Looking into getting into company paid training school.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Mikos, Aug 29, 2010.

  1. Mikos

    Mikos Bobtail Member

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    Aug 29, 2010
    Parkersburg WV
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    Hello Trucker world.

    I am a 28/M/Parkersburg West Virginia, looking at getting into the trucking world. I have been looking into many sites, and trucking locations. I know that the first year will be tough. I just would like to know what would the best company to sign on with be for my first year? I need company paid training, because I can not afford to pay out of pocket.
    All the companies I have read about have HORROR STORIES, that makes me not want to get into it. Swift, Driver Solutions/P.A.M/USA Truck. Hogan, Roehl, Prime, and CRST all have real bad HORROR STORIES.... That is the companies that I have looked into so far. From what I have seen Swift looks like a good company to start in. Get my 1 year in, and get out. Any advice would be great. I also would like to know if I should get my WV State CDL permit before I goto the company school, or wait. Any info would be a help. I will listen to all. I want real answers, not just jokes, and bashings.

    Thank You
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2010
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  3. Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

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    call the companies. some will have you transfer your drivers license to the state in which they train you. then you go home once you get the cdl and transfer back to your state.

    just beware, they all will want you to sign a contract, this is normal. if you leave before your time, they make you pay the bill for the program. overall i do not recommend such training, but if this is the way you must go, then go for it.

    swift, werner, cr england (no don't), are about the only ones that i am familiar with, with swift being first.

    good luck to you, let us know how you do.
     
  4. Mikos

    Mikos Bobtail Member

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    Aug 29, 2010
    Parkersburg WV
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    Yes it seems like alot of people say no to Swift.....I do not want CR England, they are all automatic trucks. Automatics in Semi's=JUNK. I know this cause I went to Nashville Auto Diesel College to work on Big Trucks. They cost alot more to fix too if they go bad. Werner I was already warned about. That is out of my book also. Kind of looks like anywhere I go it will be crap for awhile.
     
  5. khakiblur

    khakiblur Bobtail Member

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    Aug 15, 2010
    Northern Indiana
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    I'm kind of in the same boat Mikos. One company I don't see on your list is Central Refrigerated. Another is Stevens Transport.

    I've applied this weekend to Roehl, Central, Stevens, and CRST. The only reason I app'd at CRST is the short contract. (8 months)

    Every company has horror stories, just try to get that experience.
     
  6. Mikos

    Mikos Bobtail Member

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    Aug 29, 2010
    Parkersburg WV
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    I think CReefer runs Automatics. CRST only thing I dont like its team driving. I do not want to be cooped up with a potential stinky body lol. Now Stevens, I have a friend I went to school with that is driving for them right now out of Texas. He left WV, to go drive. He did say they do train.. However I did see on a forum, that you needed a good chunk of change to go out there. I will only have about 200 to take whever I go I can not leave my wife without any Cash. I am still looking into Stevens also.
     
  7. Mikos

    Mikos Bobtail Member

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    Aug 29, 2010
    Parkersburg WV
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    BUMP This one up.
     
  8. kanidana

    kanidana Heavy Load Member

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    Mesa, AZ
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    I've been the training route before, and I lucked out getting a clean trainer, but I've heard horror stories about trainers in various companies. All I'm saying is you might have to deal with a stinky body at some point, at least for a little while. Two people cooped up in a small cab for days takes some getting use to, that's for sure.
     
  9. Mikos

    Mikos Bobtail Member

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    Aug 29, 2010
    Parkersburg WV
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    LOL # Kanidana...>I know this will be a real thing in the next couple months...BLAHHH LOL. That I can wait for ...
     
  10. chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

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    Central Ref doesn't run automatics and they are a pretty decent company. I worked for them for several years and had a really good experience. The rest of them I wouldn't go near. I am not sure why all newbies want to do this get in get out deal. Trucking is like any other career. The more jobs you have the worse it looks on your applications. Why not find a good company to start with and stay with them. Aren't you setting yourself up for failure planning to quit before your hired? Stay away from the mega-companies and you will not have this problem! Once again, find a good mom and pop carrier or owner operator willing to take you on. Central is a smaller company and a pretty good outfit. They are large enough to keep you busy. They also have a school in which to train you. Their main terminal is in Salt Lake where the school is. You may want to check with some other drivers but I believe they have a school in NY and just opened one up at their Atlanta,Ga terminal. Welcome to the forum and good luck to you!
     
  11. Mikos

    Mikos Bobtail Member

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    Aug 29, 2010
    Parkersburg WV
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    Did you go through training with them? If so how much cash did you need to take with you. I will look more into this for sure.
     
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