT -5
Where you live is sort of important to most companies. If you live in Southern Florida. for instance, it isn't very easy to get you home under load and it is d**ned hard to get you out with one. So since they know they can't get you home much then they aren't going to take a chance on you being unhappy about no hometime and quitting.
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Post by truckertom on Nov 5, 2003 21:04:58 GMT -5
I know alot of folks talk about Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. because they used to be thingy Simon. Central is owned by Swift now and Simon is out of the mix. But as a inexperienced driver, you aren't going to have to stay with your first company forever. Many of these companies feel good if a student driver stays with them of a year.
You should be getting offers from some of these if your placement department is doing their job. We have recruiters from a bunch of companies trying to hire our students....every week! How many company recruiters visited your school while you were attending?
The only other reason I can think of is if you attended a school that is on the OTR companies black list....I hope not!
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Post by SilverBullet on Nov 6, 2003 7:10:18 GMT -5
Have you talked to CRST? If you are needing a job, the run teams and they do use trainers. It wouldn't be my first choice, but just a thought.
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Post by bobabooy on Nov 6, 2003 11:34:31 GMT -5
I live in Montana and attended Sage Technical. Actually, no recruiters visited my class. The school was great, I am not knocking them at all.
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Post by truckertom on Nov 9, 2003 11:52:02 GMT -5
Sounds to me like you are goiging to have to do it yourself. Many of these companies have hiring areas, Montana may well be out of most carriers hiring areas.
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DBK
New Member
Posts: 20
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Post by DBK on Nov 9, 2003 18:13:36 GMT -5
I'm going to the Sage school in Denver, and got a pre-hire from Central Refrigerated. I think they are based in Cheyenne, aren't they? It may be someone else, but one of the apps I'm sure was from someone whose closest terminal was in Wyoming...you will find something, just keep looking.
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Post by Rachelle on Nov 9, 2003 21:14:21 GMT -5
I'm going to the Sage school in Denver, and got a pre-hire from Central Refrigerated. I think they are based in Cheyenne, aren't they? Central Refrig is the former thingy Simon and I think they are still based out of Salt Lake City, UT...?
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Post by captain on Nov 12, 2003 13:53:02 GMT -5
You might want to try ffe out of dallas, tx. I attended sage out of west palm beach, fl and several students have been happy with ffe. It is dealing with reefers but they have a good pay scale & benes. Their web site is ffeinc.com. I am in week 2 of my otr training which is 8 weeks total. They run newer equipment also. Good luck! Captain
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Post by O.C.T. on Nov 14, 2003 1:40:27 GMT -5
Captain, Is your Tractor green?
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Post by schw32m on Nov 21, 2003 22:04:26 GMT -5
I live in Montana and attended Sage Technical. Actually, no recruiters visited my class. The school was great, I am not knocking them at all. Montana you say? Try these Watkins-Shepard (vans) Davis Transport (flatbeds) Systems-TWT (flatbeds, Vans, Tankers, Heavy Haul) All are in the montana area except systems which is based out of spokane washington
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dhagood
425 Detroit
eschews obfuscation
Posts: 57
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Post by dhagood on Nov 22, 2003 0:32:54 GMT -5
watkins shepard also runs flatbeds. i start their school in missoula on january 5th.
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