You ask about the negative comments you see. Here's the real skinny (IMO). Trucking can be stressful. The combinations of problems, IE: bad miles week, truck problems, company problems, poor dispatching, rough time with shipping and recieving docks, bad wx, wife is mad you missed anniversary, etc... (there are many more, but my fingers get tired) all can make "Jack" a ticked off boy (or girl). With your VA comments, I think I can safely assume (yes I know the meaning) that you were a career GI, therefore are quite used to red tape and foul-ups beyond your control.
About the negative comments on companies: Each company has problems. Some problems will make it so you wish to seek greener pastures. I left Swift because my DM repeatedly dangled an hourly wage/local job just outside my reach. "It'll be next month" or quarter, etc.. while she put other folks into the division (for 12 months). The continious carrot routine ticked me off and I found a (local) job that makes anything Swift can offer look like a joke. My results are NOT typical. I just got lucky.
That doesn't mean that Swift is a bad company. I had a bad DM. That's one out of 1,000. Prior to that I had an awesume DM, who got fired because he kept a racey joke on his email, instead of reporting it. Good man, bad decision. Does Swift do somethings wrong? Heck yes! As does Interstate, TWT, SRT, Etc.. (see tired fingers above).
FYI: check out your local ARMY bases for Left Behind Equipment programs. They hire drivers to move equipment around base. They really like ex-GI's.
Hope, I've helped.
Pal
Need some advice! On Truck Driver Training.
Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by ad3flyer, Jul 31, 2010.
Page 2 of 3
-
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
need advice on stevens transport training school in dallas?
-
....it's gonnah be alottah yellin
especially when your name is not on the insurance
-
-
Hey ad3 I went to National Training Inc down there in Jville, this past May and as a vet I'll tell you like it is.
The instructors are really knowledgeable: Harold, Skip, Mike and Sam. All great guys and very professional. Skip takes a little getting used to but he's a wealth of knowledge. Most are old retired Navy/ or military guys so they understand and alot of the class is military too, so thats a plus.
The 33 homestudy lessons, time consuming and a PITA but it has alot of good information in it. I bypassed it the easy way..lol
Accomodations: Students stay at the Green Cove Inn, in Green Cove Springs florida. Nice little town, but you'll have to drive to get anywhere. The school is 7 miles from the training ground. The rooms are two beds a piece and usually you share with another student for a reduced price. They change the linin like everyday or every other day, so its not bad as long as you have a decent/clean roomate. Mine was another Marine so we got along great. And we alternated carpooling duties everyday to save miles/gas. So that worked out as well. They also have private rooms, but you'll pay extra to board alone.
The school: Roll call # 7a sharp most mornings. 3 late and you get counseled. Youre Navy so you understand the concept of being somewhere. The class size is usually 24, if its more than that its going to be a royal PITA. The class is split down the middle, one half does road while the other half does pre/trip and backing.
Equipment: road trucks are not late model as the brochure would have you believe, the brochures are like 10 years old at best. They have an International 9400, a Peterbilt 387 and a Freightliner classic. 3 students per truck. These trucks are only for the road and the shifting track. After the first day of the instructor showing you the details of upshifting/downshifting, you are left to your devices with the other students to go around the track getting the mechanics of it down. This really helped before going on the road.
Backing pad trucks and the pretrip truck are old and worn out as expected. nuff said on that. If you do go, you will hate that POS ford they have but in the end you will love it. Believe me.
classes go from 330-5/5:30 most days. No saturdays except for the first weekend as it starts on a Tuesday. Backing/Shifting go from 7ish till 3, with a 30 min break.
All in all I was impressed with the school, the grounds are clean. You cant walk on the grass and the instructors were very professional. anything else you want to know, just send me a PM or ask here.
Good luck -
I'll keep you all informend as my journey begins in the industry. -
Mike Adams is a really really good instructor
-
-
) As well as Skip, Dennis and Harold, Im in my second week in school right now and having a good time.
The work everyone has went through to get there CDL I give a big props.
I never knew how much was really involved in driving. ALOT!!!! lol
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 2 of 3