Any body did the estes cdl school training I heard they make you signs 2 yr contract?

I'm not sure of the 2 year contract. I know that they want you as a dockhand first and then you sign up for the Dock to Driver program. I THINK you hafta be a dockworker for 6 months minimum. But if they are hurtin for drivers they might give a little leeway. Is this what you are referring to, or have they advertised a training program in your area?

 

I would be very leery signing contracts. Your first year is so dangerous as far as getting into that preventable bumping something or someone, get yourself dismissed from the company and then on the hook for a contract. I don't think you should do this.

 

This is sound advice for the OP. Especially in an LTL setting. Some of the places they try to send you and the tight docks and city traffic all day. Especially if they start throwing residentials your way. If you smack a tree limb, clip a cable wire, or get your tires in a yard and someone freaks out and calls in on you, it's a preventable in Estes' eyes. As are tow truck calls when the guys at your construction site delivery tell you where they want you and think because their tri axle Kenworth equipment hauler can get out of there so can your choked out single axle daycab.

 

Managers of certain stores that are orange are insufferable with equiptment capabilities. When I try to rearrange my large 53 foot trailer and the big sleeper tractor in a very small part of their lot away from the foot traffic and cars, managers come out and tell me their drivers turn around all day long (30 foot flats on single day cabs... small class 7 tractors) and give me a hard time.

I used to be dedicated to where delivery of nursery flowers and plants come off the trailer in various stores across a state in racks and carts inside the trailer and in season it was a common occurance. The inventory of the store for sale would be right there lined up along the curb and everything.

I think this one should go into a LTL rant post rather than here. But it goes to show that there very real risks of property damage and losses if you don't watch it.

 

Fedex Freight requires a one year commitment. I would assume any company that does their own CDL training requires some kind of contract. Hiring and training a new driver costs the company upwards of thousands of dollars (I've heard estimates of up to $10,000 per trainee). The contract is essentially for the company to recoup some of their costs. If you complete the contract, you can walk away from the company at that point with a valuable instrument (your CDL). If you leave prior to your contract termination, you are obligated to pay for the equivalent of CDL training at a school.

 

Interviewed with Estes the other day and he mentioned a two year contract w/ Estes if they put you through CDL school.

 

There has to be some sort of defense against at will employ which theoretically could fire you at any time during the term of the contracted employ for a 20 dollar broken mirrior that is preventable for example.

My thinking lies in the cold harsh fact that there are thousands upon thousands of dollars involved in raising up a CDL driver and running same on the road as per employment. This is not some simple fast food dishwashing job in Long John Silvers or some such disposible work.