Which Training Companies Run to Maine

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by R2_, Jun 28, 2008.

  1. R2_

    R2_ Bobtail Member

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    Sep 18, 2007
    Thorndike, Maine
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    I don't like the idea either, the reason I started this thread was to find out what training companies run to Maine on a regular basis, because at some point all drivers would like to have some home time. Based on my online reading and research, you stand a better chance of getting home more often if you live either by a terminal or shipper or receiver.
    If there was a company that ran Florida to California, chances are that they don't hire drivers from Maine because they can't get them home with a load, or back to their freight lanes with a load.
    Like I said before, right out of school I wanted to go with Wolding or Roehl, but they don't come this far North any more. They used to haul paper out of Brewer and Old Town, and recruited drivers from this area. That makes good sense. But now they only do business in Southern Maine. So they don't want adrivers from this far North because the driver would spend 2 hours getting home with the truck and 2 hours getting back, burns a lot of fuel and takes a bite out of your work day, maybe not allowing you to be able to have enough hours in a day to get the load where it's going. I didn't always understand these things, lets say it wasn't in the truck school information packet! This site has really helped me to understand things better.
    The whole reason that there is a truck school in Bangor is that at one time there was a demand for drivers from here.
    Some companies still hire out of Maine, hell some of the bottom feeders will hire guys from here with no intention of ever getting them home, the drivers just quit and they get new ones, they don't care, they make money just putting them through training.
    I guess I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and go with a company to get my training, and not worry about home time, can't blame a guy for wanting to have the best of both worlds. It's a lot harder for guys with families.
     
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  3. milestogo

    milestogo Light Load Member

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    9
    Dec 13, 2006
    Downeast
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    R2,

    The domicile and experience requirements that companies put in their written materials aren't always cast in stone. I recall another 7/7 driver while I was at Roehl living in the Waterville area, which was outside of the hiring area posted at the time. I also remember CMT advertising that a year of experience was a pre-requisite for employment. A colleague from Roehl was hired by CMT with only 6 weeks experience. Don't let what you read or hear stop you from knocking on a door or making a phone call. You will find that most companies have a minimum experience or strict domicile requirement, but you'll also find some not so steadfastly committed to them.

    Best wishes
     
  4. R2_

    R2_ Bobtail Member

    28
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    Sep 18, 2007
    Thorndike, Maine
    0




    Hi Milestogo,
    Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. I believe you are right about really digging to find out who hires from where. I have found the best way to find out is to call the company. It has been my experience that most will ask for your zip code. If they like it, then you fill out an application, if they don't, you call another. I didn't always know this. So I'm on the right track. Also I am talking to some local companies. I'll let you know how I make out.
    Hopefully my leg work will help others from Maine get started.
     
  5. R2_

    R2_ Bobtail Member

    28
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    Sep 18, 2007
    Thorndike, Maine
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    Maine1,
    Did you get your CDL and get on with PAF?
     
  6. R2_

    R2_ Bobtail Member

    28
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    Sep 18, 2007
    Thorndike, Maine
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    Killie11,
    Did you start school yet?
     
  7. killie11

    killie11 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 25, 2008
    oakland
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    yes i am 5 weeks in. Though i hit a snag along the way got it finally taken care of. hows the job hunt going?
     
  8. rhopkins

    rhopkins Bobtail Member

    8
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    Aug 9, 2008
    Lewiston, Maine
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    Hey everyone, it has been a while, but I just finished my training and got my license Monday.

    R2 - If you are looking for an OTR company that runs alot to Maine, check out Western Express, don't let their name fool you. They came and visited at NTI while I was there, the recruiter said they are mainly east of the Mississippi River. May want to look into Conway too, but only if you have interest in running doubles alot, I always see them running doubles on the highway.

    Good luck to all, I am still in the job hunt too!
     
  9. R2_

    R2_ Bobtail Member

    28
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    Sep 18, 2007
    Thorndike, Maine
    0
    I had given Western Express a call, a few weeks ago, they said that they just stopped hiring students out of Maine two weeks earlier, they said once things pick up again they will be looking for students from here again.
    On a recent trip down to Connecticut, I saw all kinds of Western Express trucks coming and going to and from Maine, but once I passed Portland coming back, there were hardly any, which led me to believe they are probably hauling water out of Hollis and/or Poland. My trouble is I'm closer to Bangor.
     
  10. rhopkins

    rhopkins Bobtail Member

    8
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    Aug 9, 2008
    Lewiston, Maine
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    Them not hiring out of Maine is a load of crap. Western took 1 guy from my class and 2 from the previous class (re-testing) just last week. They left last weekend on Saturday. I know that Poland Springs is a HUGE contract for Western, but I remember them saying they do runs further north as well.


    Have you tried looking at Conway R2?
     
  11. R2_

    R2_ Bobtail Member

    28
    0
    Sep 18, 2007
    Thorndike, Maine
    0
    Cool, I'll give western another call, I sent conway a application, never heard back, I'll follow up on that as well.
    Did you go to NTI in Scarborough or Bangor?
     
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