First day at school! CDI/TDI Saucier MS

Hello everybody, I have been lurking here for a while and i started school today at CDI/TDI in Saucier Ms. I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I am a Married w/children, 8 yr Navy Vet and did some security work after i got out in 06'. Since being laid off earlier this year i have decided to get my cdl. After doing a little research (mainly talking to my friends in the industry and reading this site i am excited about starting my new career. I am hoping to get into a flatbed division in the southeast region. Does anyone have any suggestions on that line of work in the south. I have a prehire with Werner but obviously do not want to go that route unless needed. I have just applied to Covenant, Swift, USA Trucking, Prime, KLLM, and Crete-Schaffer-Hunt Trans. I am hoping to find a company that does tuition reimbursment and has the VA program that pays a little more on the month. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks from a new student just trying to provide for my family.

 

Well folks, I am through week one of training. I have done well for myself in the classroom portion. 98.4 %. Now if i can just get the driving portion down in the next two weeks. I have pre-hires from Werner, Covenant, Stevens, and KLLM. I have talked to all of them. If i had to choose as of right now, i think i would go with KLLM. I like most what i am hearing and they are based in Jackson MS which is about 160 miles from home. They have several customers along the coast where i live so they said hometime should be above average. The pay and tuition program is pretty good. Werner seemed to dance around the many questions i had and i didnt feel comfortable talking to their recruiter. Stevens told me upfront that i should not expect very much family time at all, i was glad that she was honest about it. I like the idea of reefers near my home area. Everyone needs to eat and that usually means less of a slowdown compared to the normal freight lines. Anyway, I'll let you all know how it goes through my next two weeks in school.

Wonit68
Student
CDI/TDI Saucier MS

 

I am halfway through week two and i am doing well. This morning i drove for about 1 and a half hrs on the local roads. I had a little trouble downshifting near stoplights. this afternoon we were on the range and did mostly off sets, right to left and left to right. I got the hang of it fairly quickly. One of my classmates was still having trouble stright backing so she asked to ride with me. I gave her the best advice i could and she did well after that. While i think out instructor is great, i think she does not understand his way of explaining the manuvers. Hopefully she will get over her nerves and catch on more quickly. Well KLLM is still looking good, a driver stopped by the school today and thanked his former instructors and i was able to ask a few ?"s about kllm. That was very informative. I keep you all informed as i continue with school.

Wonit68
Student
CDI/TDI Saucier MS

 

Not much going on today, just more training. I am pretty confident in my off setting and my road driving. Still trying to break my habit of not downshifting as much as i should before stoplights. We started alley-docking this afternoon and i am sure we will get it down tomorrow. Any way, safe travels to you and i'll check back in soon.

Wonit68
Student
CDI/TDI Saucier MS

 

"Off-sets" at our school is when you are straight in front of a full dock or parking space and are backing into the empty one next to it. Basically it is used in case you are unable to line up in front of where you need to back. Much like a parallel park, just on a longer scale. Hope this helps.