CDL Permit Sucesss...Texas Jobs

We have s terminal in Sunnyvale, just east of Dallas. I should mention that I had gotten my Class A already, from a community college. It’s not clear from your post if you’re looking for training to get a CDL or if you have it already.

 

I highly recommend KLLM/FFE in Lancaster, TX (outside of Dallas)

From my research (and the time I spent there) to date, they're the only company that pays for everything (bus ticket, CLP, CDL, etc), has on site housing, on site meals, tuition under $4,000, no payroll deductions, and allows you to walk away without owing them a dime if you stay on for a year (from the day you sign your contract, not the day you get your first truck.)

I had home issues and had to leave, but will be headed back in August, My recruiter told me that they've been closed for a couple months due to COVID and that, even though they're a 3rd party testing company, they have to use the DPS to get people their CLP's and the DPS has been ridiculous in the large metro areas of Texas with appointments weeks, even months out in advance. I live in Houston and was able to get mine (again) a couple weeks ago because someone canceled their appointment. My recruiter seemed to be pretty shocked about that.

KLLM/FFE is also a good option because they train on manual trucks. I've talked with Raider Express, Stevens Transport, Swift, and Knight, and none of them train on manuals. The recruiter with Steven even went so far as to say that training on a manual is useless because, quote "85% of the industry are now using automatics, in the next couple years, it'll be 100%."

Personally, I'd rather drive an automatic, BUT I don't want to be tied to mega carriers for the rest of my life either.

I contacted a couple companies with schools in Missouri (Prime and Wilson Logistics) but both said that they weren't currently accepting students from Texas due to the COVID outbreak, lol.

 

I have to wait until December to get the rest of my endorsements.

My opinion is FFE is better than KLLM. Ive been with FFE will be 3 years in February.

If you arent afraid of multiple stops in a day and having another guy in the truck with you then plasma will probably pay you the most.

When we stop we load the product into the reefer, stack and wrap them on pallets.

Covid hasnt really affected us much. We dont ship the volume we used to, but the pickups still have to be made.

Gross $1500 a week average.

Its not an easy trucking job. You'll earn that check.

During the week though youll get to sleep in a truck that isnt moving, mostly because youll be parked waiting to do a pickup the next morning.

On the weekend they like their blood teams to help with food. You unload plasma, wash trailer then route to terminal, grab load then drive to another terminal to drop off (overnight driving required here). then you get ready for your next week plasma run.

3 weeks on, 1 week off. You get a 825.00 check the week you have off. In trade for that you are on call and they dont give you vacation. Ive only been called in like twice. It rarely happens.

150 for layover
0.40 per mile for all dispatched miles to start.
30.00 per pick up. Average load time is about 40 minutes or so. Some as short as 15 minutes depending.
Average about 3 pickups per day. (Example, I only had 1 today with 5 hours of driving. But I have 5 pickup tomorrow).
50.00 unload. They unload it, you just move stuff out of the way.

Its a mix of driving a lot on the interstate and also driving in urban areas. Catch 22 right there. The driving presents some challenging situations in dense city locations. But me personally I am very glad I did it. I can whip that truck around and back that thing all over the place without worrying about it because of all the different scenarios I have been faced with.

But thats not a brag, I just know all the stops. Lol. The hardest part is doing a run for the first time. Once you done it and you get it again, so much easier.

 

I’ve heard the Plasma division makes really good money. I’m contracted for Linehaul but they say after 3 months OTR, other positions would become available.

I’d agree with the assessment that FFE is probably better than KLLM, one things certain, you know food and plasma will always be moving.