Companies that train, pay while you train, and aren't quick to wash you out

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by JimsK, Feb 20, 2013.

  1. JimsK

    JimsK Bobtail Member

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    I really appreciate your advice. I've often noticed mixed reviews about a lot of companies and promotions, but: 1) I have heard nothing good about C.R. England, and 2) I have heard nothing good about the lease/purchase deals the companies keep pressing on folks.
     
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  3. Cjh_army

    Cjh_army Medium Load Member

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    Jim, also if you are looking for training, go to your unemployment office. See if your state will cover the cost to go to a private school.

    If the state does, often times they cover living expenses, and as a added bonus, you get to pick what company you work for, and aren't tied to a contract.

    Or if applicable, GI Bill.

    Whether you go to a company sponsored school or a private one, best of luck.
     
  4. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    per usual the newbie wannabes and almost drivers have all the answers
    while correct prime and central information
    and supposedly CRE info is correct
    Transam doesnt train you must hold a CDL already to be employed there
    so your not comparing apples and apples are you
     
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  5. Cabover_Charles

    Cabover_Charles Bobtail Member

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    It's the newbies that are doing most of this research into the exact question he is asking. We are here to help because we had his EXACT same question ourselves at one point not long ago. I don't know how many hours upon hours of research myself and others have done...calling recruiters, emailing companies, scouring websites, searching forums, reading reviews, etc etc. Perhaps a newbie can actually save this guy tons of trouble by offering him a few pointers to get him headed in the direction he's looking for.

    Thanks for the correction, I meant Swift and I put transam because I was on the Transam website reading their driver benefits. My fingers and brain got a bit fumbled up there. I've actually heard good things about Transam, especially owner-operators. Transam and Total Transportation is who I originally wanted to work for, but I can't afford school of course. Hopefully I'll be able to work for one of them after my first year somewhere else.

    Someone on here mentioned possible grants at the unemployment office, and I believe the grant he is referring to is the W.I.A. (Workforce Initiative Act) grant. To qualify for this grant, you must be eligible to receive unemployment benefits, which essentially means you need to have laid off from a job. Since the economy has gotten worse, this grant may have expanded to allow more people, but as far as I know you have to be recently laid-off.

    By the way, Jim, have you considered community college? Google community colleges in your area that provide CDL training. Many of these colleges have extended the length of their programs so that students can qualify for Pell Grants up to $4,500. A benefit to doing that is that community colleges offer excellent training in comparison to the private academies. Most community colleges will fully train you on reefers, flatbeds, hazmat, tankers, and give you way more hours of study than a typical academy. Alot of companies (Con-Way, for example) will even set you up with their local community college, pay 80% of your tuition, which includes housing, food, licensing fee's, and more. Sure it's not quite as "free" as going to Prime or Central, but you'll be getting excellent training, better pay, and better company management.
     
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  6. passion4polishing

    passion4polishing Road Train Member

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    If you wait for a special central ref will train you for free if you stay a year. Every few months the run a one or two week free training special; that's how I got my CDL. If you are a fast learner you will be out on your own much faster than with prime (about 7 weeks from start to solo), but if you need a slower paced course central will be a tough way to go.
     
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  7. wyldhorses

    wyldhorses Medium Load Member

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    If you are thinking about Prime, remember you have to have a PERFECT, and I mean PERFECT employment history to get hired by them. If you have ANY periods of unemployment on your application, they will reject you and not hire you. Just to let you know.
     
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  8. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Huckstah has never walked through the front door of either of these carriers, and yet KNOWS EVERYTHING. Amazing.

    I can't say about Central, but Prime does not "push leases," and will discipline and/or terminate those who do. In the nearly three years I drove on the company side at Prime, I was never approached once about leasing.

    That's not entirely true. If you have short periods between jobs on your resume, that's not a problem. Its periods where people have gone for months without employment that they have heartburn over. I don't agree with this, especially in the current economic climate where folks have to do quite a bit of soul-searching before abandoning careers to turn to trucking.
     
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  9. huckstah

    huckstah Light Load Member

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    @ironpony, when I warned him about these companies pushing leases on you, it's because I've talked to Prime and Central drivers that have warned me about it. Plain and simple. Whether that applied to your individual situation, I have no idea. But anyone can search on the Prime or Central sub-forum about the leasing horror stories and see for themselves. You don't have to walk through a door when there are already multiple negative posts coming from their actual drivers. Don't be so condescending and so defensive when users are just giving advice. The guy is going through the EXACT same situation I've been in, along with many others, and we are all here to share what we can
     
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  10. ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

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    Who's being condescending? You are posting BS on this forum as if you have actually experienced it - which you haven't. I've driven for Prime for going on 6 years now - both sides, company and lease. Since I have actual experience, I can tell you with authority how things work at Prime. As far as "pushing leases," I'm here to tell you that it doesn't happen, with perhaps ths misguided efforts of an individual or two. Anyone who is reported doing that to management finds out quickly that it isn't tolerated. Why can I tell you that?? BECAUSE I HAVE REAL EXPERIENCE at this carrier.
     
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  11. Cabover_Charles

    Cabover_Charles Bobtail Member

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    sounds alot like ironpony is getting his panties in a wad because 2 different people made a *gasp* negative comment about the company he works/worked for. calm dude, huckstah and wildhorses was only giving david the same advice most other people on this forum are giving. don't take things so personally. i have also heard nightmares from Prime students, lol, I think everybody on this freakin forum has. It's not like its a big secret, it's well-known around here!

    if you got problems with what people say, why cant you be more respectful and drop the whole attitude when you say something to them. even if huckstah was wrong about one detail it doesn't mean you should lash out like a total ### at him or the other guy. chill out dude!
     
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