The New FFE Driver Academey

not to blast FFE management, but they dropped the ball on putting their name out to several companies, and didn't move as fast as they should have submitting applications back for contracts here, so work here is iffy at best, shift work is supposed to start at 6, some people are showing up at 3 trying to get work just to stay afloat for now.. but little whisperings say wait a few months before trying it down here, those same whisperings say get your X endorsment for tank+hazmat

 

Hey guys and gals,

I'm sorry for the long post, but......

Just got done reading all 265 pages. Good reading here, and VERY informative. I've also been drawing on my father's experience a bit for general industry questions (HOS which he still keeps up on, lifestyle, road stories, etc...) since he drove for a few years in the late 1990's - early 2000's for US Xpress, PFT Roberson (now bankrupt and assets sold off), and for an individual that owned 1 truck, as well as his more recent experience as a DOT and Safety coordinator for an oilfield company.

Got out of the Army back in April and have been looking for jobs since then with no luck. Driving is something I've wanted to do since high school, and I figured that now would be a good time for me to do it since it's just my wife, dog, and I with no kids and no worries of rent other than a storage room for our household goods.

I've been doing research on multiple companies and avenues towards my CDL. FFE, Prime, and Roehl (not exactly company paid, but they do have their own training program that you pay back over the course of a year with them) are training companies I'm looking at. I'm also looking at a couple of community colleges if they have dormitories or offer transportation assistance from a motel to the school, but haven't heard back from them yet. Following a community college program, I'd likely go with Con-Way or Schneider due to their veteran apprentice programs, if a college is my chosen route. Currently, FFE stands out at the top of the list. I live about a 45 minute drive away from the point where it's 120 miles to Dallas on I-20 (Tyler), so it would be nice to be part of a company that's as close as FFE is to home.

I've got a health issue that I'm working on getting remedied with the VA doctors, so I've got a couple of months before I'm ready to take the plunge. I'm here to continue with my research and decision making process to have a plan A, B, C, and maybe even D so when the time comes to make the jump, I'll know who to go with.

I do have a few questions.

First, for those of you who have completed orientation. On the rider policy, I've read that it's $29 a month and can be a spouse (all I'm really concerned about for riders). However, is there a time limit that your spouse can be a rider on the truck? My plan is for my wife and dog to live on the truck with me after allowed by company policies.

Second, pertains to the pet policy. I've seen where the policy is for a 1cpm reduction in pay. Is there a deposit, either refundable, partially refundable, or non-refundable? Are there size restrictions? My dog is a housebroken, spayed, 48 lbs mixed breed, up to date on shots (for the state of Texas) and has a microchip.

Also, since I plan on bringing my wife and dog with me, would FFE have a problem keeping me out for 3-4 months or so at a time without going home for more than maybe a quick stop in en route elsewhere (ie, my 10 hour break) if the route just happens to pass by my hometown?

Lastly, has anyone here made it past their 1 year mark whether or not you stuck with the company? If you're no longer with the company, what made you decide to leave? Are there any changes in the way that you are treated after your first year if you remain with the company? Any benefits to staying past 1 year other than a slight CPM raise and feeling good about being loyal to a team? I know Playmaker has moved on to another company, but apparently has no hard feelings against FFE as a company. What about Spat, Tigger, and the others that were part of the first few classes at the Academy? I haven't seen their posts on here in a while.

If you don't feel comfortable posting it here, PM me with your honest answer.

Hoping to get my issues sorted out and on the road to over the road soon.

Thanks in advance,
Shannon

 

Hey fellow, you would be better off to pay for it yourself. These places that train you make you work for pennies. You sound like u have been in the service. First check at your local Texas Workforce to see if they have a program that will pay for your training. Ask at the schools they can also give a lot of infro. and help you get the money to pay for it. Good Luck

 

you go right from DPS to oreintation then out with your trainer no time to go home in between

 

Transportation to/from the school location and while in school is currently an issue for me, hence the reason for looking at company paid training like FFE where they have dorms and provide a hotel with shuttle service to males that don't have a dorm room yet and all females, plus a shuttle to Wally World a time or two a week for necessities.

Thanks,
Shannon

 

Mydartswinger: please do some more homework before you commit to one of these companies. I thought that was the route I was going to have to take because I couldn't afford to pay for it myself. After I did some research I found that my local community college had a cdl course and they helped me get a grant...so now it's not going to cost me a penny! What's even better is that I won't have to be stuck with a company now, I can apply to any that I want
good luck!

 

Your post is correct, but you might be forgetting the fact that most companies will only hire drivers with experience. With FFE, if you pass the training course, you are guaranteed a job.

 

Funding isn't the only issue. I may be able to figure out something for funding. Getting to/from the school on a day to day basis is the biggest issue. I don't have a car I can drive at the moment. I might be able to save enough unemployment to buy a clunker to get me around, but I wouldn't feel comfortable relying on a clunker for 3-8 weeks (depending on the school) getting me 45+ minute 1 way drives to school.

I just got an e-mail back from a college in Houston, they do not have housing for students. That school is out of the question. If they don't, then it's likely that few others do. If I go to a college to get my CDL, I NEED on campus housing.

Yes, I know that it would be better to go get my CDL on my own, then select a company. The company list goes from about 10 companies (including companies that require payroll deduction for their school), to about 22 companies (including those with schools, so having a CDL adds about 12 companies to the list).

Thanks again,
Shannon

 

Is there anyone here scheduled for the class starting July 9th? If so, do you already have your travel reservations?

 

That is also correct but the college also has an affiliation with quiet a few trucking companies that recruit the students as they graduate from class so the opportunity to get a job at the end of it is still good! It's just another option to consider that will save you a whole bunch of money if you qualify.