about to go to Truck Driving Institute in Sanford, FL

Actually now-a-days some companies run a trainer truck solo first then team...some it's strictly solo. Also depends on your trainer. I got one my second time around who was a dedicated driver. Never saw more than about 4 states and it was up at 0600 and to the sleeper by 2100 every day except the two he managed for home time.

Also, most big companies are flexible about where you call your home terminal...no need to lie just tell 'em straight. They go by your license but they actually do occasionally listen to what you say.

So now you know more questions to ask before you sign up. The biggest thing to remember is in this business - typical drivers want two things....time at home and more money. Those don't have to be your focus, so don't waste time asking about that...focus on what you WANT.

"I would like to..."

1) run all 48 and hit Canada...
2) be able to take my home time where ever I want that you have a terminal (mini vacations for home time rocks!)
3) be able to save up home time over months out.

You get the picture....decide what you really want to do other than just "the job"

Nothing wrong with doing the job 24/7 if you want to...but you will need a break from time to time.

As for the ladies...take'em as they come and wave as they go...but if you find one wanting to be your co-driver for life...there are worse ways to have a marriage.

 

I went to TDI in Sanford back in 96'. Decent school and had a lot of fun while I was there. As a single man with no family you should do fairly well out there since you don't have to be home for anything. The longer you stay out the more money you will make so this puts you in the upper bracket of earnings on the industry scale.

Personally I would recommend you stay away from the mega-carriers. Your chances of success will be much greater at a smaller company. Central Ref. is a pretty good company and hires newbies out of FL. Keep in mind at TDI the recruiters get paid to steer you toward the mega-carriers. They get paid to do so and you will have several companies come to talk to your class while you are in school. Don't let them brainwash you! They will make their company sound really good! Armellini is probably one of the highest paying out of Fl and will get you home every 3-5 days. Also Windy Hill is a really good small mom and pop company out of Fl.

Good luck man, let me know if you have any questions...

 

Normally I'd agree with you that smaller = better...but aside from the typical brainwashing you hear out on the road about how BIG = BAD, can you give me a good logical reason that he SHOULDN'T run (as a newbie) with a carrier that can get him regular loads, out over weekends since he wants that, little home time and the ability to hit all 48 instead of just "the east coast and maybe the midwest" as most small carriers do?

I mean, honestly, I get the hype - Big carriers are teh debbil, they're the reason the trucking industry is the way it is today, blah blah blah.

They're also the ones who can give him exactly what he's looking for. What's he going to get with a small carrier he can't with a big carrier? A little more pay? A prettier truck?

And for that, he gets to be STUCK HOME OVER THE WEEKENDS BECAUSE THEY GENERALLY DON'T RUN ON WEEKENDS and he gets to also tour all...what, 13 original states from the colonies plus a few extra?

I'm just sayin' if you're gonna give advice, listen to what the person's asking first.

 

Just finished TDI-Sanford Fri. school will definetly jam what you need to know into your head in a short three weeks only to get your CDL-A. All the instructors where cool especially the old guys,(Tom, Frito, Toothpick, Mike, Terry, Jerry,etc,. watch out for sleepy Steve!) if you can impress them and drive they tend to give you some tricks of the trade so to speak. If you need to finance as I did hopefully you will not end up with Rodney the Used Car Salesmen from hell! You have to stay on him to keep your paperwork going or you will end up discouraged at the end of your last week, he's a numbers guy and only cares about the initial sign-up after that your just a number. Thanks to the few people that instruct there for pionting this out. Aslo get full disclosure on the terms of the financing so you can go into this with a clear head, they like to tell you the important stuff at the end.
All-in-All good experience and training. See ya All out there, remember Shiny Side Up

 

im going to school there on my 3rd week.. once we lost steve on the yard i started understanding how to do the backups. steves way of teaching. let me show you then sit and blow wistle when you screw up.. he's a nice guy but not much of a trainer imo. i like Mike,bills, terry. havent had much with frito other than BS with him. Rex was good in the truck going down the road... all in all even if i dont pass this week i am happy with what ive goton out of the school. i did find that the carriers they have i didnt care for much. i will be heading to Wil-Trans soon. my recruiter was Todd and he didnt BS me in any way and Told me straight up. and wanted my wife there so that she knew what i was getting into and wanted to make sure she was okay with it as well..