Best company to sponsor CDL school and train?

CDL Training Program | Paid Truck Driver Training | Prime
Take the pet.

 

Swift Refrigerated – Sign On for the Trucking Career of a Lifetime with Swift Refrigerated
Take the pet.

 

CDL Training | Stevens Transport
Several driving schools throughout the nation.
Take the pet.

 

Yeah, I've heard about PAM.

 

@Chinatown already offered good suggestions, but I wanted to add Freymiller. I don't know what they're training process is like since their website is quite sparse, but I do know they are very pet friendly and based out of Oklahoma City, so not that far from Arkansas. Plus they have Petes and KWs with Cummins in them, which is a nice perk.

I would also tell them to look at JRayl, which trains new drivers on manual transmission (or at least they did), which is rare for company-sponsored training. Not sure about their pet policy though, the website doesn't say. RE West out of Tennessee is also a possible option. They are unique in that they claim to not require their CDL trainees to sign a contract agreeing to drive with them for any amount of time; they would only have to pay back any sign-on bonuses. RE West doesn't allow pets until 6 months though. I do like that they post their "No Bull" Sheet online, so your friend would hopefully know exactly what they're getting into.

EDIT: There's also Roehl, I tend to forget about them. Huge company, very strict safety department, but they have flatbed and reefer accounts as well as dry van and they do allow pets. They have a FAQ here you can refer your friend to (scroll down for the "Get Your CDL" FAQ).

 

Don't expect to have a pet on board, while out on a trainer's truck.

-- L

 

Just curious, anyone know anything about Swift's Driving Academy? It's not my first choice as I would rather go to an independent school and I have a few in mind. Having said that, they are close by and everything is provided. If I were hired on by them, they would start me between .52 and .54 cpm which seems very attractive.

 

Ask your local Swift facility if they have/offer a so-called Swift "Top Gun" finishing school -- for Swift Academy grads.

This finishing school will supposedly hone/refine your backing & other skills:

"Top Gun: Our Exclusive CDL Training Program
Top Gun is an exclusive CDL training program that elevates your driving skills after graduating from the Swift Academy. Years in the making, Top Gun is a proficiency-based training using elite technology with experienced facilitators. Drivers who participate will receive high-focus, hands-on experience and mentorship from the finest instructors in the industry on all backing and close quarter maneuvers – all while getting paid to do so."

It's likely that's better training then you would get with many other fleets....while out on a trainer's truck.

-- L

 

Great Information. It looks like the program lasts an extra week and they offer it if you have done well in CDL training. You can never have enough backing skill. It's what separates the elite from the average drivers.