Newbie getting ready to start trucking school in TN

hello bryan21384,

I would have to say from my personal knowledge of the state of "TN" and the drivers from that state, I have talked to in my state to state jumps. Would put it in the top ten states of trucking hires, it's definetly a good hub. As far as "TMC" A.K.A: The Marine Corp., From what I obtained verbally from many of there drivers, it's a pretty good company. I had alot of run ins with TMC drivers. And if my memory serves me correctly, I only had 1 maybe 2 drivers that had anything bad to say. Another company(s) that you may want to check into: Melton Truck Lines a Class act in my opinion. Try to stay away from Arrow, in my opinion alot of fuel and no spark. I've dealt with them. Also food for thought, try to pick a company that meets most of your needs. You won't get them all, trust me. I hope this was helpful, happy hunting good luck...

 

What school will you be attending? What part of the state is your home base?

 

You have a major intersection of interstates very close to you.
MANY trucking companys would be very happy to get someone from that location. So I would not think location will slow any companys down. You have the East/West freight and the North/South coming thru there. 32 miles from the center of Nashville is a good thing.
I wish I lived in a location that good.

 

Hi Bryan,

Have you looked into TN Tech Nashville? $1300-$1400 for everything, (state school) and if you have never used the lottery grant, that will cover half of the above amount (everyone in TN qualifies one time), 8 week PTDI school ( everyone hires from this school) They have there own DOT Testers on premsis........in fact the school your looking at brings their students over to this school to test. Excellent Instructors!! Lots of seat time, nice newer equipment.......its a no brainer.
As far as training companies in TN, many here in Nashville have quit training due to the economy, companies such as Averett Express, US express, Star Transporation, etc....... There area few good student companies hiring their students -TMC, Roehl. Mcelroy,& they also work with some small carriers that only take students from them (should tell you the quality of eduaction you will get at Ten Technology Center Nashville.........just my 2 cents worth.

Nashville is an excellent location for many companies.......one piece of advise, find a company before you commit to any school....... then make sure that company will take students from that school. In this tough market a PTDI school will get you in many better companies, insuance companies see a huge value in a PTDI and 240 plus hours of education. Providing you dont have any speeding tickets or background issues.......in that event its no big deal where you go, because only the bottom feeders will accept you anyway....sounds harsh I know, but truthful

 

I would check back at TTCN......Rug Trucker on this forum is starting there in a few weeks, and they did not have their 10 students........sometimes it take 4 + months to get in there,and many like you look another direction., I would double check, even though its not costing anything, that additional seat time will pay divdends down the road. Check this post I made to another new driver:

Denise,

I have had many careers in my short life (and many short lived) I love driving a truck, but this life style is very hard on your body and mind. I have so much respect for these professional drivers that have been in this industy for so many years. I now work as a fill in driver for an O/O with a few trucks. My schedule is very predictable, and I only work part time. Until you have been driving in bad traffic all day, go to bed exausted without a shower (thinking you will grab one in the morning) and then get a dispatch in the middle of the night, that as soon as you rub your eyes in the morning, requires you to get on that road ASAP and then that next night (still no shower) sitting in a mud parking lot, next to your drop (not near any truck stops) and then driving another 11 hrs for the delivery.....on and on and on....that is trucking in a nut shell. When you finally get that hot shower 2 days later, and climb in the bunk......your out like the light. The next day you get up, and start all over. Its just very hard work, not only physically, but mentally balancing your HOS, and managing your time......not to mention runnning a business if your an O/O.