Truck Driver Institute

hey tarmadilo, thanks for replying and welcome to the soon to be 60yo mens club, ha. how long ago do u get ur cdl? where did u go to school and how much did it cost, length/depth of classroom, road time? and what r u hauling-dry van, flatbed etc? u give me encouragement, hope. appreciate it man! be safe, healthy. peace!

 

I got my Class A in December, after 20 years of motorcoach driving on a Class B. I took a 40 hour weekend “bridge class” for Class B drivers wanting to upgrade from a community college in Maryland for $475 (I got the original Class B as part of my training as a school bus driver). I’m hauling dry van, tires mostly, based out of their terminal in Sunnyvale, Texas (2 1/2 miles from my house).

I’ve been out solo for about a month, after 6 weeks of training. I will note that what everyone says about CDL training is true, they only teach you enough to pass the licensing test, I learned how to actually be a truck driver from my company training.

 

ok cool man. U had a head start with the motorcoach and thats a good thing. Plus schooling, inexpensive/short and hired right on-i ain't jealous, psyche! Remember that...truthfully, i'm happy for ya man! Thanks for sharing, especially about were the real learning takes place. Best wishes for health, safety and prosperity. Maybe i'll meet ya up there in ohio, hometown lorain, at JRayl. Sounds like type of company i looking for. If u don't mind what cpm or load %, teamsters? Thanks again dude. GC ps. Just re-read post. U living in texas so that ohio comment out...! Mucho gusto or malta beinie!

 

Starting pay right now is .36/mile, but it’s effectively a little bit higher as they treat part of that as a non-taxable per diem. Not an incredible pay rate, for sure, but my trainers all told me that raises come pretty quickly for good drivers, and I figure I can test the waters elsewhere after I have six months in. Not a union shop. Do let me know if you apply with them.

As for seeing me on the road, I’m OTR, so you’re as likely to see me as any of the Akron drivers!

 

JRayl has 5 major terminals in Ohio (2), Indiana, Texas, and Virginia as well as strategic remote yards in Columbus, Indianapolis, and Houston. Customer routes keep our drivers on the eastern half of the United States and home EVERY weekend!

 

yeah man, sure you'll qualify for those incremental raises in due time my man! have no basis for pay rates but if ur temporarily satisfied and can make it work, thats what counts. me, never been motivated by money, though that may change once i get a feel how difficult trucking work can be. had it and lost it. use to run wide open, resulting from holding onto anger against my brother over family biz matters. learned anger doesn't pay, ha! we all gotta start somewhere and i get a feeling u will do just fine. i too want to be otr, dry van trucker. self-doubt sets in from time to time but like 1 dude said, just get out there and try it. sure would like to run into (not literally of course, ha!) out there someday. will c...and yeah for sure if i get over there, i'll look u up. happy and safe trails, mi hermano. paz! GC

 

Appreciate the extra, usefull info, chinatown. See u capaltized EVERY, which i'm sure is important to drives especially with families. But once i make a move, thats it, my truck cab becomes my home until...unfortunenatly no motivating family insentives, ie. kids, grandkids, significant other. Ain't crying, is what it is. But thanks again for staying up on these forums and adding sage like comments. Don't know how to address you, him/her because i see the both of u in the pic but then just the beautifull woman behind the wheel. Don't want to mis-address you or get personal, out of respect. So, i guesse, when i address y'all it be chinatown, including you both! Zijian.peace! GC

 

I talked to the one in south Carolina today. Thay want $4995. But if you pay at least $1000 up front the total price will drop to $3995. Too #### expensive for me the college right down the road is 3500

 

yea, i hear ya. anything is too expensive for me. trying for sponsored or grants or something. good luck man

 

Hey Senelcoolidge, hows it going since graduating TDI in 11-18? Whatever details u could/want to share (during/after school) would be appreciated. Thinking about TDI in Saucie, MS. with in-house financing, only way I can swing it. They don't take state grants anymore. Anyhow, hope things going ok by now. Best wishes man, be safe-stay healthy. Peace, GC