Jim Palmer trucking

They also have a school in Springfield, Mo.

 

I believe they call that one Wil-Trans in Springfield.

 

She told me depending on what lanes I wanted, West or easthe coast, would determine where I trained at. I am trying to pay my CDL myself, but if not, JP/WT is on my short list behind flatbed/tanker companies

 

Our contract is 12 months. Our training is through our company, we do not outsource any training. You will be training at Wil-Trans in Springfield MO if you are interested in East coast lanes, and at Jim Palmer in Missoula MT if you are interested in West coast lanes. It is up to you which lanes you prefer.

 

Neither you nor I have any way of knowing whether my experience is typical, or whether this is better or worse than other companies.

What's not subject to this small-sample-size problem is that the people heading their training dept are first rate. I suspect there are systemic problems within the industry related to OTR trainers being ########, but at Jim Palmer I've gotten support and been treated right when it's been necessary to switch trainers. The first time, they paid for my bus ticket back to Missoula and put me up in a hotel while they found me a new trainer.

 

I spoke with a Jim Plamer recruiter extensively over a few months. I checked everything I was told with various drivers. Everything checked out. I may still go there later. Their training is first-rate and individual while the same cost is the same I paid for a cookie-cutter, herd 'em in, herd 'em out, 3 week CDL school 20 plus years ago. After training, you have the option at any time to pay for the $3500 CDL course or just finish out your first year. IMO, you should not consider working for any company if you aren't certain you can stay there 1 year. Some people will tell you you can leave before then and not hurt yourself, maybe. I would not recommend that. Some companies may accept it, but not the really good one.

 

That's a nice option to have. I have looked at local companies requiring 6 months/50k miles to hire on and it would be nice to have that option if I landed the local jobs I'm looking at.

Deciding on East or West coast lanes with WT/JP is my dilemma.

 

Go West Young Man!

 

Is the east that bad?! Consider I've never left the Midwest except one trip to Florida, and a cruise from Texas. Haven't seen either coast or the north.

 

The East is more congested. I'm sure Jim Palmer runs coast to coast; they advertise in almost every state. I'd pick Jim Palmer.
If you decide to pay for cdl school yourself, look at Danny Herman Trucking. They have tuition reimbursement and run coast to coast. A good benefit to this company is they don't run Northeast or New York City. For married drivers, can take the spouse along. Trucks have APU, etc. for driver comfort.
Check the website.