Hello everyone,
First and foremost I have been all over this forum and the wealth of knowledge I have gained from this place is by far, better than coming in blind! I have been out of the army for about 1 yr and was in there for about 7 yrs.
In January, after this college semester, I am going to be attending a local driving school. I know they help with job "placement" (or hand you applications) afterwards. I have narrowed my search down to 3 companies really. I was looking at either TMC, SNI or US Xpress.
I am very business oriented and am working on a degree in business management. Very discipline when it comes to money and detail oriented. I have been around trucking, step dad and father, for all of my life. I want to get in to it with a long term goal of running dryage and intermodal out of the Savannah ports later on down the line.
I really am weighing heavily on the fact that US Xpress is not governed at 60, bring in veterans recently honorably discharged at 38CPM and have a decent O/O program for when I decide to get a truck a couple years down the road.
But I am keeping my options open and welcoming all opinions.
Now that I have rambled on some, the guidance I am looking for is if there are any other military vets out there ( or experienced truckers that have talked with vets) that has taken advantage of any of these trucking companies that have veteran incentives? If anyone knows of any other company that has benefits for veterans?
Veteran with a question
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by lcfd15, Sep 19, 2014.
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Look at warhippy's thread "Schneider Orientation Fontana July 1". Retired Army. He is teaming with his son, also military.
Chinatown will be long shortly to give you some good advise also. -
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I think Crete has a veterans program also. Personally, I wouldn't give too much weight to a companies "down the road" O/O program in making a decision on a starter company.
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I have looked in to Crete in this area (around Savannah, GA) and they have said that I would need 3 months prior to being considered. -
SNI has an intermodal division. I know CT is there in Savannah but not sure what they offer. Had to pick up at a SNI warehouse next to them.
lcfd15 Thanks this. -
Thanks for the heads up. I have looked into SNI here in Savannah and have to get at least 6 months behind me before I could get into that division. I have so many options and just trying to see if I could fit in with 1 company with a lot of options (starting Company and than going O/O in what I am looking for) as I really do not like switching companies. I like doing homework and staying at a place as long as possible. I know that this is a changing lifestyle and a company that is doing good now could be gone tomorrow. I am just trying to look for something that I wont have 3 or 5 different companies in a 2 year span. I like having a solid work history, hence the 7 yrs in the army. I would have stayed, but apparently when you hit 4 road side bombs they tend to not need your services anymore in a combat MOS (luckily I still have all my body parts).
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Congratulations on being home.
Schneider Bulk would be a good choice and they can make you an 0/0 pulling tankers. Savannah is tanker heaven.
Other good choices that hire new CDL grads:
Superior Carriers
CTL Transportation
Trimac Transportation
SVTN
Tidewater Transitlcfd15 Thanks this. -
Thank you very much Chinatown, I will also look in to those companies. I have heard that as well from some other locals around here. I am going to be grabbing my permit and knocking out my endorsements before the CDL school so I can get my Hazmat in order before trying to get on with a company. I did drive for 3 years in Pennsylvania before my army career, but it was Class A intrastate PA since I was under 21, but it was a 6 wheeler in N Jersey and N York. I had let my CDL go when I joined the army because I thought I was going to be staying in for 20 years and would not need it...... 8 years after that decision, here I am going to a CDL school... go figure!
Chinatown Thanks this. -
I looked real hard at TMC but they didn't have anything in our area. My son and I are happy with our decision and doing well. Lots of similarities between Army/USMC and truck driving. Have to be self motivated, self disciplined and able to deal with BS on a daily basis. Not so much BS from the company but more from shippers/recievers and other drivers. You learn patience real quick.
Even though I am happy with Schneider if TMC had something in Colorado I probably would have went with them only because they started higher.
I can tell you we are exceeding what they advertise for teams (5000-6000 miles a week) and I was solo for a week and a half and it was the same (3000 miles in 6 days). I'm finding out that is where the self discipline, trip planning, time management and other attributes the military instills came in quite handy.
Military Apprenticeship takes about three months to start but I do know it works. Not Schneiders fault it's our wonderful Veterans Affair place.
Anyhow Good Luck and if you need anything just holla!
Dennis
"Warhippy"
Old retired 12B 1SG
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