New CDL A, want entry level experience but getting rejected
Posted by ZealousidealAngle151@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 63 comments
Same situation as many new students who completed their trucker school. I did my endorsements (hazmat, tanker, double/triples). Trying for CDL B first like propane, garbage, shuttle bus, yard jockey and a little surprised at all the quick rejections for those gigs. Even these Class B postings are asking for 1-2 years exp? Clean MVR, background, willing to relocate, and past non-CDL driving jobs. Trying to avoid OTR. Just keep trying or other options? Other students in my class seemed to easily find jobs right away on the contrary for some reason.
agitatedproject626@reddit
Pay your dues and go OTR like the rest of us
SlothyTendecies@reddit
You can try local food or beer delivery, but OTR for a year or two is going to be the best way to open the door foward. You have to put in your time unless you can get in one of the local jobs, but you're gonna work your ass off.
Zaphod-Beebebrox@reddit
Werner takes new drivers
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
Werner, Schneider are my backup options. I don’t think I could consider Swift and Western Express.
Nearby-Market-3919@reddit
Swift is the best one out of the 2 companies you mentioned. I heard good things out of Melton too for a starter company
threeglude@reddit
F Schneider, werner or welfare express. I've read too many horror stories. Swift gets a bad rap because they have the MOST trucks. I worked with a guy who came over from swift and said it was a pretty good gig. Matter of fact, I think he eventually went back to swift (I'm intentionally holding back some details to maintain my anonymity).
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
I’m starting to hear better feedback about Swift recently.
Accomplished_Put2112@reddit
Unless you start out local it’s really hard to get local without a significant amount of experience. Your other options besides going over the road is just simple waiting for your license to mature by working a warehouse job or some non cdl driving job. Most companies don’t very experience but even if they did saying someone drove for them doesn’t really mean that much. So personally if it were me I’d try to get into a non cdl driving job that maybe has room to go to a cdl driving job or just go over the road and maybe try to get with a regional company where you’re only out a few days at a time.
Wheres_Jay@reddit
Go to your AI app of choice, put in your qualifications and ask it to find you places that are hiring near you. After it comes up with an expansive list, cull the jobs you like and apply. Don't forget to follow up. If I were a hiring manager and you just applied without following up, I would likely not hire you.
maybeplug@reddit
Depends on your area, Im in Ohio, and Ohio is a trucking gold mine, especially since everything runs through the interstate here.
CompletelyPaperless@reddit
It's because first year drivers are way more expensive to ensure. Even if they wanted to hire you, they would have to pay more than double your insurance compared to other drivers with experience. And there's the added benefit that they won't break stuff like you will. Every first year driver breaks something at least once
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
Yep learned about the insurance thing quickly. Was laid off and thought this would be my new career option only to be stuck once again. Happy to have letter A on my license though.
Puzzleheaded-Hat5803@reddit
There are plenty of companies that are willing to train you. Most of the mega carriers are willing to train straight out of school. You just have to be willing to get your experience otr.
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
Well, I’m just wondering how I would handle being alone and living in a truck cab. It could be like camping, but it could make me a little crazy I’m sure lol. For now happy to get my CDL A and appreciate all the good advice from ya’ll.
Puzzleheaded-Hat5803@reddit
Depending on where you are. There should be trash/ dump truck work. I know lots of of ppl went i to trash right out of school and never switched up.
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
Yep. I was denied by Waste Management and a recycling truck place so not sure what’s up. Local dump trucks also want 2 years exp. I dunno, maybe Central CA is not easy. Just need someone to give me a chance, not as easy as anticipated.
Puzzleheaded-Hat5803@reddit
CA as in California? Yeah thats not going to be easy. But if you can nut up and do otr for a while. It will pay off. Also otr isnt all that bad unless you have a wife and kids.
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
No attachments. Ex wanted kids I said no so I’m free to do what I want with career. I’ve seen some cool cab setups with TVs and video games which would keep me sane. Can anything be put in a cab space or are there a bunch of rules on that too?
Puzzleheaded-Hat5803@reddit
Not really any rules. Depends on the company. Personally I have everything that a one room apartment has minus the bathroom.
