Looking to get into driving...

Well, I've been around Trucking and Forestry all my life, we mostly float the equipment and haul chips. When I was younger I went with my father all the time and when we moved the equipment he told me to pull the truck ahead, I was around 11-12 when He taught me the basics. I lost my dad in 2003, I was 15 at the time, we still run our business, but since then I have been dreaming of driving. I'm now 18 and currently enrolled in College taking Diesel Mechanics, but when I complete the course I'm looking to get a job driving (hauling studwood or wood chips. I would just be wondering about some suggestions.

Thanks.

Jared.

 

welcome to the road show!
what exactly are ya wonderin'? do you have a CDL already?

 

As of this time I have nothing, just a little know-how..

 

that will help alot in getting through a school.
you should reasearch into schools in your area carefully. find one that has a very low student to teacher ratio (this may not apply to you because of your experience) make sure it has a course more than a week or two long. try to pay for it yourself, then you won't have to sign any stinking contracts.

do you know who you would like to work for yet? if you do call and ask them what is their requirement for new hires. they may take you with just previous Exp. and a CDL. or they may want you to go to a school.

 

Well there is a training school just around the corner from me, and they offer a 6 or 12 week course,and from what I've seen thy do a darn good job. But what I'm looking at doing is hauling logs/ wood chips (short haul) and the company that I'm looking at will put me through this course but I have to sign a contract...

 

ask'em if you can school somewhere else, with no contract

 

You might also double check with the log company to make sure that you will be covered under their insurance. My son is 20, has his cdl now for a year. He has to wait until he is 21 before the insurance companies will cover him.

 

I have friends my age now that are working for them, they are covered by their insurance plan

 

Two questions. Are you familiar with this particular company? How long is the contract?

 

Hello,
I went to Schneider in GB WI and learned to drive there,At first you go 11 day's of school and driving,if you get through that,then you go home for 2-3 day's and go back for a week of extended school (classroom) and they work on what you have a tougher time doing on the road and practice more difficult
backing,if you need more time they'll work with you on that also,if you get past that week they put you with a TE (training engineer) for driving across country and so on for 1 wk to 4 wks, then you get a truck and start driving on your own.you have to work for them for a yr to pay back for the schooling.
I DIDN'T ! i paid them with a credit card and it cost me 3,000 and went home and bought a truck and worked local for a friend for a year for experience,plus i was home everynight.ALOT of people say schneider drivers aren't good driver's but i beleive it's the person behind the wheel and not the school or company,good luck with what ever path you choose.
grover