I earned my Class A CDL back in in late March.
Since then I've been looking for a local trucking company that would hire me but silly me came to find out that nobody will hire you locally unless you have some experience under your belt.
So I've came to the decision that I will go OTR. I've applied for the Chicago Transit Authority to drive a bus for them. I already interviewed and im waiting to hear back from them. Truth is though that I would much rather be driving a big rig. Im tired of Chicago, I want to see the rest of the country while making money. I want to spend my days on the road, I want to sleep in a sleeper, I want to get away from everything and everyone around me for a while.
I called Roehl to apply but its been more than 90 days since I received my CDL so they wont take a chance on me unless I go through a refresher course. I already dropped 2grand for my CDL, I think thats more than enough, Im not paying anymore for a refresher course.
I also applied with Werner yesterday online but I have yet to hear from them. Called Schneider and they are sending me an application through the mail.
The only company that has called me so far is Swift. They were the first company I applied with a few days ago. Im considering going to their orientation.
So I guess what im trying to get to is that I really need some advice on which of the bigger companies I should really consider.
Im willing to go OTR, I WANT TO go OTR.
Im a new guy to trucking obviously and im hoping to get started with the best company with the best equipment and the best pay.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Are you getting screwed with 26 cpm, yes you are, but on the other hand beggars can't be choosers as they say and since it has been 3-4 months since you got your CDL you are approaching the begging arena.

If I were you I would stop messing with putting in an application here and there and start submitting online multi apps and give it a couple of weeks and see who responds and what they have to offer.

 

are you sure you want to drive a truck?
sounds like your not willing to do what it takes to get a job.
3 months from CDL to find a job?
wont take a refresher?
willing to settle for Swift?
i think you will be dissapointed in this career path.

it is not easy to find a driving job when you are new.
it is even harder to find a good company with good pay.
this is a very frustrating industry to be in for many drivers, especially a new driver.

I hope you find what you are looking for.
BOL

 

i hear every one says that roehl is one of the best starting companies around.. that's where i'm going if i have to do OTR... 30 Cents for van and 33 cents for flatbed... but for werner and swift, yeah 26 cents is the highest your going to see!!! if i was you since i've waited this long you might as well wait for Schneider's to send you the APP!!

 

Not willing to do what I have to do?
Come on man, this whole time I've been going to interviews albeit they were all for driving straight trucks, no trailers. But everyone told me the same thing, that they couldnt hire me because I have no experience. Some of them even wanted people over 25 for insurance reasons. I dont turn 25 till late November by the way.
Initially I was looking to stay close to home, come home every night.
But now I just want the road.
Why the hell am going to drop another 2grand on a refresher course when I spent everything I already had getting my CDL.
If I have to i'll drive for Swift for their 26 cents a mile, I understand im going to have to put in my work for that experience that I need.
So dont sit there and ask me if I really want to drive a truck. I spent 5 years working in an office enviroment sitting in front of a computer all day. Im sorry but I just cant do that type of work anymore.
Dont talk to me about frustration as if truckers are the only ones who can ever go through it.
Whats wrong with going with Swift if this much time has passed since I got my CDL and Roehl wont take me?
I need to make a move dont I? And I need to make it fast.
I need to gain experience dont I?
If Swift is the only one who is willing to take a chance with someone who got their CDL over 90 days ago, then i'll take it!
Put 6 months or a year with them and find myself something better.
Your not the only who has to deal with stupid people. Your not the only one who goes through frustrations.

 

Welcome to the OTR coolie trucking.

 

i too came from an office environment. it was a breeze compaped to driving. i wish i was back there again.

do what you have to do. 26 CPM? yeah, thats what your gonna get.
and youll be working you A$$ off for 500/week.

but unless you catch a lucky break, thats what you have to do to pay your dues. so really, your not getting screwed. you are given a chance to gain experience. the reason why these starter companies pay so little is because they take a chance on you with higher insurance premiums and costs when you screw up.

if you have a chance to get into flatbed, do it. it pays good. at least it does for the place i work for. although if you work for crete, crst, or roehl, they will probably want you to drive van for at least 6 months first before you transfer to the flatbed division.

BOL

 

ptl, will hire you .31

 

if swift an werner are your options call and ask what dedicated positions the 2 offer based on your home location

 

I started with swift, they aren't that bad, will keep you moving, and you won't stay at .26 for long. The only thing with swift is you have to bug the crap out of em for a while to get what you want. Often new drivers will get crap loads, and if you bug em enough they will give you good ones, after about 2 months it gets much better.

After 6 months I was up to .32cpm with them starting like you did at .26