There is never enough expierence for this industry...

Posted by iIdentifyasToaster@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 27 comments

Ive had my CDL since i was 20, im 38 now. I had my class B and did delivery for years. Upgraded to A, did linehaul, was an owner operator, got all my endorsments, no restrictions, passport, twic been doing LPG since November last year. Spotless MVR and clearinghouse and very good customer manners from my years in car sales. Im not a "super trucker" i meticulously follow the speed limit on and off cab cameras. Ive been a mechanic as well. You wont find a previous employer that was happy I left them. I feel that at this point aside from learning the methods of a new process i should be fairly adequate for most any position in this industry or atleast an opportunity to start at an entry point, im not a mouth breather and learn fast. Throughout my driving career i feel like every job ive applied for they always want something or some amount of time you dont have. Like if you haven't been doing the thing youre trying to do you cant do that. It started when i was 20 nobody wanted to hire me till i was 21 lol. And every other job post that you have to convince people that you can do the thing you can do. Im shooting for the top now or what i see as that (for a home daily job) with bulk crude oil and hopefully this is my last point of not having enough expierence. I got an email back denying me an excellent! paying job because i only have 4 months liquid bulk versus the 12 they want despite the rest of my resume. I dont think im above and beyond or better than anyone else despite my first paragraph, im not looking to be hyped up im just a bit frustrated that at this point in my career despite bootstrapping and trying to do everything right im still not enough to land a job that pays me good for corporate greed hellhole we now live in. Like wtf do you have to do to be enough for this industry lol.

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27 Comments

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jgremlin_@reddit

>Like wtf do you have to do to be enough for this industry lol. Stop jumping. Most drivers will read your first paragraph and they'll be impressed by all the wide range of experience you have. Most hiring managers will read your first paragraph and think you sound like a jumper. I'm not saying you are a jumper. I couldn't know that without seeing your actual resume. But your first paragraph makes you sound like one. Lots of different types of driving, a few gigs that weren't driving at all, and now looking for a new gig after only 4 months. Jumping around a lot really does close a lot of doors for you. And often the doors that are left open, lead to the kinds of companies that no one wants to stick with.

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iIdentifyasToaster@reddit (OP)

I did 3 years at amazon till i hit the pay wall at 82k and they started cutting ot. Penske was promising an average not up to of 2100 a week. It was 1400 so i left. New authority i was pulling $300 loads. So i stopped. Lpg company im supposed to do 1700 a week . Im usually taking home under 1000 only hit that once. Ive never been a jumper but what else is my option if these companies aren't paying what they promised. Hauling hazmat tanker i cant be taking home 700 a week with 4 kids to support.

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jgremlin_@reddit

I hear you. But I'm just telling you how it looks to hiring managers. First thing I do when I get an app is start counting how many previous employers over the last two years. When it gets above 4 I stop counting and send the app to my not qualified folder. As for employers not paying what they promised, all I can say is pay close attention to the size of the company and who is making the promises and what's in it for them. And also pay attention to the exact language they use. If they say things like 'earn up to...' decide to be happily surprised if you get anywhere near that number before you've been with them for a few years. If its a company with several thousand trucks, know that you're talking to a recruiter who gets paid a commission for every hire. Which means they only care about getting you sign on and could care less if you quit a month later once you figure out that everything they told you was lie. I work for a 35 truck company. Hiring and training are only two of several roles that I'm responsible for. I'm paid salary and get no kind of commission or bonus for hiring someone or working extra hours to get my objectives met. If I hire someone and they flake on me in a month, that just makes extra work for me because now I'll have hire and train someone else instead using that time to get my other work done. Honestly if you really want to know what you can expect from a company in terms of typical pay/schedule/treatment, find their current drivers and ask them. And notice I said drivers not driver. Don't ask just one, ask as many as you can find and average the answers.

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iIdentifyasToaster@reddit (OP)

Yeah i never apply for the up to or top pay places. My issues came from places saying average pay. All throughout the hiring process, i check with each person they confirm it and then nothing comes to reality. Additionally this current job the new guy with me in training told me all about his friend here and how much he made. My trainer told me all about the pay. Then i got paid and its not even close. I dont get it.

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jgremlin_@reddit

Have you spoken to your manager about it? Do they know you're a flight risk?

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iIdentifyasToaster@reddit (OP)

I have not. My view is if i need to ask to get the minimum promised then there isn't enough available. They recently told me there was no work available the next day after a snowstorm until i agreed to take my run delayed by the snow despite being awake for 12 hours already. They also push me to go into personal conveyance to complete deliveries to tanks that are at capacity and push me out of hours. I'll rock the boat but not on a sinking ship.

