I apologize in advance but thank this community so much for the advice and knowledge gained here.
Yet another school/company debate, but actually more of a comparison. Before I get started, as stated I've done my reading and share of research therefore I'm not naive to what to expect, and in some cases not to expect. I have not romanticized this at all, and know the hard work etc. I have to put in, and I embrace that, I just wanna drive :yes2557
I'm based just south of Denver hence where my terminal would like to be. I'm willing to travel some distance to get to the training facility, up to say 14 hours worth of driving. I'm going to be paying for most if not all of the training so 'contracts' aren't an issue to me. I just think it would be easier to get some viable driving time if I was at a 'train here work here' company. What's #1 in my book, is a good school. One that teaches me all the fundamentals rather than 'what this company wants you to do' (this may be unrealistic I know). It's just key that I get good training as I'm driving around with 100,000+ lbs and responsible for people lives if anything was to go wrong. It would be good to drive with another company driver for a while too.
I'm not too concerned about the home time as I know my first year, I'm the small fish in the pond, but mileage would be nice. Understand if it's slow right now.
Basically, It's come down to Watkins Shepard, Prime and Swift (in order). Can anyone sort of give me a push in the right direction. If there's any other good company out there I've missed let me know. I'm just looking for good training and a job with some miles at the end. I know I may be asking too much right now, but this is a decision I've been brewing for the last 5 years, and I'm ready. Hopefully the industry is ready for me, because I'll work hard and love what I do.
Thanks in advance
Prime, W/S, Swift
Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by Lynchmob, Aug 19, 2009.
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ill give my .02 here, but ill be attacked my nawlins once he finds this thread and calls me a w.s defender, and he will tell u to take everything i say with a grain of salt. take it as u see it.
that being said.
i drive for w.s and i agree with notarps, however, w.s is no driver trainer, meaning, you would go to Missoula Mt for 10days of training, class and hands on driving, down shiffiting while going down a 6% grade, once you get throught the 10 days, and assuming u pass, ull be handed a set of keys to a truck, and most likly pick up a loaded, 75k-80k, load of paper for your very first run as a single/solo driver,
if any of the trainers have to rethink about hiring you, your out the door on ur way home, jobless. they take training very serious, and they teach you very well at the school. they wont hire anyone if they dont think ull do a good job while in training.
iv been with the company for a year and a half now, and unless they close down or i end up with a family
, im here to stay.
let me stress this, and ill save all the typing for nawlins,
w.s is a great place to start for a newb outta school. however, as for making a life long career out of working here? prob not if you have a family to provide for. great for a year or two, then time to move on, unless things change.
being that u live in denver you could actually get home rather often, as we have a term there, and we do a lot of bizz at bud up in fort collins. wouldnt be a prob to deadhead u or even bobtail to denver for home time.
good luck. and remember, take what i say " with a grain of salt "
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My husband and I went through the Swift school in Phoenix which is where you would go if you're out of Denver. We think highly of the school and are happy with Swift.
Now notarps is going to say a bunch of stuff aband then I'll have to beat him with a stick but that's okay he likes being beat with the stick.
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