Thinking strongly of taking the plunge into Frozen Food Express schooling - ????????

I will say this. You think screaming kids are stressful! Working for FFE isnt too much different than any company as far as the physical driving goes. One thing that I did like is it was a true long haul carrier when I was there. You never knew where you were headed. Some people liked it some didnt. As far as doing it because the screaming kids....... I dont think you would like some of the stress that comes with trucking. The low pay from FFE is certainly compatible with school bus wages. I only mDe .29 cents there as a new driver.

 

U spoke with ffe yesterday and am going there in 2 months. They upped their starting pay to. 32 cents per mile now.

 

Are you going to Lancaster for the Orientation? I had a good time there. Gigantic Terminal and good food passes through haha The orientation was simple. Maybe 3 days and the road test was pretty simple too. 3 to a truck and we got maximum 10 minutes each. Just want to make sure you can shift with a small load of about 15k. I got on a dedicated route that rocked. Dallas-Reno-Sacramento-LA-Dallas. Loved most of it then I did good and they put me on Hunts Point Bronx NYC loads and wasnt too keen on those but money is money. Did you by any chance check with Transport America? They hire students and IMHO they were twice the company. Great DM's only downside was some of the Fed Ex loads.

 

Great thread, Everyone!

Hey Chinatown-- I'm not a trucker and am just beginning the preliminary investigation into trucking as my next career. I'm a single, 45-year-old male with no kids, so I have no need to be home. I'm based in North Texas. But I can go/move anywhere.

My short term goal is to get a CDL. Long term goal is to drive 8 months a year so I can play the rest of the year. I don't know. Is this even a thing that truckers do? I'm pretty clueless at this point, so forgive me if the question is naive.

I'm considering your recommendation of CTL. Do you have any advice you can offer me for this very early stage? Thank you and thanks everyone for the great info! RJ

 

Many truckers only work a few months a year then vacation in the Orient or somewhere. Many that post on here have homes overseas such as in Philippines or Thailand. Mine is in China.
CTL would be a good place to get started, then in a few months move to Trimac Transportation and make over $100K in their Elite Fleet.
Start doing cardiovascular excercises to improve heart rate. Most tanker outfits will require a "stair step" test then check heart rate. Schneider Bulk(tankers) is strict on this and no second chances. Schneider Bulk has excellent tanker training also and will sponsor your school.

 

That's good to know about the stair step test. And I like the idea of living in SE Asia! Chinatown, I've noticed that CTL and FFE have very poor reviews on glassdoor as places to work. Do you think those people make legitimate claims?

 

No, I don't think the claims are legitimate. The best company in the world will have complainers. I've worked for about 3 companies that I hated with a passion, but other drivers stayed there for a career and loved it.