Beginning the Long Awaited CDL Process

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Wedge, Oct 14, 2010.

  1. Wedge

    Wedge Road Train Member

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    Merlin, I will always welcome your comments and observations. All threads need a period hijacking from time to time. Keeps it interesting!:biggrin_255:

    Pizza?? I wish you hadn't said pizza. Now I'm hungry! :biggrin_2558:
     
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  3. Rknightpd

    Rknightpd Light Load Member

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    Yeah ME TOO!:biggrin_25525:
     
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  4. Rknightpd

    Rknightpd Light Load Member

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    HMMMMMMM I wonder what the lava lamp would look like attached to the hood? HMMMM. May be to much of a drain on the inverter:biggrin_2559:

    Scince we're havin a little fun
    Randy
     
  5. Rknightpd

    Rknightpd Light Load Member

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    Funny you should mention Swift, I talked to a recruiter from Swift they have spouse program. I can go to cdl & training get through probation period and take trainer class then Susan can come thru school at no cost, and I can train her. Sounds cool except 13 mo. contract. Same with Roehl almost except no spouse prgm.

    I wonder why company's don't do training on local hauls where your back in everyday. Just wondering, somebody probably has already, I'm not that smart. It does seem it would take care of some issues especially where lady drivers are concerned.

    We don't actually start school until Jan and it's a technical college. We can fill out an app. there, no sweat, if they can't transfer compus test (I don't see why not)then we'll take it again there. If all that fails then we may just show up at the door, fill out the app. and see what happens.:biggrin_255:

    Good luck Wedge,
    Randy
     
  6. Wedge

    Wedge Road Train Member

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    Companies want to get you aclimated to OTR. Short distance deliveries with a back haul to get you home at night would be impractical.

    Freight companies need to move product, even when you're in training. Staying local might be convenient, but it won't get you trained properly.
     
  7. sammycat

    sammycat "Oldest Hijackerette"

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    And unfortunately once you are local or not driving 90 days most OTR companies will consider you no longer 'know how to drive' and will want you to take a refresher course. Too bad since local driving can in it's self be challenging doing alot of city driving/delivering.
     
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  8. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    It's a lot easier to roll down the interstate or highway than it is to hit some of the docks I've seen local drivers getting into.
     
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  9. wulfman75

    wulfman75 Road Train Member

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    Everyone assumes OTR companies think locals can't drive. I think they are more worried about you adapting to life in a truck as opposed to being home every night. Then again what do I know. :biggrin_2559:

    I remember my dad telling me when he interviewed at Pepsi they told him they didn't like OTR drivers because all they wanted to do was drive, not get out and do the rest of the job. :biggrin_25523:
     
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  10. Wedge

    Wedge Road Train Member

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    I think the OTR companies are afraid to hire local drivers not because they lack talent, but because chances are they'll most likely decide OTR is not for them. And Mr. Local Driver may decide all this while he's under load, and may even abandon the truck. Too big of a risk, IMO.

    Wulfman's right. A driver adapting to OTR is a big question mark. Companies will have a better success rate with a newbie than someone who's been delivering potato chips for 5 years.
     
  11. Rknightpd

    Rknightpd Light Load Member

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    Good Morning All,
    All the opinions posted have valid point, however a person thats been driving for awhile and applies for an OTR job ought to know by then what that means, also the company should have made their responsibilities/ requirements for the position known.

    As for someone Applying for an OTR job fresh out of school they don't know squat about the position or the business, don't get me wrong I'm not saying how their trng is wrong, just expressing a different point of view I guess.

    But the main thing, either way is that the new driver learns to operate the truck safley. Around here Atlanta area you can drive to Chattanooga, Birmingham, and back to Atlanta, in 14 hr day, and you're gonna drive freeway, highway, city, backing in and pulling out of docks, weigh stations and even depending on where you go a few short steep grades.

    I was just expressing my thoughts as to training procedures pertaining to Women. Husband and Wife teams are good for the company's, they keep team cost to companys down( most are company's are getting to where they pay same cpm solo or team) pay is going to same house.

    I know we could go on & on with this issue but there is something pertaining to this thread more important right now.:biggrin_2558:
    Wedge, unless I missed it somewhere I still haven't seen you mention who you're driving for and when you're starting, are you close yet?
     
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