Man...

[Fillupsherman]

Is anybody hiring? This is insane!

I'm trying to get a local job, but it seems like Trucker Job type websites leave people out to hang when it comes to this type of employment. Staffing agencies haven't helped, and I never see much in the classifieds.

I can't get a local with Werner or schnieder, I don't live in the right area for that. I'll give you a list of the big companies I've applied for, to no avail, and spare you the smaller companies:

J.B. Hunt
Pepsi
Coke
FedEx
UPS
Yellow/USF/Roadway
Valley Cartage
ConWay
Taystee
Wonderbread
OldDutch

I'm sure I'm leaving a lot of companies out but I'm trying to make the point I've applied for a lot of companies.

I'm 23, 1 and half years OTR experience half of that as a trainer, no moving violations, no accidents, nothing. A perfect record. Yet I haven't heard back from any of these companies. Not even so much as a "Thanks but we're not hiring."

Am I screwed if I want a local job? I really didn't think it would be this hard considering my age, experience and record.

If anyone can give me advice on how to find a local job, PLEASE HELP!!

[Biscuit Lips]

I certainly do not want to bring you down, but unemployment numbers are at near unprecendented levels right now, at least for modern times. Now when a company is hiring for a local job they might have several hundred applicants. Who do you think they are more likely to choose, the individual with 15 years of experience or the relative newbie?

[Fillupsherman]

Yea I know you're probably right... Does anyone have any information on where to look for local jobs? I really haven't found any data base or job pool for local jobs.

[DDCavi]

Stop looking for local only jobs.

[Fillupsherman]

Stop looking for local only jobs.

YEA, thanks.

[DDCavi]

Listen man, I wasnt being a dick. You tried everything to get a local job and it didnt work. OBVIOUSLY whats the next option? Stop looking for local only. Seniority will usually get them anyway. Im stating the obvious which for some odd reason you couldnt pick up on your own...

[Fillupsherman]

Wow, it just sounded that way, becuase you didn't answer the question, but still found it necessary to reply. But, again, my question is if I have tried everything. I've never looked for local before, so I don't know. Again, anyone who can answer my question I'd like to hear it, thanks.

[robertt]

Like Biscuit Lips said, I don't mean to hurt your feelings, be a smarta**, or anything else you would interpret it to be, but 23 with a year and a half exp isn't a whole lot. The clean record is a good start and so is the other but you are probably going to be competing with drivers that have 10 to 20 times your experience, a clean MVR, been a trainer etc... You don't say where you live, or what your exp is, ie; Tanker, Van, Reefer etc... Give a little more info and you might get some more suggestions. Try google for your area, "Local truck driving jobs", expand out to the state you live in. Local tanker jobs, local van jobs, local delivery jobs so on and so on. SOMETHING will come up, may not pay .50 to start, drive new truck, 5 weeks vacation to start off with, but something will pop up, if nothing else it will steer you in the direction you want to go. Like I said, not trying to be a Richard Cranium, just trying to help.

[Fillupsherman]

No I appreciate it.

[Jumbo]

I have a question? You have 18 months experience and HALF of that was as a trainer. Who let you be a trainer after 9 months? Secondly, You want to know how to get a local job. How about letting us know where you live. I cant suggest a local job in Wisconsin if you dont let us know that you live in California.

[Graymist]

I'm 23, 1 and half years OTR experience half of that as a trainer

This has nothing to do with the query you've posted, but just an observation on my part about something that you mentioned.

No reflection on you, and nothing personal, but I find it quite alarming that a company would accord trainer status to someone with less than a year of driving experience. I mean, look at it this way....within 9 months of you having started your driving career, you were made a trainer....by that time did you even acquire the experience to drive in all weather conditions ? And therefore, how would that qualify you to train someone else ????

Once again, it's not a reflection on you.....just a very sad and extremely frightening reflection on the practices of the company you worked for.

[Fillupsherman]

No, I understand the alarm. I am alarmed as well. Not everyone handles themselves out there as well as I do. To defend my position, I did real well as a trainer. The few people who managed to make it off my truck were glad they had me because of the things I was able to teach them.

The answer to who would encourage such a thing: Werner Enterprises. And no, I hadn't gone through a winter. The day I got my first student was the first day I saw snow in my truck! Boy, I lied to that guy talking about "I've been drivin' for years!" just so he wouldn't freak out, because despite my lack of experience, I knew what I was doing, and more importantly, knew what to say to him.

