I know the economy is hitting everyone right now. I've applied to just about every company I could find that says they take new people for training. But they've all stopped taking new recruits for school and are instead only hiring people with experience.

I was wondering if anyone knows a company I might have missed (or isn't listed on the main page) that's still looking for those of us who have to start from zero. I'm willing to relocate and my record (both driving and otherwise) is spotless.

 

did you try Werner, Swift, USXpress, USA truck

 

Hmm, none of them seem to come up on the company listings or job listings on this site, so no probably didn't apply for them then.

I'll try looking them up directly.

 

Im getting ready to go through the company sponsored training via Driver Solutions in Indianapolis. Think they have schools in other locations. They primarily represent PAM and USA Truck. I talked to PAM yesterday. Said they arent hiring now. USA is though. Im pretty pleased with what I have heard/read about them. Down side...your going to be on the road for 2-3 weeks straight. Will also have to make a 1 year agreement too.

 

Most of them say "Not hiring now." USA truck said I'm out of the hiring area, though I'm willing to relocate. Not sure what do do about that, maybe I should call them and ask if that changes things.

The 1 year agreement doesn't bother me. It's just a year. I spent over 3 years in Africa for my last job, and I can't see having to put a year in anywhere in the US being much harder than that, even the worst parts of it (where coincidentally most of the trucking companies seem to be).

Know how some people will say they'd "do anything" or give up "everything" for someone they love? Well I did it. For real. Friends, job, car, home, school, family, country, culture, everything. Twice. And the second time "everything" included them, because until I find work I can't afford a place for us to live together, so we're separated (and it's not a short distance) until we can get the financial situation improved. I know people say OTR is a tough life due to the long time away from home, but try not having one and seeing your spouse once every 6 months, if you're lucky. Hell 2 weekends a month is miles better than that. I've already gone 9 months like this, so worst case scenario being I want to get out but I'm locked into a year is still a walk in the park compared to how things have been lately.

 

That's the norm for any OTR company. Gotta pay your dues.

 

I would expect that from anywhere. So far haven't had any luck with the ones mentioned. First 3 said not hiring right now, still trying to follow up with USA Truck about hiring area.

I've checked locally but only found straight truck (Class B) stuff, and none of them do anything as far as helping out with licensing. I worry that even if I manage to get a CDL B and drive for them none of the CDL A companies will count the experience time anyway.

 

Yeah, unfortunately you picked a bad time to become a "new" driver. With the economy tanking most fleets are not hiring, but actually reducing their fleets.

If you do drive Class B, it will not count as OTR experience because it is not a tractor/ trailer combination.

Good luck.

 

Man, if PAM isn't hiring things must be really slow.

 

The only reason I was looking at driving to begin with is because my fields I've had experience in tanked first, and friends told me truck companies were still hiring. Which they were, but they kinda stopped right after I applied.