Home Time question from a newbie

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by jazzlogan, Sep 13, 2012.

  1. jazzlogan

    jazzlogan Bobtail Member

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    Feb 11, 2011
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    I have a two kids and me and my wife's current business has been slow lately so I'm looking to do something else.

    I'm located in Alabama and I was thinking about using my GI Bill to pay for a school and start working.

    I have been looking at Millis transfer, TMC, Maverick, Trans Am, and KLLM. I don't know which ones do the va apprenticeship program but that's not as important as finding a good company with home time options.

    I understand I can't make maximum amount of money being home more often but I have to try as much as possible. Does anyone recommend one of the companies above or have another suggestion?

    Also I know starting out I can't ask for a lot but inverters and/or apus would be nice. One last thing: how much experience do you guys reckon would it take to get a local cdl job? Thanks in advance wise ones.
     
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  3. Driverjrl

    Driverjrl Bobtail Member

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    Sep 13, 2012
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    You will be told by ever company out hear 14 days out and 2 days home time..in reality it will be 3 to 4 wk's out and three to four days home time..most company training programs are on the job with a small pay check and are not VA approved...I have. Even with KL for over 5 years you must have your CDL with hazmat and tanker endorsements score you will be considered for the training program. Most company's will only allow a 400 wt inverter that can be pluged into lighter outlet...
     
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  4. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    Philadelphia Pa
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    With TMC I have gotten home weekly for a while....when getting home weekly I made about 900-1000 after tax /week. When i stay out i make about 200-400 more. Your Fleet manager and you need to sync up with you and he needs to find good runs to get you home. This requires trial and error. You may be out 3 weeks to start but once you start clicking you can get home weekly. After 2 months i got home every week-end.

    TMC has a 7 week training program (2 in IA and 5 on road). They hire new drivers.

    TMC allows inverters that you pay for, they install. Its a 1500 watt for like 180 or so. No Apu.

    from what i'v heard, local jobs want you to have atleast 1 year driving experience.

    If you want more info on TMC PM me
     
  5. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    180 for a 1500. where' you buying them at?

    lately they've been closer to the 125 mark.
     
  6. jazzlogan

    jazzlogan Bobtail Member

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    Feb 11, 2011
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    Thanks for the replies everyone! I'll get back to you on TMC Richter. I'll probably go to a private CDL school or whatever so I don't have to sell my soul to any contract trainer companies but I still want to make an informed decision before I make the leap into any job does anyone have anymore info on the companies or more wisdom?
     
  7. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    Feb 13, 2012
    Philadelphia Pa
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    That's from TMC including their insulation with over sized wire. Its pure sine wave. They wont let you put your own in their truck so if you want one you have to buy it from them and have them install it.
     
  8. TRKRSHONEY

    TRKRSHONEY Heavy Load Member

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    Knoxville, TN
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    Probably have a lot of detractors on this, but Stevens Transport out of Dallas has an excellent school, all trucks are equipped with APUs and inverters, and we run a lot of freight through Alabama. May not get you home for every week-end, but your Driver Manager should be able to keep you running through enough to have a night at home about every week.

    Stevens finances the cost of the school and as long as you remain employed with them your payback is about $26 per week which they match.
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2012
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  9. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    Feb 13, 2012
    Philadelphia Pa
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    If you can afford it, pay it yourself. TMC offers 75-100/month after you sign on to pay you back for school. If you quit, you stop getting the payments, but don't owe them thousands. You can also switch companies if you have to. I got my permit before going to school and did a lot of studying on my own. I only paid 2000 for school because i skipped the classsroom work. Check with the companies your interested in. They may recommend/ require certain schools.
     
  10. Black Cow in the nightime

    Black Cow in the nightime Bobtail Member

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    Jul 13, 2010
    Chicagoland
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    Millis has their own school which they require for us newbies. $500 down and they finance the $4500 balance plus the hotel bill. They deduct $30/week to pay the bill (20 for school and 10 on the hotel). $2500 is forgiven after 1 year of employment. Feedback on the forums has been very, very good on Millis. They publish their hometime guarantee on the website. I hope they live up to it. I start training in 2 weeks.
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2012
    tablefor7 Thanks this.
  11. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Let us know what you find.

    Good Luck
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2012
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