Starting TDI Oxford, AL 1/13/14. Anyone else?

Here's some companies to research & they hire new CDL graduates:

Superior Carriers
SVTN
CTL Transportation
Schneider Bulk
Keim TS
Melton Truck Lines
Decker Truck Line(just built a $2 million dollar terminal in Bessemer)
Howard Transportation

You're going to a private CDL school, so make that investment pay off by going with a top company with good pay right from the beginning. You can make, as a new driver, from $50K-$65K with a good flatbed or tanker company. Get the TWIC card and passport to increase you employment choices and higher pay.

 

I went to school there. The hotel was crap but there is a Walmart nearby and some other local food stores. Plenty of restuarants, but I never ate at any my roommate did and he love the Logans. The first week is class room to study to take your cdl written test to get your permit the second week is yard and driving over to Talladega to learn shifting on the road in from of the raceway. Its a great place to learn shifting. If Jarvis is still there, he's a great trainer and takes professionalism seriously, he has his own trucking company on the side so he knows his stuff. First week you will hear "now highlight this" a million times its a drag. Third week more pretrip and driving.

Me personally I chose Roehl for their hometime fleet and drove home every 14 days for 7 off, but I just like their hometime policy. Ellenwood is their closest terminal, south of Atlanta. Have fun and learn as much as you can and ask any questions you have because it's what you are there for to learn and soak up as much as possible.

 

Well hand!
You are in for a trip of your life! You are going to get so much information thrown at you that you are going to start puking like a teletype printer printing the teletypes,
Get lots of rest before you go!
When you get there become a Gentleman and open doors for others(even men it doesn't mean anything by it), Step up your Gitty Up You are joining an Elite Group of People, You are Becoming A Professional Truck Driver, You are joining a life style that few understand, but Son when it gets in your blood and it will if it isn't already there!
You are a special individual, there isn't a person born everyday that can get told that the load isn't ready and no it isn't your companies fault and so NO you are not getting paid to sit for 16 hours till it is ready, that would come back time after time with a smile!
But then they will ask you if you can still get it to its destination close to being on time and NO! We are not paying extra because it wasn't our fault, but then day in and day out, week in and week out, and year in and year out! you are still out there riding and running and hearing these same things, and being cut off by teenagers, and accused of doing something that may not be Professional but yet you continue to run the road of this Beautiful Country, And as you get experience, you will learn that these people who sound so discouraging to everyone else is encouraging to guys like me and you, because when we get knocked down and it will happen every now and again we jump back up and ask for one more load just like that last one because it can't be that bad twice in a row! You will learn to love to hate aspects of this business and life style, We all do, But It is in our blood and so we have to keep on keeping on!
My friend, You will need to look at EVERY Decision with Safety in the forefront of that decision, and if it isn't safe don't make that decision and if you don't make that decision don't do what isn't safe, Learn to watch out for others more then yourself in most instances, Learn to read people and their previous action and so that way as you get going you can start figuring what a person is going to do before they think of what they are going to do.
I have been driving for a living for almost 32 I have driven many many miles and have avoided many many accidents by being able to watch the movement in a car and figure out what they are going to do before they start to do it, I then stepped up my game got my CDL and now I'm in the Big League, But i still use those skills I developed so long ago to keep me and my vehicle out of harms way.

If I can say one last thing and I know this post is long, I'm glad I'm not being charged for each character but that would be.

Have fun, find the fun in this very very serious business and ride to good through the bad! Look for the sunshine beyond the clouds! When things are down and not going the way they should just smiling makes it just a little better, And as you get experience, You will get better at it, don't be to hard on yourself, it will come, if I can do this then so can ANYONE and I mean ANYONE!

That is all for now ltt

 

EagleSix Wherever you go be determined to stay there at the very minimum of 6 months, a year is not only double better but it shows you have sticking power, there are many out there that can't find a job because they have been labeled "Job Jumpers" Don't become one of them, it will not help your career move along very well. If there are any questions feel free to PM most any of us! If you need a boost! Go for a ride on a Roller Coaster! If you want to get high get get in an Elevator! OK I'm finished for now! Take Care.

 

I live about a mile from the school. Not sure what hotel they use because there isn't a hotel around for about 5 miles but it is a very nice area. Plenty of restaurants, entertainment, etc. Where do you live? That could play a big part in what company you want to work for. For instance, there is a TMC driver that lives at the end of my road. His truck is parked out there every friday - monday and sometimes during the week so I know his hometime is good. There is also a prime driver and a USX driver that lives a couple miles up 78 and they are there every weekend or every other weekend so for this area, their hometime is good.

Out of those 3 choices, I would go with TMC it I were in your situation. Best looking trucks on the road, good hometime, good pay, they expect you to be clean and keep their equiptment clean, etc. The only downside would be 62mph trucks. After that I would pick USX. Swift and Werner would be at the bottom of a VERY long list.

 

I know where Centre is. Used to go through there all the time to go to Rome to deliver. I've heard a lot of people complain about USX. Haven't heard many complain about Roehl. As far as trucks go, I do see some nasty looking Roehl trucks on the road but then again I see some very nice ones. I've never seen a bad USX truck but looks doesn't make money.