Have A Question?
Ask James S. McCormack
Ask James S. McCormack
Trucking Careers of America
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| Speakers' Panel Tasking questions from truckers |
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There is no such thing as a 'stupid question', especially when you are just beginning a career as a professional truck driver. There is a great deal to know and learn and sometimes, like any new career, trying to absorb information is just overwhelming.We are here to help and want to do everything we can to help you succeed. So feel free to ask questions on this page of both myself and other drivers.
I graduated from cdl training school more than a year ago, but couldn't go to work as an otr driver right away because of some family issues. Now I'm ready to drive, but because I don't have any recent driving experience or cdl training, will I have to go back to school again?
ReplyDeleteYou will probably have to take a CDL Refresher Course at either an independent CDL training school or through a trucking company offering this. Generally, a CDL Refresher Course is less expensive through a trucking company than through an independent CDL training school. But there are only one or two trucking companies currently offering CDL Refresher Courses. You might want to visit our website at www.bigtrucksbigbucks.com for additional information. All the best,
ReplyDeleteJames S McCormack
Trucking Careers of America
hello, I am considering starting a career as an OTR driver. I spoke to CRST about their "free or covered CDl class, but I have been unemployed since 2008 and did not collect unemployment because I was an independent Contractor. I started a business but was nor registered or incorporated and had no profit loss statement. I still want to pursue a OTR career, how can I overcome this employment roadblock? I am taking your advice to go to a private school instead of a company program which locks me in timewise and into a possibly bad situation where I'm in debt and without a job. Not a great place to be in. I appreciate your blog. I am a vet from 1974-1978 is there a veteran's program I can take advantage of to help pay for school? I know I do not qualify for the post 911 education program. Thanks for any information you can provide.
ReplyDeleteUntil you can find a way to provide at least (1) year of verifiable employment within the past (3) years, you are going to have a very difficult time getting a truck driving job with any large company, no matter where you get your CDL training.
ReplyDeleteYou might consider trying to get a commitmmentfor a job with a small, local company, or a Mom-Pop company before going through training. Once you are assured of having a driving job, then contact a CDL training school and discuss their tuition fees and various financial aid programs to find out what works best for you. You may find a school that offers in-house financial aid assistance.
My husband has 5 yrs OTR CDL class A experiance. We lived in Tennessee, and last yr the company he worked for asked us to move to Illinois, so he would be closer to the terminal, So we sold our house rented a UHaul and were off to Illinois, 4 hours from our old house in Tennessee.
ReplyDeleteWell working for the company they wanted him to switch his CDL class A to Illinois,but would not allow them the use of there trucks to do so.
That was a yr ago.. He since had to quit the company because they would not allow him to drive for them, because he had a out of state valid CDL A license. Now he wants to go back to OTR but cant because he does not have a RIG to use for the Driving Potion of the DMV Test. What can he do, no company will hire him with out a valid CDL A. License. Can anyone HELP?
If he has an active CDL License, we can probably get him hired with a good company. On the other hand, if he no longer has an active CDL license we can work with him to get his license back.
DeleteHow old does a felony conviction need to be in order to get a truck driving job?
ReplyDeleteFelony conviction hiring policies can vary from company to company, and are also dependent on the type and nature of the felony. We posted a hiring guide at www.bigtrucksbigbucks.net/2012/05/otr-driving-jobs-convicted-felons.html that may be helpful.
ReplyDelete