Best starter company: FFE or Central

Well dont really know much about FFE but i been researching Central and seem like that is the choice i would go with. But thats myself and everyone has their own opinions on the matter. Im waiting for winter to go to get winter driving training But really excited about wanting to go to Central. I tried looking at FFE website to find pay and all but could not. Maybe went to wrong places. I know Student pay (Being with trainer) With Central is $450 a week broken down to like $67 bucks a day i believe. And what i see with FFE its only 5 bucks more. Central has a 5 week trainer program but can be shortened depending on how fast you learn and how much hours/driving you do. Think its 2500 miles and 84 backs you have to perform before you can upgrade to solo. Not sure what requirements are for FFE. But from here i noticed some people with Central have upgraded within 3 weeks time and upgraded and gone solo.

Starting pay with Central is like .28 cents a mile couldnt find anything with FFE. Which makes me wonder what their pay is really. Driving for Central youll have to do 48 states for i believe 3 - 6 months, not sure, then if your doing real well you can be given the option to get regional or dedicated runs.

Personally I feel FFE's website isnt really helpful on being informative on everything. Or im just not surfing it all that well. Central i know offers REferral pay of $400 if you send someone to them to go through their schooling pass and become a driver. Not sure how FFE does. Looking at Centrals Website and Facebook account, all the research helps, I noticed they offer ways of winning stuff for your truck and your home.

Just do the research and everything. And if possible try to get everything in writing before hand that way you can hold them to their word instead of them saying yeah youll make .30 cents a mile out of training. When in fact youll maybe make .25 if your lucky before taxes. Find out how many miles they would make you run, pay scale and stuff like that. There are threads here that shows what you need to ask up front before joining. Personally i wouldnt go with Werner or Swift but thats because of some bad stuff i heard about them. but also im sure i could hear bad stuff about any company if asked the right/wrong people.

 

FFE told me on the phone the following:

School is 14 days in Ft. Worth. After that, up to 6 weeks with a trainer at $455/week. After that, solo mileage is $0.29/mi.

Hope it helps.

 

Dave and Beau, The class is 18 days for newbies. is it 14 days for prior experience?​

FFE Driver Academy


Effective 1/31/11​

Enclosed, you will find the school packet - the following information will show the necessary steps to be taken in order to get approved for truck driving school.

1) Requirements:
a) 23 years of age or older
b) Non-Texas residents must bring non laminated, certified copy of Birth Certificate (with raised seal), original, non-laminated social security card, and Driver's License (name must match on both documents
c) Must have a valid 3 year driving record
· No more than a 3 month suspension
· No more than 1 preventable accident or 2 moving violations / or a combination of 1 preventable accident and 1 moving violation
· No reckless or careless driving charge
d) No convictions regarding sexual acts or drugs (with intent to sell or distribute.)
e) No alcohol related convictions within the past 5 years. No more than one charge in lifetime.
f) No positive drug or alcohol test.
g) Able to pass DOT physical examination and drug screen
h) Able to provide verifiable 3 year work history.
· Proof of unemployment
· If self-employed, must provide proof.
· Military service must be documented with a copy of DD214
· If a company is closed, must have W2, check stub, etc.
· Must provide month/year of employment, along with location and phone numbers

2) Out of pocket money:
a) $70.00 for CDL cash or money order only - DPS will not accept debit, credit cards, or out of state checks.
b) Money for food: You will need enough money for food and necessities until your 1st paycheck. The school will have vending machines in the dorm that will have sandwiches, TV dinners, etc. There will also be a shuttle available for you to go to Wal-mart to buy food. Also, there will be a Catering truck that will come out to the yard 3 times a day - you will have to have cash to purchase food off the truck. The student is responsible for 100% of the cost of their food and necessities.

