I'm a newbie to the board with a few questions... :)

Hello everyone...

At the risk of sounding redundant I apologize in advance for any questions that have already been asked a million times by new members of the board. I have read through lots of threads, but the board is so massive there is no way I could read everything.

That being said... My husband really wants to get into truck driving. He is a residential construction plumber by trade but as you all know, the state of our country's economy has been terrible and he's been without work since last December. He is an excellent driver, never a ticket or accident, he doesn't drink, smoke or use drugs and he works harder than the average guy. I have been supporting us and now my business is not doing well so after long discussions we decided that trucking seems to be the way to go for him.

You might ask why I'm in here asking all the questions instead of him...Well I'm the inquizitive one in the relationship where my husband is a tad on the gullible side. He is sweet but easily influenced in the wrong direction. I have been doing a lot of research on these trucking companies and am completely turned off by Werner and Swift especially.

We live in Arizona and really there are only 2 options out here for schools...Southwest and AIT. The thing that really turns us off about these places is when you call up and ask for information they refuse to give any info over the phone. They want you to come in person and meet with them so they can shove a contract down your throat and they only hire out to Swift and Werner. I have heard all kinds of crap about both those places that make me apprehensive about him going to either of them. Granted, I realize there are unhappy people wherever you go and we are trying to take that into consideration as well.

After searching through your forum it seems that Central Refrigerated is a good company to go with...However I could have missed some threads regarding how awful they are I just don't know.

My question is... To those who have worked for CRSI, does it matter if my husband gets his permit in AZ or does he have to get his permit and reg CDL license in Utah? Also...I know CRSI hires out of AZ but since they don't have an actual location here in AZ; will that affect the amount of home time my husband has?

Last question and most obvious...

What do you guys recommend for a company to start with? Who trains and is actually halfway decent? I realize every newbie is going to have it a little rough, he won't be making a killing the first couple of years on the road...But as I mentioned above...My husband is a bit on the gullible side and I don't want him going somewhere that is just going to completely screw him over either.

Any input would be much appreciated! Thank you in advance!!!

 

Thanks for the prompt reply.

We did call swift today and they said that my husband would have to go through AIT in Phoenix. I have heard that swift has the lowest rate of pay. A friend of ours in FL just got hired by them and is only starting out after training at .21 cents per mile. On CRSI's site they say they start you out at .28 cents per mile and after 6 months it goes up.

I wasn't aware they were owned by swift. Why do they have such a bad wrap? lol.

Thanks again.

 

CRST or CRSI? Are they the same?

 

Thank you again! I'm looking right now.