Looking for company with......???

tarping is not that bad, I thought I might have a hard time with it but am doing very well with it. The hardest part is rolling the tarp up after you untarp the load but even that is not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I am still likeing it very much and am still very happy I went with McElroy, they are a great company. I've got two more weeks on the truck with the trainer and then one week back in Cuba at the terminal and then I will get my own truck. Can't wait. My trainer say's that I am ready now but I want the full seven weeks of training to be safer.

 

overheard,

How many weeks have you completed training with McElroy? Was your trainer giving you the option to hit the road on your own with less than 7 actual weeks of company training? I have heard that some company's will allow really great drivers to exit training a little earlier than some other drivers and wonder if this was the case in yours?

 

They will put out on your own in less than seven week but that is up to your trainer and yourself if both think you are ready to solo. Driving is not all they look at, safety is first and then driving, securement, tarping, keeping up the log book properly, map reading, attitude and appearance. They are really strict on all of this. They have a great reputation to upkeep and will do what it takes to keep that reputation. You are home every weekend, and will take a 10 hour break every day on the road. If you have previous experience you won't have to go through the full seven weeks if after the week of orientation and first week of training at the home terminal they think you are ready then you will go solo without the rest. In my opinion McElroy is a great company to work for, so far everyone I have met with the company treats you like a human and not a number, even Mr. McElroy himself is down to earth and will speak to you and even takes part in the final week of training, if you see him around the terminal and speak to him he will stop and have a conversation with you, he really cares about his drivers. Not only is he a good boss he is a great person. I am not solo yet, but my trainer thought I was ready after the first week on the truck, but I went to McElroy to get all the training I can get before I get out there solo. I will start my third week on the truck Monday even tho the trainer thinks I am ready to go solo, but I want to have peace of mind for myself and the seven weeks really passes quicker than you think. I just want that peace of mind of knowing that I am safe enough to be out on the road hauling 80,000 pounds with my kids and grandkids traveling on the roads around me. (figure of speech) Now to answer your question, you don't have to go through the full seven weeks of training if everyone involved thinks you are ready to go solo. I hope all this helps in what you are looking for.

Don

 

I have worked for Maverick for 6 months and I admire the fact that you are staying in training a little longer to learn more. As professional drivers we should always be aware of the fact that we can always learn and in flats you will learn every time you have a load. Keep a good attitude and you will learn every load. Tarping is the hardest thing we do but every time it gets a little easier and you learn little tricks and shortcuts to make it easier......wonderman

 

Just an FYI.

Our company requires 2-3 years verifiable driving experience. Which is funny because how can you get experience if nobody will hire you.?

 

I found a good company in arkansas, not too far from where you are, I am not shure about signing a contract, however, I do know that they are highly respected in the industry and charge about half the price most other schools are charging. I went thruogh a sponsered school and had to sign on for six months. Those fees were just over three thousand dollars, but you can make that back in the first year easy. I can tell you more details if you like, you can contact me through this venue or you can e-mail me by adding yahoo.com to my handle. It may take awhile to respond 'cause I am only home on the weekends. goodluck drive55cat

 

Overheard,
Havent seen anything from you in a while. How are things going? I assume you are out on your own now.

 

You can check into CFI. Their training program is partial sponsorship, you would pay a minimal amount. They will train teams at the same time. They do not have their own training school but instead use PTDI certified schools. At this time I know they have a school they use in Neosha, MO and also one in Drumright, OK. I would recommend the Drumright school but have also heard good of the MO school. They are also adding more schools.

If you would like to read about their schools and student experiences you can go to www.cfi-drivers.com.

Good luck!

 

Hi everyone, I am out on my own now have been for two weeks and things are going great. I really like McElroy and the being home on weekends. This week I went to Ohio, Oklahoma, Ft. Worth, Dallas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas. There are plenty of miles and get home every weekend too. I'm still learning alot, something new every day but I'm getting the expierience, but still have a long way to go. The biggest problems I have been having is finding somewhere to shut down for my 10 hour break. Alot of the highways don't have anywhere to pull off for miles and miles to rest.

Thanks for Asking
Don

 

You gotta pull over earlier than you have been, in the busy places, five or six in the evening, any later, forget about it.........drive55cat