Starting with Henderson Trucking

You will also have to take the regular Illinois drivers test for your permit so take a look at it before you get to the school. Great people at Henderson.

 

Study the Illinois CDL book, take the practice tests on this site and the CRIST site. Also be sure you have an acceptable birth certificate.

 

I went through their school in march I was in my own truck by may 2. That is after being out with a trainer for a few weeks so far I love it the money is excellent (as long as you are willing to run the miles givin) the only thing I don't like so far is the 4 weeks out and 4 days home because I have a wife and 3 little girls, but that's something I was told would happen from the start so it isn't like it was a surprise. My driver manager Dan is great (I hope he wouldn't mind my putting his name out there ) he really is a good guy and any time I have needed to call for any issues he is quick to fix it if he can and he gets me great miles. The key thing is NEVER NEVER NEVER turn down a load even if it is only a short few hundred miles because what I have learned is when they give u those short ones it's probably because the have longer ones waiting on you. Always be on time or even early, most of my runs I have been a day sometimes more early it's much better in my opinion to be a day early than an hour late also I think the dispatchers look at that and can see they can trust u to be on time at least they would much rather call and ask the company if u can drop or pick up early then they would late. I hope any of my rambling helps if u have any questions for a new guy feel free I'm happy to help and if I don't know the answer I'll figure it out. Safe driving.

 

I've been accepted and start with them at the begging of Sept. I'm interested in the updates you might post here. Thanks

 

Talk to the students that have been there a few weeks and they will let you know what to expect.

 

Henderson never has been the best company even when they were in Salem IL they paid way to cheap. Now that prime bailed them out I heard its a mess. They just started that school in Jan because they can't keep drivers. They really push the lease. But you would have to be a fool to lease with them all there freight is through prime (because they bailed them out of going bankrupt) they even mainly pull prime trailers. Prime hauls a lot of cheap freight ( what big company doesn't ) So two parties are taking a cut before the lease operator gets his share. That's a bad deal. Probably ok to start with. Had a few friends go there for school. They said it was ok just have to watch them and make sure you don't get screwed.

 

I've decided to go with Henderson because they pay the best out the gate in a full size sleeper (.38 per) and guarantee 2500 miles weekly, assuming you weren't turning down loads (and a few other loopholes, I'm sure.). They also run 48 state, which was important to me (otherwise Roehl was in the running). Also, no driver facing camera, unlike Swift, Roehl, and Millis. We gotta start somewhere. It's only a year. Most things in life are what you make of it. And I can do a year standing on my head, knee deep in a manure facory.

Even if I went to a private CDL school/mill, I'd still give Henderson a good long look.

I doubt any starter company could be considered "The best company..."

Again, gotta start somewhere.

 

Ya There an ok place to start. Just don't lease.