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jgremlin_@reddit

>I have not. My view is if i need to ask to get the minimum promised then there isn't enough available. Do you know for a fact that the manager is aware of exactly what you were promised or exactly what you're expecting to make?

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iIdentifyasToaster@reddit (OP)

She just called me to let me know theres nothing available for tomorrow so im on call....

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Mechanik_J@reddit

The way she goes.

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FutureCorpse699@reddit

You don’t have the experience they require. The rest of your resume means fuck all. I don’t understand the confusion…

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iIdentifyasToaster@reddit (OP)

18 years of relevant experience down the drain because 6 instead of 12 months of tanker. Makes sense thanks for your input.

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FutureCorpse699@reddit

It’s clearly not relevant, though. Tanker is completely different than a van trailer. Or even flat bed. Sure, it’s still in the zoo, but it’s not the same animal. They require 6 months, you don’t have 6 months. It’s pretty straightforward.

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iIdentifyasToaster@reddit (OP)

I understand that 6 and 12 are different numbers . Ive just filled an lpg tanker as I type this. All im saying is I dont see how 6 months vs 12 months tank experience will differ an actual amount of skill level at all at this point in my career post someone picking a number in an office which is my entire gripe. 6 months difference doesnt mean i am not completely capable it means someone picked a number for whatever reason and thats the only reason im not qualified. I am successfully doing a similar job as we speak

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csimonson@reddit

This is essentially how it is in 90% of industries anymore.

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Scott_Delaney@reddit

It's entirely probable that it's their insurer requiring the 12 months experience.

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iIdentifyasToaster@reddit (OP)

Im sure thats it. Just sucks that the last 18 years dont mean anything in that case ya know

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gaseousogre@reddit

hqve you looked into fuel until you " meet thier qualifications"? I got in haveing no tank experience at all, i was and am clean from top to bottom, they liked that i had some experience with top heavy trailers (i hauled 53 and 56 ft possum bellies with wood chips for 2 years). That may help, I know both Kenan Advantage and Gemini Motor Transport(Loves Fuel hauling company) both hire without experience on tanker as long as you can pass the background

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floydguitarist@reddit

Some companies will just use that as an excuse to pay less. They actually will end up hiring a driver with less experience because they can get them cheaper

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Fried_Spy@reddit

You’re right. Some of these requirements are downright stupid. And also, a lion’s share of really good jobs are given to those with some connections. You can break into some uncharted territory on your own, it just takes more persistence. Just bombard them with reapplying, you’ve got nothing to lose.

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iIdentifyasToaster@reddit (OP)

Yeah i sent them back my best hr friendly email inquiring about the reasons i wasnt selected because i want to work for them bla bla bla they advertise 5-600 a day for home daily company driver if youre near their hub so im gunna stay top of that

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overpaidlazytrucker@reddit

Not all trucking jobs are the same and companies can be picky right now because things are slow. I guess it be like you drove a 53 foot van for 10 years and had interest in pulling turnpike doubles but 2 other people are applying that have been driving turnpike doubles for years. You're not getting the job.

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iIdentifyasToaster@reddit (OP)

Yeah ill never complain about being out qualified that makes perfect sense to me and in that situation the most qualified should get it of course

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Revolutionary-Wash88@reddit

When working in a dispatch office, we get tons of phone calls from drivers looking for a new job. When there is a lack of work i try to find a way to let them down gently. Occasionally after chatting about pay and experience I have told drivers to keep the job they have because it is better than what we have available. Networking is the best approach, sending emails could also help

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apeaquatic@reddit

Very impressive first paragraph. I think it's just the companies err on the side of caution more than them not willing to give you a chance. United States is an extremely litigious country so they probably don't want to take any chances that have the potential of exposing them legally. That's why they say, 12 months and not a second less. Otherwise, heaven forbid something happens (which it always may, regardless of your experience and impeccable MVR) and they will be in for a whole bunch of trouble. Don't take it personally. It's just the fact of life.

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Mickey10199@reddit

I recently applied to a job for a southeast regional driving roll. They called me up and I told them I have 2.5 years of experience driving southeast regional. They rejected me because they require 6 months of 48 state otr. Recruiter literally told me that even if someone has 10 years regional and a clean record they still can’t be hired without 48 state otr experience

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Medium_Chain_9329@reddit

Sadly there's always someone else with more experience who will do the job for the same pay, or someone else who works there has a friend with less experience but will do it for less.

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UlthredEmbry@reddit

This industry is full of dumb people. Keep pushing. Present yourself well and never give up. The difference between a poor and a millionaire is drive. Grind grind grind and never give up. Keep pushing. You got this. Don't be a bitch. Good luck my friend and fly safe