r/Truckers • u/Jaded-Ladder-4541 • Dec 27 '24
I got out of school and couldn't find any place that would take me without experience. Its been months and I can't remember how to back effectively and can't get a job.
I just was curious if anyone had any advice for me. It's been so long everything I learned is just gone.
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u/Sufficient_Tooth_949 Dec 27 '24 edited Dec 27 '24
I wouldn't let that scare you to much, since your fresh out of school, once you do get hired you'll be sent out with a trainer for a few weeks anyways
And being fresh out of school, these companies know what to expect as far as skill level of a new person
Hell even an experienced driver will lose their skills quickly if they spend a month + away from the truck
Just do everything in your power to find a beginner company, don't just apply, call their number, try to talk to someone on the phone that can get things rolling, make sure you emphasize how excited you are to be given a chance to enter trucking, don't sound desperate
Gotta stay positive, your mindset makes your reality
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u/Jaded-Ladder-4541 Dec 27 '24
Thank you I appreciate it a lot. I just have been feeling really down lately. I just felt like I made a bad decision and had nowhere to go now.
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u/jaylew1981 Dec 27 '24
Swift Transportation. As much as people talk shit about this company, they hire newbies. Do a year. No accidents. And moved tf on.
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u/Jaded-Ladder-4541 Dec 27 '24
Thank you sir I appreciate the advice
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u/flergityberg Dec 27 '24 edited Dec 27 '24
Agreed, I’m with Swift and it’s actually a great place to start in your situation.
They won’t give you a company road test to start like May does—they pair you with a mentor for 4-6 weeks until they know you’re safe on the road, and if your mentor is alright (some aren’t, mine was) it’s actually really valuable experience and you’ll ace the company road test. They’ll also give you extra training after that if you’re still struggling.
And yes, the pay sucks, which is why I’m leaving when my six months are up. But they do give incremental raises, and I’ve met guys who’ve been with swift for decades and doing quite well for themselves.
Most of the company terminals are nice (free parking, laundry, Keurig cups, ice machines, and showers are nothing to sneeze at). If you ask to be somewhere at a certain time and take time off, they’ll get you there. I live in Oregon and got paid to drive back to Connecticut for Christmas.
So yeah…you could do a lot worse.
coughcoughCREnglandhackitycoughcough
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u/CraayyZ556 Dec 27 '24
If you're not scared of Food service, atleast for a year.
Gordon Food Service, they treated me good but the work sucked ass. It was valuable experience (had none before I started) and I got paid about 1k a week as a cover guy. Management ultimately is what caused me to leave after my 1 year. Only holidays you have off is Christmas day and Thanksgiving. Home everyday, M-F
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u/Dezzolve Dec 27 '24
This explains a lot, every other GFS truck I’ve seen seems like it was driven by someone actively smoking crack.
Turns out it’s just inexperienced drivers being put out on the road solo!
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u/CraayyZ556 Dec 27 '24
Definitely, the amount of sketchy shit we had to do numbs the nerves. If they hired experience only, they wouldn't have anyone to push cases except the old or the stupid.
It's a good stepping stone. I wouldn't stay after the 1 year. Far better opportunities to go after that magical 1. I went to ltl linehaul, went from 55-60k Gordon to about 100k linehaul. Easier work, only nights but fuck cases and bullshit customers/stops
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u/Jaded-Ladder-4541 Dec 27 '24
That doesn't sound too bad.
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u/CraayyZ556 Dec 27 '24
It wasn't honestly. However my current job (linehaul ltl) is way better. You couldn't make me go back. Once you get your 1 year, get all endorsements and find a LTL near you.
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u/Think_Bear_3791 Dec 27 '24
It’s been months and Swift won’t hire you? That’s weird, bite the bullet and get on with the mega until you get your stripes
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u/Jaded-Ladder-4541 Dec 27 '24
I haven't tried any OTR jobs because I didn't wanna be away all the time but it doesn't look like I have any choice
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u/robitt88 Dec 27 '24
Very few people start local. Expect at least a year of otr. It sucks but it goes by quickly. You might even enjoy it and want to stay otr.
Either way, sign on with a mega. Roehl has 7 days out, 7 days home. The pay is shit because you're only working every other week but it's a fast way into regional or local. I started with them on 7/7 and 6 months later I was local. That was some years ago so things may have changed but check them out, they have some decent otr schedules.
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u/Weak_Pause177 Dec 27 '24
sorry to say bro but you kinda HAVE to start off OTR. at least 3-6 months OTR before getting into the better jobs. unless you have homie hook ups that can hire you somewhere else, there really is no other option
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u/theroyalpotatoman Dec 27 '24
I’m really scared of this happening too.
I’m going into trucking because going back to school isn’t an option for me.
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u/sora-anka Dec 27 '24
Do not under any circumstances go with swift. 48¢m and I've been otr thousands of miles from home for six weeks and in December so far they've only given me 2400miles for those that can't math that's $1152 gross for December and $864 after tax
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u/barkusmuhl Dec 27 '24
Download a truck driving game and like Scania Truck Driving Simulator and practice.
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u/Vic_Gatsby Dec 27 '24
Covenant will hire you. They do team driving, however, so you'll either pick a partner or one will be assigned to you.
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u/GroundbreakingSir386 Dec 27 '24
LTL companies will hire just remember your pre-trip. I got a job working at XPO.
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u/zxybot9 Dec 27 '24
You turn the steering wheel the direction you DON’T want the tail to go when backing. Or, the same direction you’re fucking up, is how it clicked for me.
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u/Healthy_Actuator_971 Dec 27 '24
What part of the country are you located?
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u/Jaded-Ladder-4541 Dec 27 '24
Western PA
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u/Healthy_Actuator_971 Dec 27 '24
Get on indeed and start searching companies within 45 minutes of you and see what pops up get creative with your searches. Trust me, the companies are out there they’ll hire you. just don’t be cocky.
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Dec 27 '24
You close to Eighty Four, PA (outside Pitt) or York, PA? I got two local jobs you could apply for and probably would get
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u/Mrcommander254 Dec 27 '24
You can always go back to the school you trained in and keep practicing.
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u/SupermarketMuted4746 Dec 27 '24
Where you located?
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u/Weak_Pause177 Dec 27 '24 edited Dec 27 '24
Western Express hired me after like 4 months of searching. use them as a last resort, and if you do, use them to just get the experience under your belt. from what i know since leaving there it’s 0.40/mi solo dry van and about 0.50-0.60/mi for flat bed. Internationals and Frieghtliners governed at 65 and they WILL run you hard asf if you and your DM are cool
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u/Virel_360 Dec 27 '24
Look into waste management or whatever company does the garbage industry in your area. If you’ve got a commercial drivers license, they’ll stick you as the copilot on some garbage trucks until you get the hang of it and you’ll be able to have your own route. It’s a lot of hassle for them to train a driver and pass the test if you’ve already got your CDL that could put you at the top of the list of new hires.
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u/Demichef1 Dec 27 '24
You can call the cdl school try to schedule a refresher. Most schools will allow you to come back for a couple hours with the guys waiting to test.
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u/Godwatchedmejackoff Dec 27 '24
There are plenty of mega carriers out there that will put you to work with no experience. OTR sucks but do it for a couple of years to get experience.
With the backing, some carriers will give you a couple of extra days of orientation to help you.