Starting out for rookies

In Florida, CTL has training in Auborndale. I think u have to sign on with them for one year for free training.

 

RoyBoy,
Just check out the websites of the companies, they pretty much tell you which of the following they approve of,,,,,

-pay for recent approved schooling
-pay for there school and contract you for 1-2 years
-pay for approved schooling and contract you for 1-2 years
-tell you an approved school nearby (no $$)
- No, schooling, we hire Experienced only

Myself, I am doing a Community College course and then looking for a company that will take me on, that way I am not owing anyone 1-2 years on a job just to pay for schooling, mine will already be paid for

Good luck !

 

that is what I will be doing Royboy,
--talked to a few schools and obtained the price for the entire course
---asked many questions
-----pay for it on my own, what schedule of payments would they recommend
------in today's economy, what companies are hiring newbie's / graduates
All I know is that this approach has been effective in the past for me
**Wishing you nothing but success , peace of mind, & happiness !!!

 

First let me say I have zero experience in the trucking industry, I never even drove a manual transmission in a car or truck before let alone double clutch a potentionally 80,000lbs moving vehicle. I dont know much about cars, i live in a city everyone I knows takes their cars to the shop for oil changes and regular check ups, never mind problems, always seemed easier. I thought about trucking on three different occasions and finally decided to give it a go. I wasnt to thrilled about being under contract with a company for a yr or 2 (what if I hate the experience) and as fate(not sure if good or bad yet) would have it i had just enough money, barely enough to pay for my own schooling, the thought at the time was that this route would provide the most flexability.

Im currently attending a private school in PA to get my CDL, Although I have nothing to compare it to, i feel like I'm getting good training. it is a 5wk coarse, they're were only 3 students in my class, and after getting my permit, for range time and driving time (4hrs a day - including however long it takes me to do a PTI and Air break check) then you go home.

I take the CDL test this Friday, and as far as the PTI and Range(backing) i pretty sure I'll do ok, Its basically a point system...and although I am nowhere that good at backing(its like driving 2 cars at once) so as long as I score a perfect on my straight line back, I should atleast be able to pass with the use of pull ups (1pt for each - 4total before you fall). What concerns me though is that this is memorization, the range is marked to give you reference points, im worried that were those reference lines taken away would i still be able to excute those backing manuevers.

Currently Im on my 5th wk of training which is road time(20hrs worth/5days). I've been out with the truck 3x now and Id say for never driven manual before Im doing ok, though i have stalled a few times. Mostly my problem is in processing what Im supposed to be doing fast enough. I know what to do to upshift(actually im pretty good at this) and down shift(not so good) its just that i still have to think about, its not second nature and i dont really expect it to be, cause i dont have the experience for it to be like the back of my hand, i understand this.

I've been hit with a tremendous amount of info in a short time, and honestly i've aside from the things Im currently doing everyday, i've forgot most of it, especially rules n regs. i feel like kelly bundy when she went on family fued and learn something new and forgot who scored 4td in a polk hs football game. (well maybe not that bad but you get the point). Im thinking bout shift gears, checking my mirrors, watching whats behind me to the side of me, in front of me...trying to read traffic signs...not hit any corners all while driving the rig. everythings happening at once its alot to process when your just learning it for the first time. and honestly i think i've done pretty good considering where im starting from.

McElroy Trucking came to our school (flatbed work - dedicated route with lowes out of Hagertwon MD). they promise off on wkend due to religious reasons they shut down trucks on SAT and lowes doesnt except shipment on SAT/SUN. 7more wks of training 4w/ trainer if you make it thou orientation.

ABF trucking came thu (sound nice pays $19hr but its all on call work no guarantee hrs, and they wanna send you back to school for a month, they'll pay but then they want 2yr commitment).

Another company came in 4get the name, 10mins from where I live, but it was mostly all NJ/NY city, NE driving, dont think im ready for that quite yet.

last option(atleast the i've gathered so far via school). one of the guys in my class is going to work for an owner operater, i believe he has a contract with Fed-X, All doubles/triples(cant pull trips in PA). says that have to run team for 6-7mos with a exp driver, then if that went well I would get own truck. dont know If im in a position to be out on the road that much w/ someone i dont know from scratch, but i also understand short term sacs for long term goes.


