Newbie Journal with SAGE School

BIODIESEL, Kickin Chicken correctly covered your questions and has insider info on the SAGE program at Isothermal Tech that I don't have. I will say with any truck driver training program that you should ask to see their equipment, verify the amount of one-on-one training you will receive and how much on-the-road training you will actually receive. You can't change any of these variables, but it's nice to know when going into a program and it puts the Program Director on notice that these things are important to you.

As for my current job outlook, I have my choices narrowed down to Hardy Brothers in Siloam, NC and Roehl. Hardy Bros. runs teams to the West Coast to bring back produce. They're out 5-6 days at a time, which is attractive to me being a newbie and getting my family comfortable with my being away from home for extended periods of time. I'm actually driving out to their terminal today to talk more with the recruiter and get some more questions asked as well as look over their equipment.

Roehl has a great safety rating according to SaferSys.org, but another forum member pointed out that there's been an increase in mechanical complaints with Roehl equipment posted here. I've been following one such thread where that definitely is the case.

I am finding out that regardless of who I sign on with, I need to hurry up and do it. Roehl doesn't recognize my SAGE training after 60 days from graduation. Other companies like TransAm make it 30 days. If you'll subscribe to this thread, I'll make sure to announce where I went and probably start a new thread of my experience there.

Good luck to you and start a thread about your experience!

 

Thanks WSYROB. I spoke with Bobby Lambert this afternoon at Hardy Bros. terminal in Siloam. I got to see the equipment firsthand inside and out and meet some of the mechanics. I'll have to say that I was very impressed. All of their trucks are Peterbilt with the Roadmaster 10-speed. They had a couple of automatics and 13-speeds but they're already assigned. Fine with me since SAGE taught us on the 10-speed.

I feel Bobby gave me the straight skinny on what to expect and how things run. I told him I didn't want anything sugar-coated, so he didn't. I was hoping for better health insurance rates, but I think everyone in every industry is shifting a larger percentage of the load onto their employees. I'll probably just keep the catastrophic coverage on me and my daughter that I got on my own until a better option presents itself.

I'm going to share my notes with the wife tonight and give Bobby a call in the morning with my decision. They were willing to let me start in a few weeks so I could celebrate my 28th wedding anniversary at home instead of on the road. No sense starting off on the wrong foot with my better half. I'll post again tomorrow with the news.

BTW, if anyone else in the Winston-Salem area is looking for work Hardy Bros. is hiring. Keep in mind it's team driving coast-to-coast. Just check their website for contact info.

 

Well, I've decided to go with Hardy Brothers. However, the reality of the situation hit my wife during our discussion when I said I was going to orientation on July 15. She wants me to extend my start time until the end of July as she hopes a local job will open up before then. While that would be great, whether it be in my former IT profession or a local driving job, I can't wait too long past my graduation date from SAGE to get started.

This morning, I called Bobby at Hardy Brothers and gave him the news. He said to just give him a call the last week in July to see if they still have openings and trainers available. In the meantime, he had my application and would be checking on my references.

 

Oddly enough, I was up late last night checking companies like Pepsi, Coke and Frito-Lay. Unfortunately, none of them had openings. My former position in IT put me over the support of a small convenience store chain, so I have contacts in these types of food service companies, and I'm working down the list.

As far as teams, I asked Bobby how they handle a situation when a driver wants to stay home a few extra days. He said they don't like to break up their teams, so I was left with the strong impression that they don't switch teammates unless there's a compatibility problem. However, after reading your question I'm going to make sure I'm not going to get tossed around unless my teammate can't run or I have to stay out. He did reinforce the fact that if things weren't working out with my trainer to tell them ASAP so they could make a change.

 

After several weeks of pondering, I held an informal family meeting last night and laid out my driving options. My 8-year old was quick to tell me that she wants me to drive a pumpkin. My wife seconded her vote and I'm at peace with their call. I think what got their vote was Schneider's Home Run Program of 2 weeks out and 1 week home. My daughter liked the idea of her daddy being home for 1 week at a time instead of just 1-2 days per week. Although daddy would like his own truck, I'm willing to go with slip seating to keep my girls happy.

I emailed the recruiter with some additional questions last night and he phoned me back just after 8 a.m. with the answers. He said Schneider will accept recent graduates provided they get into Schneider's orientation within 60 days of driving school graduation. That deadline for me is August 12th, but the recruiter said they're holding orientation classes weekly and said I should be able to make it in time if my app is accepted, which I submitted this morning. Phone interview scheduled for Wednesday.

Hardy Brothers is still at the top of my list. I like the small family operation, their new and well-maintained trucks and being home once a week. If I don't cut it at Schneider, I may go back to HB.