Quote:
Originally Posted by P A Frederick
I agree with Orange TX. You had 18 months experience, then you took 12 months off. Now you basically have zero experience. You might find a 1/2 way decent company that has a refresher course, but I don't know. Heartland has a free refresher, but I wouldn't recommend them right now. They might be o.k. to work for in better times, but dry van freight is slow, slow right now. Most companies say "one year experience within the last 18 months" or something like that. With your experience, its going to be tough.
Here's the key also to sleeping with a reefer. Can you sleep with the truck idling? Before you go to bed, go to the control panel on the reefer unit and set it for "continuous" operation. That way the motor will constantly run, but it will just kick the compressor on and off when it needs it. Sounds basically like the truck idling when its like that. Sure, it uses more fuel, but if you are a company driver, they are paying for the fuel. Besides, you get so used to that unit kicking on and off you don't even notice it after a while. Its easier to sleep with the continuous set, but you would adjust really fast to a reefer.
Good luck finding a job man, but I think you are going to have a tough time. First, your experience is pretty slim as far as insurance and companies goes. Sorry to tell you, but its true. Second, the economy is totally in the crapper. I read an article (I think in Landline) about the drop in freight. Out of the "big 3" types of freight, flatbed has been hit the hardest, dry van is number 2 and reefer freight is down, but has been steadier than the other two.
Hope you find something. Let us know how its going. I'd start calling recruiters as soon as you got up and don't stop till you either find something or they go home. Call as many companies as you can. First thing, ask if they will take you with your experience. If not, mark them off the list. Then weed out from that shortened list. Keep going down through all the things you want. You may find something, but more likely you are going to have to take a hit on one of your "requirements" for a while.
|
Thanks for your input, P A Frederick!
I had considered Heartland but I was hearing what you are reiterating here. They are extremely slow.
I will definitely consider doing what you suggested if I should end up driving reefer. An idling truck doesn't bother me at all. The reefers that I've gotten stuck sleeping next to were a lot louder than my truck idling. Maybe it depends on the reefer type. I have no idea about that.
From the looks of it so far...the 11 months off doesn't seem to be an issue. The Gordon guy asked what I have been doing and I told him. He was like ok. Then, he asked me to fill out their printed application and fax it back to them when I can. They have a dropyard not too far from here, too...and I can leave my truck there.
I also applied directly at Roehl, Hogan, Paschall, deBoer. I think I will apply at Crete, too. They have a terminal in Ottawa. It's not really close...but it's not horribly far either. I think it's about 60 miles away.
deBoer seems to have places around here but the female recruiter didn't seem anxious to provide that information when I told her my problem with parking the truck. She said there are a lot of drivers around here and they found places to park their trucks. I don't know what that means. Do they leave them in the WalMart lot, pay to park it in someone else's gated yard, can legally park a tractor in their driveways? No idea! I guess I will have to call and ask someone who can give me more information about that.
Barr-Nunn guy says I have to keep the truck with me but I can drop the trailer in the yard. That doesn't help because I can't legally park a commercial vehicle in the driveway. I can't see myself anxious to pay someone to park my personal vehicle while away and paying to park a company truck that isn't mine!
That is where everything stands at this moment.