wannabe looking for information

I personally went the independent route. While it might or might not increase the chance of getting hired, with the indepent after graduation and working for a company you would not be stuck there paying them back if it did not work. You can look elsewhere for employment. Also there are options of different companies with independent schools. I wish you the best of luck on the new career path, and remember to look at all the options and what works for one might not work for another.

 

Dweedle makes a good point. I went the Millis training route since money at that time was at a premium so it worked for me. However, if you go to a school you have more options available.

Spend the time researching the companies out there. I spent almost a year researching companies and decided on Millis and have been (overall) very happy. No company is perfect but there are many to steer clear of. You have to judge that for yourself. Spend sometime on the threads listed as "good companies" and "bad companies" - understand that a lot of those posts are from past employees so take them with a gain of salt.

Let us know if we can help you in anyway.

 

I also would like to know this info.

 

Basically, after graduating the course, you would hire on with a company that accepts recent cdl graduates and go throught their training program. Upon successful completion of the training program they assign you a truck and you go to work. That's when you begin accumulating the OTR experience. That's my unintelligent assessment of the situation.

 

Old MP is correct - most companies will require you to go out with a trainer for anywhere from 6 t0 12 weeks. Some are even longer. During this time you are usually paid a "training wage" which can be a lump sum each week or even mileage pay that is a "reduced rate".

CDL schools are good if you really want to choose a certain company that doesnt offer training. Millis does train, you get 3 weeks in class-room with limited driving time. Once you complete/graduate that level, you are hired as an employee. You are then assigned a trainer that will guide and train you OTR for 5 to 8 weeks (depending on your skill/learning abilities). Once he/she is comfortable with your skill level, the trainer will take you to your state of residence for your CDL test. Provided you pass, you will stay with that trainer maybe one or two more weeks and then are tested again with a Millis instructor. Once you pass that - you are assigned your own truck.

During the OTR training you are paid via a increasing scale based on time out. Check out the Millis web site for exact amounts.....I think it's 500.00 for weeks 1-2 then 550.00 and goes on too 600.00 a week. Probably one of the best training pay rates I have seen.

The choice is yours - do your homework related to expectations, hometime needed, equipment, benefits and such.

Look for things like:
1. Mileage rate once you are solo - are there bonuses based on miles ran?
2. Make sure you are assigned your own truck and not slip seating.
3. Age and type of truck - does it have decent acces, manual vs. auto shift, maintenance updates etc.
4. Can you take the truck home during home time or do you need to look for a t/s or have to live close to one of their yards?
5. Can you have an inverter/APU - ie. to cook/microwave, tv - things that make it easier out here. Some companies dont allow an inverter at all unless it plugs into a cig lighter.
6. Idle policies - can be very frustating when you cant idle when you need too.

Youll find that Millis trucks are well equipped. By the middle of this year all our OTR trucks will have a real refridg/freezer (small but real none the less). You can have an inverter (company has to install it) but can really save money in the long run.

A lot of companies will offer a higher mileage rate than Millis, but you dont get the miles there usually. We get bonuses based on miles ran. Levels are at 2,000, 2500 and 3,000 miles a week. Meaning you can earn more money per mile as you reach these thresholds. Not to mention quarterly/yearly safety bonuses.

I am not "hypeing" Millis as your only option - read, read and the read some more before you make your choice.

If you have any more questions, let me know.

 

good thing to go out with a good trainer,gain some good exspirance out there in the real world,