Page 36 - ATR 6 2015 web 2

adults who are interested in driving a
truck as a career. The burden is then on
companies to put the youngest drivers
in the most coveted driving positions.
“Now the studeNt is so much differeNt. Sikora explains, “Most local jobs means
i rememBer wheN i first started teachiNg. you’re home every night. Those jobs
usually require you to have some experi-
there were a lot of guys who told me, ‘oh ence. They want X amount of over-the-
yeah, i’ve BeeN waitiNg to drive trucks ‘til i road miles and/or time.”
Sikora says, the type of driver that
turNed 21 aNd Now i caN drive iNterstate.’ enters CDL programs now is different
you doN’t fiNd those studeNts. you’ll than it was 8 or 9 years ago in his expe-
get them oNce iN a while, But to get a rience.
classroom of 15 people, i’d Be safe to say “Before, you were getting people
you might fiNd oNe iN there.” that wanted to drive trucks. When
I grew up, I had a belt buckle with a
Peterbilt sign on it. I always wanted to
—scott sikora, college of the ouachitas be a truck driver.
“I started noticing, up until I left a
large CDL school, the majority of peo-
ple — BY FAR — are people that this was
not their first choice.”
ing at ABF Freight, says, “With the truck driving school graduates don’t Sikora says, he used to ask the
current driver shortage, I do not see exactly face the same problem. Kasi question and students would tell him.
many barriers to entry into the field Pratt explains, “At ABF Freight we “You go around the room, none of
of professional truck driving. We do require 1 year of experience rather them had wanted to be a truck driver.
have an age requirement. In order than 3-5 years of experience, but yes, They were there because life circum-
to obtain an interstate commercial we do pride ourselves on recruiting top stances have now put them in this posi-
driver’s license, you must be 21 years talent with good safety records. Safety tion. They felt this was the only thing
of age. Candidates for a driving posi- is a priority for us. If a candidate does that they knew they could do to make
tions within ABF Freight are required not have 1 year of verifiable tractor/ the money.”
to have a Class A commercial driver’s trailer experience, we have various The ban on interstate freight for
license with doubles/triples, tanker training programs that we can offer to drivers under 21 isn’t new, but Sikora
and hazmat endorsements; a mini- adequately train the employee so that says the student who will wait around
mum of 1 year of tractor/trailer driv- they are able to work as a part-time or for his chance to drive is more rare.
ing experience; a safe driving record; full-time driver for us after successful “Now the student is so much dif-
and all of our drivers must pass a DOT completion of the training.” ferent. I remember when I first started
pre-employment drug screen and meet teaching. There were a lot of guys who
DOT medical requirements.” young blood told me, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve been waiting to
Scott Sikora, the driving instruc- Though it was discussed hotly drive trucks ‘til I turned 21 and now I
tor at the College of the Ouachitas’ during negotiations for the December can drive interstate.’
new CDL program, agrees, “One thing highway bill, federal regulations still “You don’t find those students.
about this industry is that we have prohibit CDL-holders younger than 21 You’ll get them once in a while, but to
fewer barriers in many ways.” from crossing state borders or carrying get a classroom of 15 people, I’d be safe
In other industries, new graduates freight that originated in another state. to say you might find one in there,” he
find job ads that require at least 3-5 The forthcoming exception is for young continued.
years of experience. The paradox—how veterans. With the establishment of a
do I get a job without work experi- pilot program, CDL-holding veterans who cAn test my drIVIng
ence? And how do I get work experi- who are under 21 will be able to carry students?
ence without a job?—keeps them in interstate freight, unlike their civilian The College of the Ouachitas, in
their parents’ basement and in unpaid counterparts. Malvern, Ark., is launching a 5-week
internships for longer than previous While the pilot program is a good CDL program to help meet the recruit-
generations. first step, the rule limits the options for ing needs of some of the carriers in
Because of the driver shortage, high school graduates or other young the region. With a waiting list for the

36 ArkAnsAs truckIng rePort | Issue 6 2015