Anyway, I live in Red Wing, MN. It's south east MN, hour south of the cities, an hour north of Winona, MN. I've got all endorsements, I've done reefer, flat bed and dry van. How 'bout that job in WI?

[Graymist]

The day I got my first student was the first day I saw snow in my truck! Boy, I lied to that guy talking about "I've been drivin' for years!" just so he wouldn't freak out, because despite my lack of experience, I knew what I was doing, and more importantly, knew what to say to him.

Now this is serious stuff. Not only is this misrepresentation ( to put it mildly ) about your abilities / qualifications, but you knowingly put your trainee's life in danger. If I was the trainee, and I happened to get wind of this, there'd be a serious lawsuit on the anvil....maybe even criminal charges ( not sure about this though ).

Be careful out there, man...this is no game. People's lives are at stake.

[BIGRNTN]

Now this is serious stuff. Not only is this misrepresentation ( to put it mildly ) about your abilities / qualifications, but you knowingly put your trainee's life in danger. If I was the trainee, and I happened to get wind of this, there'd be a serious lawsuit on the anvil....maybe even criminal charges ( not sure about this though ).

Be careful out there, man...this is no game. People's lives are at stake.

This is a VERY accurate post! DO NOT take this job and your responsibilities for granted and NEVER loss respect for what you are in control of! If you EVER GET to thinking that you know what you're doing or get too comfortable behind the wheel, pull over and take a LONG hard look at whats behind you...

[Biscuit Lips]

Have you tried those huge job sites that list all types of jobs imaginable, such as monster, careerbuiler, ***helpwanted.com. That's how I found my current job after I was laid-off. Found a great job with a large agent of United Van Lines as a Trasportation Manager. Those web sites keep emailing me all types of driving jobs daily. Got one today about a Coinstar driver. Just a thought.

[thbogle]

I wont start on the training, its been beat to death enough. Like th above poster said try the big web sites. I know career builder emails me driving jobs all the time. Also look for resume blasters. I found a free one and only got one good job offer but it was all I needed. Best of luck wanting to go local only. If its any help there are still some decent companies hiring OTR. Good luck

[Double R]

J.B. Hunt

You could be in a bad area for them

Pepsi
Coke
FedEx
UPS
Yellow/USF/Roadway
ConWay

All of them currently have drivers layed off at this time.

Wonderbread

You have to wait till some dies to get in with them.

Try UPS Freight Looking for a local job? UPS Freight is accepting apps

Don't know who else you tried, but try the local Food service companies(Dawn Foods, SYSCO, US FOODS,etc.) and Supervalu(if they have place close to you). Best thing to do is NOT GIVE UP!

BOL

[Old Salt_19]

Is moving to the Twin Cities, or commuting back and forth from Redwing in your future?

I'm not trying to be a smart@ss, but that just might be what it will take.

You don't say what you're looking to drive, but looking at your list I'm guessing vans.

No gurantees, but here's my two cents worth of assistance.

Staffing agencies in the Twin Cities... Labor All, Optimum, Aerotek and ProDriver to name a few.

Companies... US Foodservice, Reinhart Foodservice, Estenson Logistics, Brueggers Bagels, Ryder,
Penske, Menards, UPS Freight, United Rentals, etc.

Another thought is, what about doing roll-offs for sanitation companies. Some of the builder supply / roofing companies, or hauling PODS.

There's my two cents, do what you will with it and good luck in your job hunting.

[jd112488]

lets see...18 months experience. drove flatbed, reefer, drybox. he lied to a trainee to make himself look better, or more qualified. i may be misunderstanding but three types of trucks to me says three jobs, in 18 months. good luck there sonny!!!! if i were you i would take any job that was sent my way, whether it is local, otr, hauling radioactive material that makes you glow green for three days after you haul it. why not get in touch with what is going on in this country, this is NOT the time to be looking for a job. if you got a job, keep it...even if it sucks big ones. just roll with the punches, and make it the best you can.

[INKTOXICATED]

If u were in jersey i coulda got u a job at my place 18 an hour 27 an hour after 8 flatbed normal hours. 3 guys got fired for there own reasosns so i know there going to need replacmeents