New cdl
Posted by Blechdrinker420@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 11 comments
I’ve driven pick up and delivery for the past 4 years for a FedEx contractor. My contractor didn’t help me pay for my cdl but I finally got it with no restrictions.
My contractor has promised me linehaul training and a guaranteed job. I got my cdl 2 months ago hoping that I would be able to transition from p&d to linehaul immediately but they told me it’s a 6 month wait because their are 2 people training ahead of me.
My question is, should I wait it out and stay with my contractor or should I go somewhere else? I’ve felt very loyal to them but the past year since I started school I’ve felt unfulfilled with my job. I’ve seen people say it’s hard to get a good paying job starting out so I’m scared to burn my bridges because I’ve heard good things about FedEx
jmzstl@reddit
A 6 month wait for training sounds unusual to me. It's possible he could be stringing you along because he doesn't want to lose a reliable delivery driver. Or it's possible this is an amazingly in-depth training program and the job offers incredible pay and benefits that's worth lining up for.
Blechdrinker420@reddit (OP)
My dad said it’s because they don’t want to lose me as a delivery driver but they did tell me they wouldn’t pay for school because they have a pricey training program
jmzstl@reddit
The only other tidbits of info I can offer is that FedEx has a list of approved schools that CSPs can hire inexperienced drivers from. If you’re saying your contractor has their own in-house training to help drivers get a CDL, that doesn’t sound right.
Also just checking, are you sure your contractor also has a linehaul business? My understanding is that it’s exceedingly rare to do both P&D and linehaul.
Blechdrinker420@reddit (OP)
Local package drivers looking for a career in Linehaul, will need to obtain their CDL certificate from an accredited and FedEx recognized CDL school. Slicker does not pay for this schooling, however, once you obtain your CDL license, Slicker will pay for the 320 hours of practical and on-road training that FedEx requires before you can be an independent Linehaul Driver. This will entail approx. 2-3 months of driving with a certified Slicker linehaul trainer. Slicker has information on class financing, grants and school loan programs.
This is what their website says about the training.
jmzstl@reddit
So I looked them up, and it honestly sounds like one of the rare good FedEx contractors to work for. The fact that they actually have a website with useful info and resources for employees, as well as an active Facebook page where they shout out everyone's birthdays and company anniversary days is miles above what most FedEx contractors are doing.
Now I can't assess the pay and benefits and real world culture, but on the surface it sounds good, particularly if you're trying to get a local job. I still think 3 months of waiting and 3 months of training sounds excessive for local work, but I no longer doubt their authenticity.
I'd say try to wait it out, and let your manager know that you're feeling "unfulfilled" as you put it in the OP. It sounds like they have plenty of opportunities to change things up while you wait.
Blechdrinker420@reddit (OP)
Makes me feel better that an outsider sees it that way hahaha. I just feel like I’ve had a lot of blind loyalty for a while but maybe it just happens when you’ve worked somewhere too long without a change. I’m hoping this is the change I need and that I can stick it out till they are ready for me. Funnily enough I could see that you doubted the company which is why I shared the snippet from their website. I just had to defend them as unfulfilled that I am bahaha😂 they are definitely a family company and they throw 2 large parties every year which i always think about when I want to quit because those parties are the highlight sometimes and make it all worth it😂
Blechdrinker420@reddit (OP)
We are the only contractor who has it all funnily enough. When I first started I remember we had a meeting about how we are the only contractor in the us that does linehaul, p&d, and customs. So yes rare is correct. I don’t know much about their training program. All I know is that it takes 3-4 months to get me on the road by myself and that it’s very pricey for them. I had been trying to get my cdl for the past 4 years hoping they’d help pay and they told me they don’t pay because the training program they have is worth more or something
maybeplug@reddit
It’s a 6 month wait because that’s the amount of minimum experience they require you to have unfortunately brother. I never ever take what companies like FedEx (including contractors), or Amazon take to heart, they lie so much.
Linehaul is great money, but they almost never hire rookies, they want to trust experiences truckers to haul their loads, especially since you’re driving overnight. If you are serious about working linehaul, get you 6 months of experience, preferably with a double’s & triples endorsement & you will pretty much be qualified for all linehaul
Blechdrinker420@reddit (OP)
I’ve worked here for 4 years already just as a delivery driver. They said the training takes 3 months and they only have one person to train so 6 months until my turn😵💫
Mista_Tee@reddit
I used to work for FedEx Ground. It’s decent money, but you could do better. For someone with no experience, it’s a good place to start. Especially if you have a good relationship with your contractor. Stay put, get some experience, then get a job with a LTL company that has good benefits (paid vacation, holidays, healthcare, etc.).
Auquaholic@reddit
The ones you have to wait in line for are usually the good ones. But, I could be wrong not knowing the company.