Soon to be student...

responses in red

 

Best of luck in finding anything besides OTR after school. Those jobs usually require at least 6 mos, if not 1 year of OTR experience.

As far as companies are concerned, check this link out: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/motor-carrier-questions-the-inside-scoop/

Most information you request about trucking companies will be largely ignored, not because people don't want to help you out here, but because the information is so detailed and prevalent on that area of the site.

As far as what to look for:

Miles: how many and how are they figured (practical or household mover)?
Pay: is it per diem? (don't pay much attention to CPM, initially, as your pay will have more to do with the quantity of miles you receive than the rate per mile) Some companies offer tuition reimbursement. Many companies offer safety and miles bonuses.
Home-time: this doesn't vary much from CO to CO, but typical is 1 day home for every 1 week working; most companies want you out for at least 14 days, although I am hearing 3-4 weeks is more realistic.
Team or Solo: some companies, such as CRST, only hire team drivers. There is usually a bonus for signing up as a team driver. (Virtually NO ONE recommends driving for CRST, though!)
Equipment: A few companies have switched to all auto-shift transmission fleet. Though break-downs occur at all companies, check the average age of their fleet. The norm seems to be 2006-7 and newer. Assigned or Slip-seat?
Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) or Idle policies
Satisfaction of current drivers: this can be found at the link above.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

 

Expect isolation in a box for weeks strait, and talking to yourself.

 

PTDI means nothing.....its just another reason to charge you more for the same sheety school. My Dad went to a PTDI certified school.....3 weeks long





American Trucker

 

Don't wait to "approach employment afterwards." In this industry, the application process is such that you can apply to most companies without a CDL #. If your background check comes back clear (among other checks), you may receive a "prehire" letter. This letter basically reserves a spot for you in the company's orientation, pending your graduation from an approved CDL course.

AllowMe's suggestion to investigate this industry before you commit cannot be stressed enough. There is a lot you need to figure out about yourself as well as the industry before you invest the time and money into trucking. You will often read on this forum, "trucking is a lifestyle, not a career." This is 100% accurate because the pay (if you calculate your earnings by the hour) is TERRIBLE (well below min. wage) and because you are RARELY home. For those of us who are young and without familial commitments, this may not be a negative aspect, but if you have relationships that tie you down (not to sound negative), consider yourself warned. I fit into the former category, and look forward to not being tied down to an exact location. I have a strong work ethic, and am willing to work for my pay.

If this does not deter you, then congratulations! You may very well be one of the few people cut out for the industry. I know this post sounds negative, but wait until you read some of the posts from more experienced drivers - they'll make you wonder why even they continue to drive after 14+years! Try to combine the positive and negative posts; reality is somewhere between the two!

 

The school I attended is 4 weeks, non PTDI (not even accredited by any regional firm), and I received no less than 6 prehires from various companies - 4 of which, (after much research) I felt extremely confident would be great starter companies.

 

Consider yourself lucky!

Thanks! After things I have read/heard, I wouldn't team either, lest it be with someone I know and trust.

Your point about driving with someone else during training brings up another important point: Make sure the company you plan to drive for has a policy against driving as a team during your training period. The point is for you, the trainee, to gain experience and some instruction, and NOT to earn big money by running the most miles possible. I have heard that many trainers try and get away with team driving with their trainee; the trainee may as well be driving solo in my opinion.

Sorry about the break up, but good to hear that you meet two qualifications:
1. no relationship
2. you've got driving in your blood!