Hello,
I just got my CDL A, how can someone get a job when when you don't have experience? Every company needs a minimum of 3 months or more? Is my only option to go over the road with a trainer or just keep hoping I catch a break?

 

Check with some O/O in your area that have a half dozen or more trucks.
Good chance you can get a start with one of them, and do real well.
That's how I got started.

 

You know what I have discovered. Trucking isn't the only career that wants a 'certificate/degree' plus experience. There is only so much you can learn from a book or classroom. Real life experience is paramount to truly comprehending one's profession. 3 months may sound like a LONG time but it's a drop in the bucket.

Good Luck and Drive Safe, winter's coming

 

A training company like Schneider should not be dismissed out of hand by someone with no experience or track-record. If you're truly "good" and were born to drive, your trainer will see it and will try and cut you lose sooner. But if you've never spent any time out here, dealt with long, steep grades, snow/ice, NYC, Chicago, congested grocery warehouses built for 1950's truck/trailers, you should welcome the opportunity to have someone who (hopefully) has significant experience and knows how to pass that knowledge on.

If you bought a new corvette would you turn your 15 year-old lose in it in Houston to learn how to drive, solo, not knowing how well he could/could not drive or how safety oriented he might be or not knowing if he can see a situation developing and know how to react? Think of the immense liability and the exposure and the possibilities than please re-think your position.

 

VERY well said!
There is a good resaon they want to put you with a trainer.

 

Your options will usually be limited until you gain a couple of years experience. I do have a couple of suggestions. You could go with one of the major training carriers. They will put you with a trainer and teach you the basics. They will then put you in a truck where you can run the way you want. We all must work with the same rules. You could see if you can find a local carrier that will give you a chance to prove yourself. It is a high risk for the carrier when they put an inexperienced driver in a truck. Another option could be that you find a manufacturer or local company and drive one of their delivery trucks. The important thing is to get started. Check with your local state employment office. Many companies list positions, especially local companies.

 

Good point. I am a business owner and get the liability thing. Just looking for a break is all. I finished a 80 HR school in 15 so I feel I'm born for the job?

 

A 2 week course in 2 days??? :eek2:

 

Thanks.

 

Believe it or not. My father was a trucker, I signed up to take the test and the only thing I got wrong on the whole deal was I went over the white line a bit at a traffic light. I think my father might have been there on my test day. He died years ago. Who knows? I just know I want to drive I have a small building Corp and I'm done after 15 years.