Trucker 2 Be

Hello TTR.

I've been preparing to enter the industry since December. It's been a childhood dream of mine. I decided shortly after Christmas now was as good a time as any & have been studying my state CDL manual, online forums & taking online quizzes for the past few months.

I decided to "get this show on the road" literally last Saturday & applied to Prime Inc. & USA Truck. I was contacted from recruiters from both companies... but Prime's program has taken presidency for the time being.

I was called by a Prime recruiter who loved my work history (been with the same company going on 5 years). USA Truck only sent me an email.

Call me old fashioned, but I'll take talking with someone mano-a-mano over an automated email any day of the week. I'm waiting for my background check to clear from Prime & should hear back from them by Tuesday.

If all pans out I'll be headed to Prime HQ in Springfield MO next month.

Wish me luck!

 

Unfortunately I ran into some obstacles with Prime. But...Swift contacted me and offered to have me immediately. I know, I know...

But on the bright side, Swift has a partnership with a local school so I can sleep in my own bed during training.

Henderson also offers a local program but I can't find much info on them. USA now only offers training to those who live in Arizona.

 

To answer your original question, I looked @ Celadon, Pam, USA, Prime & Swift before dropping apps.

There's no way I'd apply for Celadon or PAM after talking to some of their employees.

 

I start C1 this upcoming Monday via Swift.

I know there are other companies that school is 100% free after a year. Swift's program after 13 months you've already invested $1950 before reimbursement begins, but in all honesty I've been with my current employer for 5 years & the one prior for 8 so this small detail really doesn't weigh heavy on my mind. I've never been more excited about going to work before (and I manage an IMAX movie theatre so it's not like my current job sucks or anything) LOL. I just want a better life for my family.

It's like that Pink Floyd song, "Picking around on a piece of ground in your hometown...waiting for someone or something to show you the way."

I'm nearly 33, I don't want to be that old guy sitting on his porch wondering "What If" for the rest of my life. I'm really excited about this next chapter.