RabbitFabs@reddit
Every truck has a bathroom if youre brave enough. Or atleast in that bad of a pinch. Its right between the fuel tanks and the drives! 😂
CompletelyPaperless@reddit
Yeah trust me I get it. I did the same thing because I got laid off from the computer industry right after I had my daughter. Yet I was still forced to do otr. The good news is that after your first year of doing OTR you can get out pretty easily. If you can avoid it definitely avoid it.
JimmyBluffit420@reddit
OTR is pretty much unavailable your first year driving. I did OTR flatbed last year. Just finished my first week with a dedicated route home daily.
Distinct-Event-7472@reddit
Just go OTR for a bit man it’s unavoidable unless you get really lucky
Super_flywhiteguy@reddit
Try for a ltl carrier. Xpo hired me right out of school with them really liking my hazmat and doubles/triples endorsements.
tonythebutcher13@reddit
Dude sometimes beer and soda people are fuckin desperate try that, thats what I ended up doin.
FrYoungtrad@reddit
I'm in the same boat, just graduated. Ignore the people who say go otr, unless you're pretty much homeless or illegal. Local jobs pay the same and you can have a life. I already got offers from two local construction/asphalt companies, and the airport bus co, and got interviews with coke, Pepsi, and fritolay.
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
What was your approach? Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites? I’m in CA so probably lots of drivers out here to compete with.
threeglude@reddit
In person. Go there in person. I cannot emphasize this enough! I don't care what part of the country you live in, find small carriers (30 trucks or less), go in person and be persistent. Ask for the hiring manager or the safety guy.
My first gig was regional intermodal (shipping containers). They had a listing on Craigslist when it was actually a decent site years ago. Called and spoke with the safety guy on multiple occasions, and met with him a few times. Despite being rejected, I talked my way into them letting me practice my backing skills in their yard with their yard jockey, with zero expectation of pay. Treated it like a job and within 2 weeks of doing that, eventually I was offered the job. Haven't looked back since.
This is the blue collar world, your physical presence, persistence, and willingness to go above and beyond to show/prove your worth, will go farther then anything else, especially with smaller carriers.
There are a lot of avenues to check out, but I would encourage you to check out intermodal or construction over most other options. If you have a Carvana or carmax near you, you could also give them a shot, they have been known to be new driver friendly. I'd avoid trying to get into hazmat, most won't touch you without at least 1-2 years experience.
Insurance is the biggest hurdle here. But if you follow some/most of my above advice, you'll find something local-ish.
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the good feedback. I will look into those options. Yes, I have been dropping off my resume in person and chatting up local businesses about learning about how different jobs work. I am trying for propane but not sure how I would handle the on call graveyard shift stuff.
threeglude@reddit
Yeah, f propane. At least in my area, the pay is absolute garbage for the risks you're taking. Dump trucks, side dumps, end dumps, those are the companies to check out. That or intermodal. If you're not afraid of work, carvana or carmax could get your foot in the door with hauling cars. After 1-2 years hauling cars, you could find a home every night job making $2-3k/wk gross!
The-Olympus-Mons@reddit
I too would like to know
OddRegion1829@reddit
Is your license restricted to automatic? When I was looking for a job after my first trucking job for 9 years, a lot of potential employers gave me a hard time about my license being restricted. 3 interviews with no call back because of the restriction. This was back in 2023, but got a steady job after. But I went to a trucking school to get my automatic restriction removed to avoid what i endured.
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
Oh with my CDL I can drive manual with no restrictions and most of the endorsements. I did grind a lot of gears in school so I would actually prefer jobs with an automatic. It appears Schneider’s new fleet is auto.
OddRegion1829@reddit
What state are you located?
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
Central CA. I want to do garbage, propane, or septic.
OddRegion1829@reddit
I live in central Cal as well. Have you looked into southwest traders? Starbucks delivery. Always hiring.
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
Never knew about either. I do like Starbucks lol. Thanks for the tip. Yea man, San Luis Obispo County.
kang9400@reddit
Gotta make your bones otr. Probably should have done something else tbh 🤷
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
I hear ya. Amerigas is a big company and I’m more into propane than big trailers. After trying so many jobs after 25 years, I know I enjoy driving so we will see where my CDL A takes me. If not used, at least I’m proud to have that license and school was an accomplishment.
