Truck Driving Jobs

roadranger · #11 12-10-2006, 09:09 PM

I would think that any of the OTR companies that have their own schools could run you through their programs as a special case?

Bigmon · #12 12-10-2006, 09:17 PM

more research on my part.... Unclear about what your saying..
Been reading most companies want "at least 160 hours" are you saying drive time should be 160?[/quote]

What I'm saying is don't be suprised if you only drive 3-4 hours in a 160 hour class. Not all 160 classes are the same. I know of a 160 class that has you back up 5 times and drive around the block then they send you to DMV for the test.

Not all 160 hour schools are accepted by the major carriers.

larryh31 · #13 12-10-2006, 09:57 PM

Your best bet is to contact the company that you plan on working for and find out which schools they hire from.

As a general rule the longer the course the better it is for you. Most schools will send you out in a truck along with 3-4 other students. So out of your 8 hour class day you may only end up driving for 1-2 hours. They rest of the time you will be watching your classmates.

Mackman · #14 12-10-2006, 10:29 PM

When i wanted to go OTR i had the same problem as you do. I got my cdl the same way. Look at smaller company's like less then 30 trucks. I was only 21 at the time and i had a job going OTR with a food grade company about 10mi. away from my house. But they only wanted to pay me .34 empty and .38 loaded. Once i added it all up am making more local so i never did it.
BTW i would never in a million years go to school for something i allready had.

fyafighter · #15 12-11-2006, 12:08 AM

mackman

thanks for the reply, ya i think I'm going to keep looking at both options local and larger companies and see what turns up.
I mean i really don't want to go unpaid for 4-6 weeks for school if i don't have to, but will if it is necessary.

GLWS · #16 12-11-2006, 01:02 AM

fyafighter:

I would keep looking. I started out in a very similar situation to you. I had very little driving time, but a CDL-A.

I got hired on with a company and they sent me thru 6 weeks of their own training with one of their driver trainers. I work for MCS, a smaller company. I also could have worked for Swift or Schneider, who send you to training no matter what. A couple other companies wanted to hire me too, but they were small local companies.

I had many turn me down because of my lack of experience. I just got my CDL in the first place so I could drive trucks occasionally for the truck dealership I was working for-- as in test drives and delivery to customers. I got the license with no schooling, and borrowed a truck and trailer from the dealership to take the test. I had less then 10,000 miles when I got hired full time as an OTR driver.

Good luck!

toner · #17 12-11-2006, 04:44 PM

Not sure where you're located, but Arrow would consider you as long as you've got your CDL. Hopefully we're not one of the ones you've heard horror stories about! :shock:

if you have any questions you can ask here or PM me.

#18 12-11-2006, 05:15 PM

Call Magnum LTD in Fargo, ND. If they don't take you i'd be darn surprised really. They have like 14 trucks sitting empty right now. They bought like 60 2006's and 60 2007's They are a pete 387 fleet with generators on anything 05 and newer. Oldest OTR truck I think they are running right now is an 03 and I believe those are on their way to the LTL division of the company.

They are a lower paying company, and have a few kinks to work on, but overall they are a good company to work with. Safety office personal rock, dispatchers can be complete.... well, dispatchers.. but it'd be worth a try..

800-615-9398

I'd at least talk to them. Worst they can say is no. And if they take you even at a low pay rate, at least your getting paid to get experiance rather then paying to go through school.

BOL

Nendail

Splitter · #19 12-11-2006, 05:21 PM

I've had my class A for 12 years, and had no formal schooling to get it. I've already been told by two companies that they would hire me.
Gordon Trucking, out of Pacific WA. May Trucking Co. out of Salem, OR.
Just keep looking.

fyafighter · #20 12-15-2006, 12:28 AM

Thanks all for so many helpful replies and pm's

currently I'm talking to Maverick and Crete and CFI well see what works out, locals are still saying "were still checking" insurance i guess.

I'm hoping on Maverick cause Flatbed is what i want to do.
I'm use to Lowboy and tilt top moving equipment so i don't think it will be that much of a switch