Just enrolled. Sheridan Adult Vo Tech. So. Fla.

I'm up in Midland Texas now. We work a 3 on 1 off rotation if we want it. We don't have to take the week off but still have to work the three weeks we are on. I am going to Florida Sunday for a week and just came back from Thailand 2 months ago. So either Fl or Thailand for me!
I worked inside a long time also as a Jeweler and Pawn shop manager. I like being outside also, but sometimes sand hauling is sitting and waiting. I would rather drive than sit.

Talk to you later
Jim

 

I'm enrolled in the same class with "wilburleft." I will use his user name, albeit I know his real name and consider him a friend. We both got our CDLs last week and tomorrow we do our 1st "long" road trip. Can't wait.

Had one job offer before starting school, and one the day I started school. Have 10 by now, so I'm just sitting back and picking which company I want to spend the first 6 months/1 year driving for, before I get a local job driving a tanker. Of those that have offered me jobs already, I'm considering: Schneider, Werner, Roehl, Armellini, and Florida Beauty Express. The last two are OTR companies based out of Miami, and I would have to touch the freight, but they claim to offer no less than 1K a week starting out, notwithstanding being home every 7-10 days for a minimum of 2 days. That's the kind of home time and money I want. Of the other three, Scheider and Roehl have my attention, as they are also the ones who pay best and offer most amount of home time. While CRST has the 20/10 program, and they've offered me a job, I've not heard good things about that company

Any unbiased thoughts on these by anyone will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

I recently graduated from MLEC (Miami Lakes Educational Center) which pretty much has the same exact program you guys are doing. I decided to go with Florida Beauty Express so I can keep you guys updated if you like. Orientation was pretty quick. I graduated on the 19th of this month, got all my paperwork done and will be on the road Monday the 24th.

 

That'll be great Omar. Thanks! We graduate December 18. I am heading down next Wednesday to meet informally with Carlos. Maybe I'll see you. Good luck on your first trip!!

 

Visited with Florida Beauty Express and Armellini today. Not impressed with Florida Beauty at all. The office facilities leave lots to be desired. Met with Angel, who didn't even want to hang up the call on his mobile phone to talk to me, but eventually did, only to tell me to come by on December 19th at 9:00 am to do the paperwork.

Armellini? Night and day. Dedicated building, a receptionist, and the recruiter with whom I've been talking even gave me a tour of the facility. Saw two of their trucks, the warehouse and they even sat down with me to tell me everything about their operation, what they require and the like. While I'm not crazy about being a third seat for a few weeks on a truck that's already too small for two guys, or be a "yard dog" for a few more weeks before getting on the road, the idea of being home more often than what any other company offers does interest me.

Then again, I'm starting to gravitate towards the solo operations rather than the teams, since I would like the freedom to stop, if possible, to see my daughter every possible moment I get. So I'm focusing my attention to Werner, Roehl, and Knight. Armellini is not out of the mix, but Florida Beauty is pretty much off my radar.

 

hey omar806 I graduate from (mlec) on nov/20 pm class and I went for armellini I start this Monday dec/8 in palm city,fl and after training i'll be based out of Miami wish u good luck on florida beauty !!!!!

 

Graduated today!! Finally!!!

Scheduled to start training with Werner on 12.29. Hopefully I'll be able to resolve the matter of relocating my daughter in time to start as scheduled.

 

Ok just to update you guys on whats going on at FBE.

My first week out on the road I left Miami on tuesday Nov. 25th on a load heading to California with my trainer. Got to Cali in 2 days and took a load heading to the north east. Had stops in NY, MA, NJ, and RI. After that we picked up a frozen food load in MA to come back home. Got back to Miami on Dec. 3rd early wednesday morning. The load didn't have to be delivered until thursday morning at 8AM so we got a release from that load, took it to the yard and went home. For my first week in trucking I would say it was a pretty decent week. Hardly sat around waiting to get a load to hit the road or to get unloaded at our stops. The truck was a 2013 Freightliner cascedia. Next week ill be in a new 2014 volvo 780. All of their trucks are automatic which I don't like but I guess thats where the future of trucking is headed. Also all the trucks are equipped with APU and inverters. Very comfortable. Now for the main thing everyone wants to hear. As a trainee you are paid 16 cents per mile, $7.50 for every stop and 10 cents per box unloaded off the trailer. For that first week at FBE my gross was $1703.30 and after deduction I took home a little over $1300. To me being fresh out of school that is not bad at all. FBE is not good on first impressions I'll say that but its not a bad deal comparing to how much you will make at other companies coming out of school. Another thing I like about FBE is they don't pressure to come to work. You can stay home as long as you want but you know if your not out here turning wheels, your not making any money.