Want to drive..who for though?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by cerberus63, May 24, 2015.

  1. Ordy19

    Ordy19 Medium Load Member

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    Miller-Motte in Jacksonville has a great 160 hour CDL course that you can do days, nights, or the weekends if you don't mind a 50 minute drive and have 4k up front to pay for it. I attend the weekend course and I am halfway done. They pay for your DoT physical and reimburse you for your permit and license fee when the course is complete.
     
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  3. rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    Check out Roel or Prime?
     
  4. redoctober83

    redoctober83 Road Train Member

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    I am currently driving with Prime and love it. I started my driving career with one of those awful mills and was glad the day my contract ended and could come to Prime. You'll see people on here complaining how slow we go and assume it's the company that has us governed down but it's actually the extra money we get with the weekly fuel bonus. You can easily add an extra ¢3/mile to your paycheck without much effort and as much ¢6/mile if you work at it. Just at that ¢3/mile you're adding on average an additional $3,600 a year to your paycheck. Plus Prime pays very well starting out and through the training phase. Read through the Prime threads on here and you'll see why they are very good company.

    Research is key no matter what, you need to research research research. I spent 6 months researching Prime before I moved to them.
     
    cerberus63 Thanks this.
  5. cerberus63

    cerberus63 Light Load Member

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    Ordy19,

    I spoke with a lady at MMC in Jville on Monday, the upfront cost would kill me! I also spoke with a gemtleman at Sampson Comm. College and it was about the same (tuition cost). Whats amazing is there are no grants or federal monies to assist with these types of schools. Not looking a hand out.... would repay on the job (know what I mean)! Anyway, good luck and hope to see you out there.

    rachi,

    I spoke with a guy at Prime on Monday or Tuesday and haven't heard anything back from him. I just got off the phone with a lady from Millis and I just submitted an application for them at midnight last night! They were FAST to respond. Pretty interested in them, have seen more positive than negative posts about Millis???
     
  6. cerberus63

    cerberus63 Light Load Member

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    Thanks redoctober 83,

    Like I said above I spoke with a guy on Monday or Tuesday about Prime and I'm still interested in them just waiting. Thanks for the input (wanna PM me the former companies name:) /)
     
  7. walstib

    walstib Darkstar

    If you have CDL and don't want to be stuck in truck with a stinky arrogant trainer, I'd recommend Watkins Shepard, no BS trainer time. Second recommendation, if you get with them, ask for LTL to get your skills honed in the shortest time compared to OTRers.
     
  8. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    I always tell drivers to sit and listen when another driver complains about money. Within 5 minutes, he will tell you why he doesnt make money. Of course, it's ALWAYS someone else's fault. On this forum, you will find people giving advice thats so bad that you realize that they arent drivers. I'm from the South like you, but I went to work for a company that roams everywhere. Got the passports and TWIC, full endorsements (you HAVE TO make yourself marketable), and I ran mostly into Canada my first year back on the road after 7 years off. Made $79.9k first year. Yes, it's cold as heck in the winter in western Canada, but the drivers up there still have that ruggedness that I remember drivers in the States having when I first started.
    You see people coming on here, wanting to be home every night, wanting good money, wanting respect, not wanting to drive or work, yet expect to be paid. Unrealistic. I'm here for the m0ney. Dont care if you like me. Screw the respect and 'family' treatment. Got enough money, I will take a load straight to Hell. The last few weeks, Ive been running through all of the rain and flooding in Texas. I went through all the snow and ice in the South the past few winters. Ive been in Canada for weeks on end. Do you know what a driver appreciates most when in Northern Alberta, temps hitting -40, snow dry and feels like sand, winds howling for days on end? To sit in a restaurant and eat hot food and to be able to take a hot shower in a truckstop. Had one of my guys run a heavyhaul load this past winter from Montreal,QC to Yellowknife NWT, across the iceroads to some place that doesnt have a name. Had someone ask this driver while he was in Yellowknife about idle time on his engine. Yeah, someone else who's never driven.

    Anyways, YOU:
    1. GET ALL THE ENDORSEMENTS YOU CAN, TWIC and passport.
    2. Get your mind set: "I'm here to truck. I'm here for the money. Screw your respect and your family, show me the money!"
    3. Narrow your search for companies. Companies that are primarily teams=OUT. Companies with driver facing cameras=OUT. Dont let the sissies convince you that you have to wear pink panties and do parlor tricks in order to truck, thats not true...they just prefer to wear pink panties and do tricks with their mouths. Companies with Idling policies=OUT. You have a job to do. A real trucking company will understand that and are not going to try to hold your hand. Companies where the average driver doesnt make a grand a week=OUT.

    How will I know if the average driver makes a grand a week, Six?

    Call the company and ask what the average driver makes. There are 52 weeks in a year. Simple mathematics. While you're at it, call and ask what the top driver makes (after all, we are not striving to be average, are we?). Then ask if he trains or runs some dedicated account (red flag if yes to either one).
    4. Be positive. While everyone around you is whining and complaining seeking a shoulder to cry on, separate yourself. Stay away from the negative talk. You will see it first in school, then in orientation, then in the trucker's lounge. These are the lifelong losers. They cant do anything else. You've already have retired. Winner!

    THEM :
    1. Money: mileage, percentage, detention, layover, motels during breakdowns, toll fees. If during orientation, you start hearing something about becoming a trainer or lease operator after you put some time in, or a bunch of fees or whatever, where they are going to nickel and dime you for whatever reason, prepare to walk.
    2. They should have their own loads, their own customers. Some companies put the US, Canadian and Mexican flags on their trailers. That's what I like. That says MILES. It says huge customer base. Thing is, if that trucking company is primarily teams, then the solo drivers get stiffed. That aint cool.
     
  9. redoctober83

    redoctober83 Road Train Member

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    The recruiters at Prime are very busy and it can take a few days to get back to you. What you need to do is go online and fill out the application and then start calling them until someone answers you and you get schedule to come for class. I don't b need to pm you, it was CRST. Stay far far away from them!

    You have a lot of good points. If the op follows what you said he should find a good company to start with.
     
  10. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    As stated, avoid getting your license through a school affiliiated with a company if you can. You will be made into the modern equivalent of an indentured servant.

    Threads abound on that sort of thing here. One of the more notorious examples is CRST.
     
  11. rckbottom

    rckbottom Light Load Member

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    well he doesnt even have CDL yet, I really dought he will get a local
    gig with no expr.. just saying
     
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