Job Questions for a newbie

[madrider]

Hi All,
This is my first post but have been reading here for a while. I am starting school week after next. I am 44 years old and just getting my CDL. I recken it is never too late. LOL
Yes of course I would like just like everyone else starting out, great company, benefits, truck, pay and lets not forget hometime!
I know as I am just starting out I wont get all that and also have to work up to getting all of this.
I reckon my question is does anyone have any suggestions for companies to work for that a newbie would have/have had good luck with.
My plan is to get my hasmat, and tanker endorsement right off the get go so that will not hinder me in my job search.
Also should I believe anything, or trust any of the recruiters that come to the school? :?
I am also paying for my school outa pocket so I am no indebted to a company. If I get a job with a company that does re-imbursement, then that's great but I don't want to be owing to a employer right off the get go.
I am located in Coastal NC if that makes a big difference.

Thanks
Madrider

[jayburd]

Can you run over my soon to be ex-son inlaw?
He's stationed at Cherry Point,N.C.
He's survied Afghanistan and Iraq....but he hasn't gone up against a PO'd Texas old man.

[Skywalker]

Madrider... Superior Carriers (chemical tankers) has a terminal in Wilmington and Aurora. Here is the information for both terminals:

Wilmington: http://www.superior-carriers.com/Loc...mingtonNC.html

Aurora: http://www.superior-carriers.com/Loc.../AuroraNC.html

You would have to have both hazmat and tanker....its required.

I don't know if you have read any of the information about Superior here, but there is plenty of it. If you have any questions...feel free to ask.

[Fredog]

Can you run over my soon to be ex-son inlaw?
He's stationed at Cherry Point,N.C.
He's survied Afghanistan and Iraq....but he hasn't gone up against a PO'd Texas old man.

I get the feeling that you dont like him

[madrider]

Can you run over my soon to be ex-son inlaw?
He's stationed at Cherry Point,N.C.
He's survied Afghanistan and Iraq....but he hasn't gone up against a PO'd Texas old man.

LOL
I will see what I can do about that!

[Aligator]

I work for a company who does not have a recruiter. And we have a waiting list of applicants.
Trust recruiters? Sure, but not all of them. But do your own homework. Talk to lots of companies.

Here's my story:
I'm 62. Two and a half years ago I called a company that had advertised and said they required 2 years experience. I asked them if the EVER took on new drivers. He said yes so I asked if he would talk to me after I got my CDL. Yes, again.
A couple of months later I called, made an appointment and was hired on the spot.
My first year I made 57K. I was home every weekend, and because the yard is close by I was home about once a week, too. All our loads are out and return, so the longest I'm gone is about 4 days or so. No one at our company makes less than about 50K, assuming that he works all year long.

Driving a truck is very difficult to learn. Most drivers will not stick with it long enough to get past that 1 year learning curve, so they never get comfortable with it. But you're old enough and probably experienced enough to attract the attention of a worthwhile employer.......so go for it.

Right now most flatbed companies are doing poorly because they haul so much building material, but there are lots of industries that are doing well.

Bottom Line:
Talk to people. You see a truck; call the company. I never, ever, called a company (and I talked to lots of them) who was not glad to talk to me and the ones who rejected me on the basis of inexperience were friendly and encouraging.

[madrider]

Madrider... Superior Carriers (chemical tankers) has a terminal in Wilmington and Aurora. Here is the information for both terminals:

Wilmington: http://www.superior-carriers.com/Loc...mingtonNC.html

Aurora: http://www.superior-carriers.com/Loc.../AuroraNC.html

You would have to have both hazmat and tanker....its required.

I don't know if you have read any of the information about Superior here, but there is plenty of it. If you have any questions...feel free to ask.

I havent read alot about them but I am going to do that now. I have spoke to them some on the phone. I spoke to the Mgr in the Aurora location. He gave me some really good info.

This is what I am looking, some goood referals!
Thanks

[repete]

jbird your gonna get em in trouble right off the bat!

Don't limit your search to just a few mega carriers, ther's alot of good co. out there that are willing to hire new grads ( clean drug, lic,ect)and have good training. I wounldn't worry to much about school reimbersment, as from what I've seen Co. that do offer that also offer a lower pay scale.
I may be wrong but that's what happened to me.best to pick a Co. that you will be happy with for a long time.
you found this site so you can avoid a lot of the mistakes that others have made BOL

[DragginMan]

I would also not recommend flatbed right now unless you find one that has diversified freight. I just quit McElroy out of Cuba, AL. The majority of their freight consisted of building supplies, and with the housing market in the tank right now the miles were near non-existent. Look into food haulers (people gotta eat right?) or chemical (plants always making stuff). You gotta Tyson near you? Lotsa chemical plants? Dont just look for a company to drive for, look at their customer base.

[madrider]

Thanks for all the info! I am looking forward to it. I just hope I am making the right decition in doing this. LOL :shock:

[Mack2]

Madrider where in NC do you live.

[madrider]

Madrider where in NC do you live.

Just outside Greenville, in a little town called Robersonville.

[Mack2]

Madrider where in NC do you live.

Just outside Greenville, in a little town called Robersonville.

Well dang I live in Williamston.

What trucking school are you going to?

[madrider]

Madrider where in NC do you live.

Just outside Greenville, in a little town called Robersonville.

Well dang I live in Williamston.

What trucking school are you going to?

WOW! Thats cool, what is the chance of that one. I am riding to Williamston in the morning to go to DMV. ( get a book)

I am planning on going to the school in Charolotte. My sister lives there so I wont have room and board.

Who do you work for? Is it OTR or Local?

[Mack2]

Madrider where in NC do you live.

Just outside Greenville, in a little town called Robersonville.

Well dang I live in Williamston.

What trucking school are you going to?

WOW! Thats cool, what is the chance of that one. I am riding to Williamston in the morning to go to DMV. ( get a book)

I am planning on going to the school in Charolotte. My sister lives there so I wont have room and board.

Who do you work for? Is it OTR or Local?

Well I'm in school right now studying to be a diesel mechanic at Beaufort Comunity College also taking there truck driving school to.

Most likley when I get my CDL I'll drive for a farmer there in Washington.

[madrider]

Oh Ok, That s cool.
Hey if ya break down you will be able to fix you own truck! LOL

[jayburd]

jbird your gonna get em in trouble right off the bat!

[jayburd]

Can you run over my soon to be ex-son inlaw?
He's stationed at Cherry Point,N.C.
He's survied Afghanistan and Iraq....but he hasn't gone up against a PO'd Texas old man.

I get the feeling that you dont like him

8)
Not many do........not even the Corps.