We've been checking into companies for what seems like an eternity. there is just so much information out there for getting our CDL's it's not even funny. You could look for months and still not be any wiser!
Bottom line question would be, what is a good company to work for that not only sponsors CDL training, but is a good company for a husband\wife team to work for? We have no problem being away from home for weeks at a time, we'd like to be on road 3-4+ weeks and have 1 week off.
I know that every one has their own stories and point of views and experiences? We've looked at Pam thru Driver Solutions, Schneider, Roehl, Expedite Solutions (only because it's 2 weeks training and we don't separate, but we would rather get Class A) We know to avoid Swift and JB Hunt! Does anyone have any experiences with Driver Solutions out of Arkansas? We want to be split up "as little as possible" doing OTR training after getting CDL's, we expect 3-4 weeks but some companies it's 6-8 weeks and that won't work for us. And what about PAM transport? Roehl sounds great, but we don't have the tuition money to go to school in WI.
Please help us!

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Gary & Carley

training practices, but 3-4 weeks in my opinion is too short a training period, especially if you're training as a team. Neither of you will get enough driving experience in that short time period. It might be a wise decision to look for a company that has a more stringent training program. The more in a hurry you are, the more you risk not getting the proper training you need overall.

Covenant trains husband and wife teams together, 4-7 weeks, I think, as does IDC (Interstate Dist) except for the time being there is a hiring freeze for inexperienced drivers at least for the next month or so.

Good Luck to you!

You really should be trained at a MINIMUM of eight weeks then another four weeks with a trainer AT LEAST!! This will make you much safer drivers.

From all I see and read, a loan to pay for a community college course to get your licenses is really the best and safest way to go that wlil give you the most options once you're both licensed.

You might look into CRST. They drive teams and I no someone that works for them and seems to like it. They stay busy and get alot of miles.

My husband and I are having a problem deciding what to do. You can read about our experiences under my thread about My journey with school and IDC. We were all set to go with Interstate but then they put a freeze on everything! So here we were set to leave on Jan. 6 to start school and the Tuesday before that we are told the program is canceled for right now.

We both have horrible credit and can't get a loan for school. Our local Community College is $4100 per person. We tried to get a grant but don't qualify. So, we are looking at Roadmaster's school in San Antonio. They will approve us if we get a co-signer. Tried my parents but their credit didn't pass either, hubby's grandmother said she will do it but she has been sick and we can't get her to answer the phone or door (don't worry her son lives with her and she is fine, just not feeling well enough to talk to us!), but tonight hubby's brother said he will co-sign but we have to wait until Monday now.

What we are hoping to do is go to school at Roadmaster, then decide what company to go with. We are praying that by that time Interstate will have it together and take students. If not, I think we might go with USXpress. The reason is that they have told me that I can have a female trainer and that I don't have to go with a male. I was told that if one is not available it will be a short wait. Their fleet is supposedly made up of 33% female drivers. They have automatics and the teams are in new Volvos. You go out with your trainer for 4 weeks then you meet back up with your partner and get your own truck. They also have driver tech which is new system that is used instead of qualcomm and is one of the things we liked that Interstate also has.

I have also talked to Covenant. They do not have their own school either, so we would still have to go Roadmaster. I just haven't heard much good about them and feel that I would rather suck it up and go with USXpress even though we have to split up for 4 weeks.

The only company that has a school that I would even consider at this point is Schneider. And of course they don't train teams together either. That is our absolute last resort.

I have done tons of research the last few months and now really heavily the last week or so. If you have any specific questions at all please don't hesitate to ask. I will do my best to help you and give my honest opinion.

Good luck and keep us updated to what you decide and how it goes. Hopefully we will all be out on the road soon!

Here is a link to my thread, just in case you want to see what has been going on at Interstate!
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

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USExpress sounds awesome, Sassy. I'd go for that if you can!!!!

I am sure that she was talking about being OTR for 3 weeks at a time AFTER training. I don't think she was talking about a 3-4 week truckdriver school.

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Ah... if that's the case, that's great

Ok, Thanks all. US express we'll have to pay for school ourselves though, but we have looked before as they have nice equipment and my wife has seen several female operators. Covenent looks like they pay AWFUL to students and new drivers according to their own site! We will do more research. I realise whatever comapny we choose we just have to put in our time regardless. That's what we get for being newbies, I'm sure you've all gone thru "purgatory" on your way to where you are now. We just want to find the right school for company sponsored training is all!
Thanks.

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Gary & Carley