Time to un-retire...

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by RWLstuffjunk, Sep 2, 2021.

  1. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    FAIR WARNING: In a pinch -- &/or in/near urban areas -- you can park safely & legally (& away from the trucking herd) -- if you start off with a fleet that has the most terminals & dropyards.

    In addition to safer parking, terminals usually offer you access to:
    • company hot showers
    • truck &/or trailer maintenance/repair
    • cooked-to-order meals
    • laundry facilities
    • company vehicles -- for nearby grocery/pharmacy runs
    • and other handy perks

    Those fleets would be: Swift....or Schneider.

    This advantage is especially handy....when you are new and learning the ropes in trucking.

    With that said -- generally speaking, freight right now is actually pretty slow....& thus I suggest you apply to both, & take what you can get.

    Also: if you were an officer in the military -- you will very likely experience serious "culture shock" in the reefer world; shippers & receivers will often treat you like a stray animal (NO respect), & your pickups & deliveries will be all over the clock (& thus -- say "good bye" to any regular sleep schedule; be sure to learn "split-sleeper" & "personal conveyance" well, before running any reefer loads). That's why reefer pays good!!! o_O

    Been there....seen ALL that. :rolleyes:

    Anyway....just think about it.

    Bonus points: if you talk to some drivers currently running those loads -- before signing up.

    -- L
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2024
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  3. born&raisedintheusa

    born&raisedintheusa Road Train Member

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    2 things that I wish for you:
    1)
    that you regain full eyesight in the eye that went blind
    2) that your good eye continues to have & maintain full eyesight

    God bless you and your entire family!

    God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A..

    The absolute sheer driving force of our national economy - without truck drivers, our entire national economy would come to an absolute standstill - if not outright be dead.
    [​IMG]
    Over the mountains, through the woods, into the valleys, coast to coast, from sea to shining sea - truck drivers can and do go anywhere and everywhere, every day, every night, all year round.
     
  4. RWLstuffjunk

    RWLstuffjunk Bobtail Member

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    Thanks IH Truck Guy, really appreciate it. Do you happen to have experience with them? I seem to recall reading somewhere on the board that they prioritize cleanliness of the truck vice learning to drive it. Not a bad thing necessarily and I understand the philosophy.

    Yes, still in MO, but I have a bit of flexibility for basing if needed hence the question about other companies. I'll definitely look at the other companies that have been suggested.

    I heard back from WTD, but had a hard time understanding the lady who called and she seemed confused on whether there were any openings for students at the Cabool school. Seem to have outsourced some of the recruiting. Not a deal breaker for certain, but it makes one wonder who might answer when a newbie has a problem and calls for some help on the road.
     
  5. RWLstuffjunk

    RWLstuffjunk Bobtail Member

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    Thanks lual, appreciate the insight. When I asked a few years back, the number of terminals didn't seem to be as much of a consideration but it sounds like times have changed? Do you think that you end up at a terminal on most days if the company has a bunch throughout the country? Do you think that would also imply a higher likelihood of being sent to more areas of the country vice being assigned a dedicated lane? And copy all on talking to some reefer drivers before signing on the dotted line. Good call!
     
  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    You'll rarely be at a terminal. If you're not local, you'll do your 10 hr. breaks at truckstops where you can shower, eat meals, relax, fuel the truck.
    I pulled reefers for 18 years and hazmat tankers for 5 years and rarely saw a terminal except the home terminal. Only time I saw a terminal, other than the home terminal, was to do a trailer swap. Maybe 10 times my whole career. When I pulled dry van and flatbed, it was the same.
    I didn't do dedicated lanes either because they're boring. I took whatever the dispatcher would throw at me. I saw more of the country and was usually the top paid driver. I was the top paid driver because I ran more miles. The CPM and accessorial pays were the same as the other drivers.
     
  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Prime Inc. refrigerated division is a good company for cdl school.
    They're a 48 state carrier and you'll probably see them all.
    The equipment is top-notch also.
    CDL school is in Springfield, MO
    [​IMG]
     
  8. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    SW Georgia
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    Speak for yourself.

    When at Schneider -- I frequently used/visited terminals/dropyards, because:

    • The locations were usually super convenient (because they had a lot of them) -- & the parking was free, & safer than at truck stops
    • The cooked food at the deli had better pricing (& flavors)
    • I didn't have to wait for a shower
    • I could talk to the shop about truck/trailer issues, without having to wait -- or later fussing with the red tape for the repairs
    • the company cars made it handy/easy to go shopping, or get something to eat
    • and so on....

    -- L
     
  9. wifi_guru

    wifi_guru Medium Load Member

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    primes a dumpster fire right now!!! and it seems they want to go all lease drivers and do away with company drivers!!! no thanks!!! i won't pay someone elses bills nor fund there lifestyle if that is the case now... i will have to find out more!!!
     
  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    I am speaking for myself with 25 yrs. OTR experience.
    Also, I never encourage anyone to start a career with dry van, unless money isn't a problem with them. Why start out at the bottom if there's other choices.
     
  11. drivingmissdaisy

    drivingmissdaisy Road Train Member

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    China mentioned never going to your terminals. I run OTR and I hit our terminals regularly, but not for lengthy periods. We do drop and hooks there, maintenance, dropping off paperwork, swapping out my tablet (did that a few days ago) grabbing a quick fill of DEF, getting the 5th wheel greased, etc.

    I don't know how he only went 10 times in his career. I'm almost never at our terminal and I am there usually once every 2-3 weeks for something. I also bump our other smaller terminals around the country regularly.
     
    RWLstuffjunk Thanks this.
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