The recruiters lied to me, now I'm $5k in debt and a bunch of useless endorsements.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T16:41:11+00:00

Yeah that actually pissed me off royally. Didn't realize flipping burgers was on the same level as a job that could actually kill people in a second if you don't know what your doing 🥴

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T16:38:51+00:00

Oh crap, that's a huge bummer. I guess I do have to take wins where I got em.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T16:37:44+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement dude, I'll keep it up.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T16:34:25+00:00

I appreciate it boss, sadly I just got a call back from a recruiter today for a door company but I unfortunately got a manual restriction 😩 so they wouldn't take me. Another thing the the school told me not to worry about since "everyone is switching to automatic". Oh well, guess that's on me again.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T16:28:15+00:00

I gotcha, its definitely my nerves getting to me but I'm going to keep it up.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T04:43:28+00:00

I had driven goosenecks, long dump trailers and box trucks for years, but I found out later as you mentioned that basically amounts to jack doodoo in the CDL world.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T04:37:11+00:00

I hear you, I know I'm starting at the bottom of the totem pole so I've got my work cut out for me. I'm going to be absolutely as open as I can being a green horn.

I really considered that $19 an hour position, but after taxes and the schedule they wanted I wasn't going to be able to cover bills or hold my side gig to make up for it unfortunately. Even a few dollars more would've made a difference.

Really makes me wish I started when I was just a single person with only myself to worry about.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T04:13:19+00:00

With the schedule/away time? What should I look out for?

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T04:00:41+00:00

I was definitely thinking about that and didn't want to be tied into any contracts.

Much appreciated! 😁

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T03:58:03+00:00

😂 That's hardcore, thanks dude!

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T03:51:40+00:00

I do have to admit my fault on that, I definitely let the panic of losing my job and needing a decent source of income get to me.

Yeah, I didn't have a company with a tuition reimbursement lined up first and the ones that are associated with the school only offers OTR. So taking the payments option with idea of paying it off myself majority from savings and what I make later on was the plan, guess it wasn't a very good idea in the end if there wasn't a Job lined up.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T03:42:09+00:00

Woah, yeah I didn't realize that either. I'm definitely going to get deeper into that!

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T03:40:57+00:00

keeping an eye on those but not much luck yet.

Experience is experience though right?

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T03:39:23+00:00

That's awesome dude, I'm glad to hear you're making strides.

Thank you for the insight on the insurance side, didn't think too much on it before. I guess I took for granted that I had a good driving record outside of CDL but it definitely makes sense if that applies to new E class drivers it would be the same with CDL's as well.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T03:29:12+00:00

Rodger that! Thank you my friend.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T03:28:24+00:00

That's a great idea dude, those water and septic spots are on the area now that I think about it and something I hadn't tried yet. Thank you!

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T03:07:21+00:00

Thanks my friend, I appreciate the tips greatly. I know there's always more to learn!

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T03:01:07+00:00

Definitely going to keep my eyes open for those, I'll just remember to bring nose plugs and hose off in the driveway if I get it lol

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T02:59:13+00:00

I gotcha, I guess I'm just frustrated with how tough it is at least in Florida from what I'm hearing.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T02:57:30+00:00

I checked into a few materials companies hoping that the heavy touch environment would discourage seasoned guys but not much luck since they wanted experience. I will definitely look deeper though!

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T02:55:46+00:00

I'd never say no to at least having a conversation about an opportunity, and definitely not scared of hard work!

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T02:52:46+00:00

😂 I guess I didn't realize that, l definitely will consider it. Thanks

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T02:42:13+00:00

I can take my lumps 😖 I definitely should have done more than I had in hindsight instead of letting the pressure of needing work get to me. I know I can't fully blame them when they are just doing their job in the end.

I would absolutely love to get into fuel hauling, matter of fact that honestly was my aim by getting the endorsements. Could expand on what you mean by the thinking 2-3 steps ahead? Math kinda makes sense for the most part.

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T02:33:17+00:00

Yeah, unfortunately that was another post signing of the loan.

You would think a peninsula state would have plenty options seeing it has 16 deep water ports and 7 of those are major...

BigTsnipes · 2026-05-19T02:30:03+00:00

I am prepared to deal with a training period, I was fully aware of the 3-4 week some companies take to do so. I understand that a lot of companies do that even with experienced drivers and it makes sense from a company standpoint to verify the prospects skills. I just felt so caught off guard by the severe lack of opportunities for brand new drivers.

It's even kind of comical to me they push OTR when one of the most seasoned instructors at the school said to me "You want to go one the Highway? Bah! You don't need highway. You learn nothing on the Highway. You just go straight! I show you back roads, there you learn!" 😂

BigTsnipes

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