Got to go to Chattanooga State and check out where my driving class will be

Chattanooga State's Commercial Truck Driving course is held off campus. They have a range for backing and 5 tractors: A KW T2000, an Aero Freightliner and 3 long nose Freightliners (non-aero models). They went over what to study for for our permit, class starts August 30th.

 

Welcome to the forum! School is a blast man, you are going to have a lot fun! Try and do most of your driving in those long noses and any other truck you get in will be a piece of cake to drive. How long is their schooling? Start now looking into companies to drive for. Like I tell the other new guys, stay away from the mega-companies. Go for the smaller mom and pop companies. There should be no shortage of them in TN. Also, apply to the companies that aren't doing that much advertising. This means their driver turn-over rate is lower which in turn means that their drivers are happier working for them. Your chances of getting a good trainer are much better too! These mom and pop companies are going to treat you like family instead of a number. They will care much more about whether you succeed or not. Good luck to you, this is a great place to attain info about the trucking industry. Keep in mind a lot of it is opinion though.

 

Just make sure you don't go with covenant when you graduate....

 

You'll be find there at Chatt State. Plus you'll have the benefit of actually learning something about the trucking industry.

If your looking for a local company, check out Shane Hood Trucking. He's on 41 south out of East Ridge going into Ringgold. On the right side! That is, unless he's gone out of business recently. I haven't had a need to go down that was in a while, so I don't know if he's still there. Ofcourse you've got USXpress & Convenant right there.... But I wouldn't consider them local companies.

 

School is 7 weeks. They had brochures and pre-hire apps from the following companies on hand: Maverick, US Xpress, Covenant, USA Truck, Roehl, Averitt, TMC, and a couple more.

I was kindof surprised to see those long nosed FreightShakers, why should I try to do the majority of my driving in those long noses?

 

Cause after you get use to driving without seeing whats directly in front of you.... Everything else is a cake walk!

Out of the companies you list.... Meverick & averitt would be my top 2 choices.

 

Yeah, Maverick and Averitt would be mine too!