3) Housing:
a) Housing - is On-site
b) Rooms - Most rooms are set up as single rooms, there are a few larger rooms that house up to 3 per room.
c) Kitchen - There is no stove/oven, but there are refrigerators, microwaves, and vending machines.
d) Showers - There are separate men and women shower rooms
e) Laundry - There are 2 washing machines and 2 dryers (Machines are Free, detergent available for purchase)
f) Computer room - There is a room that will have about 6 computers for the students to use for lessons, studying, etc.
g) Wi-Fi - Yes, they can bring their computers and have wireless internet access
h) Common Area - The common area has refrigerator, microwaves, vending machines, washer and dryer, round tables with chairs and big screen TV.


4) Enrollment Agreements:
a) Enrollment Agreement, Tuition Promissory Note: This agreement will be signed by the students that live locally or that stay at the school in the dorms. It is a 12 month agreement. *ZERO PAYROLL DEDUCTION!!!

5) Length of School:
a) 18 days, or 2 weeks and 4 days (Each class will start on Monday)
b) 66 hours-Classroom; 44 hours 15 minutes-Range; 29 hours 45 minutes-Street/Road

6) Orientation:
a) Day 17 on the training schedule, drivers will start "Company Orientation" at the school.
b) Day 18 students will complete orientation at about 3pm and will be shuttled to the Lancaster terminal to be assigned to a trainer's truck.

7) Requirements for Graduation:
a) Attend and complete all scheduled course hours
b) Obtain a TX Class-A CDL permit, no later than Day 4
c) Maintain a minimum score of 80% GPA in both academics and skills
d) Maintain Satisfactory attendance
e) Obtain Class-A CDL license, no later that Day 16
f) Complete all of the above items in 18-days

8) Equipment:
a) 2007 Freightliners Conventional 10 speed Tractors
b) Great Dane Dry Van Sliding Tandem 53' Trailer
c) Wabash Reefer Sliding Tandem 53' Trailer

9) Application Process:
a) Student Applications will be required to be 100% complete and approved for hire with FFE prior to attending class.
b) Classes will start every Monday
c) If traveling by bus, students will be going to the Downtown Fort Worth, TX bus stop and being picked up from there and taken to the school. The FFE Driver Academy has a shuttle that will be picking drivers up from the bus station. The shuttle will run at 9am, 12 pm, and 3 pm. If you arrive during these time periods, you will need to wait for the shuttle. If you arrive after 3 pm, you will have to take Yellow Cab from the bus station to the Driver Academy which is located at 1801 Mony Street, Fort Worth, TX, 76102. You will NOT be reimbursed if you take a cab prior to 3 pm. Please be sure to get a receipt. You will be reimbursed on your 1st paycheck.
d) Yellow Cab: 214-426-6262 or 817-534-5555

Student Pay
All trainees will be paid $455 per week while on the truck with a trainer once you are an FFE employee. You will be out with a trainer for 6 weeks.

After upgrade to a solo driver:
.29cpm - for the first 6 months
.30cpm - 6-12months
.31cpm - at 1 year

 

Yes, sorry - I'm a dumb### sometimes and forgot to mention that I already have a CDL-A, so even though I have no experience that counts for anything, this would be a "refresher." I think the only difference is that I won't have to test out with DMV?

 

Most companies promise alot of miles whether you get them is another story. Remember, fresh from a trainer you have to prove yourself to DM, you ain't gonna get Cali to eastcoast 1st day solo, prove to be a good runner you will get miles, how long you stay out also has alot to do with miles. I drive in Chicago and see FFE alot as they have a terminal in Bridgeview, I also see Central a decent amount of the time.

 

Central says they drive 48 states. I read alot that they drive to Washington state and i live in misssissippi and i see them a few times a week usually Depending on catfish production. Except to do alot of states with Central and be glad when they keep you one a certain coast.

Hell be glad that you get a job alot of people have a hard time finding one much less getting a trucking because of some "accidents" or "road bumps" from their past.

 

My understanding is 18 days start to finish then training at an appropriate length of time, up to 6 weeks. I start Monday, 3.5.12
I looked a number of companies and FFE seems to best meet my needs.
Stephen