AbbreviationsShot118@reddit
You could probably get hired at a local bev distributor if you live in a major city. They’re always looking for people cause their churn is insanely high. It’s insanely high mostly because of low pay (compared to the amount of work you do… most drivers at my old job were making between $60k-$65k at any level experience which is about average for most rookie OTR guys.
OTR is the easiest way to get your foot in the door, even if it’s just for one year. Or even 6 months, I know JBHunt and a few other places like that will hire with 6mo exp. But OTR at a mega is just the easiest. Downside is you’ll have to go through a training phase as a new driver even if you have your CDL already
fusillijhericurl@reddit
Ready mix concrete
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
Yep applied to two local concrete places. One mentioned they want candidates already working at a ready mix place. The second wanted EXPERIENCED (they put in all caps for emphasis). Applied anyways.
fusillijhericurl@reddit
What state are you located?
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
Central CA
Xx_Frosty@reddit
Schneider has regional and dedicated routes that are home weekly or daily. Good training program too. If you can, try to get onto a walmart account. Super easy work.
happyexit7@reddit
I only had seven months experience before I got a city LTL position. Try “dock to driver” programs at an LTL carrier. Where you’ll work the dock for a while until they need to move you into a driver position. Some carriers will have box trucks for small local deliveries. The economy is slowing down too and logistics is the first to feel the effects. Drivers see the slow down before anyone else and stay put. Good luck.
TKOxBLITZ@reddit
I was about to recommend this, doing mine through A. Duie Pyle.
ddqlibb88@reddit
If you are ok with not being in a truck all the time maybe a municipality or I work for the dot and was hired when all I had was a permit
awdeetdeet@reddit
How old are you?
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
40s. My college degree got me nowhere but toxic workplaces with low pay. Never thought I would consider trucking but here I am.
awdeetdeet@reddit
Welp you aren’t too young for any insurance so idk maybe just a tough market where you live.
10xbek@reddit
Try amazon freight partner carrier in your area, they pay low, but good way to get into the industry
awdeetdeet@reddit
Where do you live? How old are you? Do you have a perfect driving record? How many years of overal work history do you have? These are some additional things that matter outside of years of CDL driving experience.
CMDR-L@reddit
You best bet is to get a job Hostling at some place. Itll give you experience on paper, and youll be better at backing
ZealousidealAngle151@reddit (OP)
Yep trying for yard stuff. Getting denied and postings want experience there too lol.
YoghurtOwn189@reddit
Join food or grocery delivery like a company like Mclane they take new grads and will even train you to get your CDL lol
No_Ocelot4019@reddit
Find a smaller company go otr for a while I know your trying to avoid it but unless you know someone its about the only way now... smaller company because they'll actually care about you for the most part I left my first company and came back money is a great thing but not being treated like shit daily is even better best of luck
AndromedanPrince@reddit
seriously try beverage or food service
JayB_Trucker@reddit
Check out beverage and food service companies in your area. Some of them do hire new grads and train them. I've also seen some flatbed companies like TMC and Melton that hire new grads for regional positions if you are in their hiring area.
Environmental-Pear40@reddit
OTR is entry level bro. Gotta put in a year or two. There's a lot of drivers that want those positions and have years more experience with clean records. Theres just no reason for local companies to higher new guys.
Unless you're in a lucky area that really needs local/semi local. I think Dallas is like that but idk.
You can also look for short dedicated routes but those usually want experience or are more of a move from inside a carrier.
TruckerSob@reddit
food or bevarage distribution would be your best bet but that shit is work and they are gonna lowball pay because of your experience so unless you know a guy local, otr is your option.
Wagger_Dagger@reddit
Going OTR is really how most truckers get their start, trying to avoid doing it means you’ll probably be overlooked. Also it depends on your area for instance in my area it took almost 3 years of actively searching and applying to find a local job that was worth doing. You could always do regional work and be home weekends it’ll pay the bills while giving you much needed experience. But if you must have a local job I would plan on looking for a job for quite a while, a lot of guys are coming off of OTR and taking local jobs because the market has been shitty for like 4 years now.
MD_keh@reddit
Otr is pretty much your best bet. Most regional / local jobs are grabbed up quick by people with experience, who are tired of otr, so your chances against those people are very slim. Sorry for the bad news, its just how it is