Considering getting a Class A CDL, what’s the best path for getting a job as a new grad with no exp? (2024)

That's usually low paying & highest hassle type of work. Also, it doesn't count toward future CDL A experience.

I also did "qwik"...in lieu of "quick".... in another post above....just to see if anybody was paying attention there, too.

But thanx...

-- L

Yeah, but it is a paycheck while I am looking for something CDL-A. On the low paid, at least in short term, might actually be more than some of these entry level OTR jobs report as earnings if you can knock out 40 hours a week. Only a dollar an hour lower than starting log truck jobs in the area.

Hassles, yeah, students and parents. I accepted the offer just to get myself behind a wheel and keep some money coming in. Home every night, obviously. Don’t start for a couple of weeks so time for other stuff to come in.

If you can't confirm/don't know what you're getting....when you get there....then why even bother going?

If they're not professional enough to clarify what you will first be doing -- why trust them with your next 6 months?

Wow.

Just.

Wowww....

-- L

I'm not saying it's wrong to drive school busses or you shouldn't do it. Is it full-time with benefits? In my area it's a part-time job. You work a couple hours in morning, a couple hours in afternoon.

part to full to overtime depending on your appetite for hours, or so says the interviewer.

Fairly decent benefits.

5k sign on bonus, kinda amazing that. Pays out pro rata.

Definitely agree that the driver shortage is a myth.

Local CDL jobs on craigslist are way down from earlier this year, especially the no experience necessary type. Those are gone now but lots 6 months ago when I was deciding to get CDL and was a big factor. Feels like a rugpull now.

Oh well. Life goes on and in the grand scheme of things this is a pretty minor setback. I have ended up out of it with my Class A CDL, that alione is pretty cool

May recruiter has said she has me on for Sep 9 start but crickets since. I will go with this if the opportunity does indeed present.

Heartland Express seemed awfully interested, but then said their safety manager said no.

In the meantime, walking it thru with bus job. Still putting out applications.

K&B said need 12 months experience. They did call quickly.

I agree. I don’t trust them. I have my reasons, I’m not a truck driver. I drive trucks.

Swift recruiter spammed me with emails for a day or two saying he really wanted to talk to me.

So I called the number, left a message, and have not heard from him since.

In my previous career in IT, I was heavily involved in hiring. I don’t want to overrate that experience, but I have to say I am kind of appalled at how careless some of these companies are in their approach to applicants.

Lots of their applicants will not pass a drug test. Lots of their applicants will not make it through orientation. The companies are NOT shorthanded. Every applicant costs them thousands of dollars & then leave quickly.

Think of your reaction to dozens of pan-handlers knocking on your door every day.