I guess my real concern is this, even when i pass my test and i will pass my test, i didnt spend my money not to pass. so even when at some point i pass my test i still cant honestly say im prepared to be a full time truck driver, just feels like i need more practice. what are some of the good companies for a guy to join who is in my circumstance and more than anything needs more experience and good on the job training,who wants to be a safe driver thats has a long career. i get that after 1yr of clean driving more doors open but you gotta make it that 1yr with a clean record first u still got to live thru that.


I feel like choosing the right 1st company is essential to whether i'll stick it out in the business, and i know nobody can get me that type of concrete answer but given all i've posted what companies might best allow me to succeed in the trucking business. I've tried to be competely honest about my experience so far, so if i wrote it you can take what i said at face value its all truthful...I thank you in advance for taking the time to help out a fellow trucker trying to get his feet wet and be safe doing it.

Ive posted this post under a few threads to try to reach as many ppl if you ran across this before no need to reply twice atleast tell me where i can find your comments thou and i'll go look them up.

 

Hi Trucker-T

Wow, You have just stated all the fears from everyone in my class
We are all getting our training thru a community college here in Oregon.
and now we wonder , Where do we go,
Personally , my view was that I go out to the local truck stop on I-84, make a quick drive thru and write down company names. Go home and research them on the web. Next day do the same thing,, you start to see a pattern of who goes thru your home area. Now you have narrowed down your search to a few recognizable companies in your home area, research time again on then..
*whats there requirements (experience or newbie)
*how long with mentor
*benefits
*etc,,,,,

I found an in-state company that likes to take on CDL graduates, put them with there company mentor 2-4 weeks and then get them going. time is at the discretion of the mentor, some people were two weeks and others up to six, and they paid $350 a week during that time.

As for the other fears, our class teacher says that he was scared to death his first time alone, Responsible for company truck, contents, getting on the road and going,,,,,
He says you need the first couple of years just to learn the roads, the truckstops and planning your time and living style.

There is good and bad reviews for every company, and each company usually have there own places where they want you to fuel, and the routes they want you to travel,,,,

Oh the adventure begins and it is Grand, Innit ??

Four weeks left to practice driving here for myself, I am starting to get nervous too,,

Good luck and good roads !

 

Having a good attitude going into your first company is very important to succeeding. Realizing that you will be adapting to an entirely new lifestyle is another key. Your schedule will be screwy, you'll be sleeping at times you're not use to, etc. Hopefully, you get a good trainer, as that is a very important factor. There are some trainers out there that have no business training anyone, but for the most part, I think most trainers are fairly decent. Personalities and habits may clash a bit, but as long as you are willing to work through things, and even put up with a couple of annoyances you should do ok.

Ask questions. Remember that the only stupid question is the one not asked. Be sure to write things down, take notes.

It is rather scary when you finally get your own truck and your first load. Relax, remember what you learned, and you'll do ok. You can always ask your DM, or anyone else at the company questions.

 

nomadbeginner, i have taken more notice of the companies that are on the roads while im driving to and from school, as I have to drive I-81 to get there. I will take what you said into consideration, actually ill probably put it into action. I would like to thank you but im not exactly sure how on the boards so THANK YOU for taking time offering some help.

Lilbit, yes im trying to have a positive attitued everyday and learn as much as I can, thank you also for your advice...

keep it coming because I can never learn enough.

 

Trucker-T
Look in the lower right corner of the post I made to you, you will see the thumbs up thanks and click it, that is also where you can grab quotes from the post like I did showing it above.

Good luck and Good Roads

 

EXPEDITE TRUCKING INDUSTRY

I am confused, sorry, what is the difference between expedite trucking companies and the otr companies ?

 

TruckerT Lilbit is right. You will have to adapt to a new lifestyle being in this trade is like no other there are a lot of negatives and a lot of positives and a good attitude goes a long way in this trade.