Hello all, I've been reading post for the last couple of months now and have found some good information however I need a bit more. As I have a tendency to ramble, I'll get to the point and highlight the important parts of my questions.
First some basic facts about me without going into alot of detail;
I'm a Class B CDL.
I have 12 years exp as a bus driver, driving 1000 - 2000 mile per week in all sorts of conditions from Black Ice to Snow to extreme heat (no AC on busses).
I have zero accidents or tickets so squeeky clean Driving Record.
I am prior military and have kept a clean background.
So now to the question;
I'm looking for a good Company training program as I do not have the funds to pay for a driving program on my own. I have researched quite a few companies and have talked to as many old hands as possible for their opinions on some of these companies as well. So far my list of companies that I've looked at and asked about are these;
Swift
JB Hunt
Covenant
Prime
CR England
Schneider
Con-Way
Some have company training and some do not. Of the old hands that I've spoken to none recommend any of them and always suggest a college CDL program, since that is not an option for me I'm looking for some good feed back here and maybe some suggestions. Any other companies I should look at? Any of these good?
Also trying to keep this from being a company flaming thread so I do know that some of the companies I've listed are a definite "NO GO". To put it as one old hand told me "Put your *male parts* in a door and slam it before you think of that company" So please any and all information is appreciated but positive feedback would be MOST appreciated. Thanks all.
Bus Driver going Trucking
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Honest_Driver_3000, Mar 14, 2011.
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Hay There! My husband Drove for JB for 17 years and was a 2 million miler with them. But he started with Schneider and there school. He stayed with them for 2 years then went to JB. He then just recently went to PRIME to L/O. Not good! And there school is not that great either. I'll leave it at that. I am now heading to school myself. I chose SWIFT. Because there training school seems to be of my benefit. I too have held my class B for several years. I drove a school bus and coaches for 10 years. I start SWIFTS school on wednesday the 16th in San Antonio.
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Schneider is where my husband went to school back in the day. They have a good school. Keep in mind though if you go through a company sponsored training school they own you for at least a year. Its been a while for information on JB but I do not think they have a school of there own. But they do hire new graduates from community colleges and other driving schools. Best way to find out is contact one of their recruiters. Both JB and Schneider are good companies to work for. As far as PRIME goes my husband no longer is a Lease Operator with them due to illness. And for there school i have first hand experience with them. I can not go into detail on here. There are a few people that if your blood does not run PRIME purple they are on the attack. So If you would like my opinion on them please feel free to PM me. I chose to go with SWIFT because they have been around about as long as JB and Schneider. They have a real good school for what I need to learn,also it was so much closer to home then Wisconsin where my husband had to go. I wanted to stay close to home. Texas.
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@olhand, thanks I'll look into Schneider a bit more. Didn't initially see a paid training program on their site but I'm at the calling up recruiters stage in my research. Although most are more like "Call me back when your actually ready to do it" as I am always honest up front and tell them I plan on finishing up the school year.
@Lunaglow, I'll have to send you a PM sometime when I have more than a few min to see what your talking about with the Prime thing. From thier website they pay the most during training. Guaranteed $600 per week or 12cents per mile whichever is more after you get your licence. I have no intention of being a L/O or O/O for quite a while until I get a better idea of the way things work in the trucking industry. I've working in a warehouse doing that side of the paperwork and forklift driving so have a basic concept of it but no where near comfortable enough to run my own truck. I run a bus route all day long (pre-school plus K-12) then work 3rd shift at a convienant store so don't have alot of time. Will send a PM soon though. Thanks for your input
@Rerun8963, LOL ok I'll chill with the Slamming door quip, was just quoting the old hand that gave me that advice. Of course he didn't use the term "male parts" he used the more crude reference to that area of the male anatomy. Only need the combination test? Well shoot I've already taken that one. When I got my first CDL permit in TX they made me take the full on Class A permit test. What determined my licence was what I took the driving test in, in this case a 89 Gillig Phantom passenger bus.
Now for another question. I believe that I can go in and take the Haz Mat test and pass with no problem as I was a certified Haz Mat /DG instructor for the American Airlines transportation department so I should have all that information in my head. My question is this; Should I do it? I mean I can have that added to my Class B CDL so should I go ahead and get it so it will cross over to my Class A? -
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HAZMAT! Love it! Have studied fro a long time. Passed my HAZMAT final at school today totally aced it. After I get my class A I am definitely getting my endorsement! Good luck with your reaserch!
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