West Michigan CDL

If you're still active here, let me know what you think. My recruiter said that because I was from Western Michigan and had a passport, I would be a real catch for them because I can cross the border.

Also, I live here and will most likely be starting with Stevens, but I still have not decided whether to go to their driving academy or pay for WMCDL, which I can afford. Any thoughts?

<Actually, Pagan22 probably is not active anymore; his last "seen" date was in July. As I write this, it's the middle of September, but maybe another Stevens Michigander has input. We'll see.>

 

No longer with Stevens, actually have a local gig now. I had a lot of problems just getting home from my training. I ended up renting a car and driving home from Tenn. They do have the gig going to Canada but understand there are many others from Mich that also want to try and do this. What I have found is they will typicaly have someone running back and forth accross the boarder (dedicated) and they will have loads come up to the Detroit area and then repower to the dedicated person. Not Saying Stevens is a bad company cause they do a good job training. This is what they are is a training company, but my recruiter did what he was paid to do - get me to sign on with Stevens. Most everything he told me was a full out lie or only half the truth.
So it comes down to making a commitment to getting the experiance and training and then picking a company that suits your needs. A lot of good companys in the Grand Rapids area to hook up with after you get a year or so of OTR. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the feedback. While I'm interested in a 48-state OTR slot and really don't need that much hometime, what with being single and living alone, I WILL need to be here once in a while. I figured that Stevens doesn't get up here much; they're about the only national company I haven't seen on the freeway outside my office (I-96) and I do know the first 12 months or so is pretty much a crap shoot no matter which training company I work for. Getting good, solid experience next year is the key.

After that, perhaps ALTL will hire me. They've already expressed an interest after I "have some experience." Or Gainey...well, to be accurate, they're owned by Super Service now. And by then, I'll have a better idea of what I want to do in front of 80,000 of bananas. Heck, maybe I'll even qualify to drive one of those 40-wheeled, Michigan ore hauler monsters and pull 160,000 pounds!

We'll see. Thanks for your input and I wish you continued success. Perhaps we will meet one day "out there."

 

I'd stay away from Gainey. They are a bottom feeder.

 

Their SMS numbers are really bad, but it's probably a result of the bankruptcy. My admin assistant's son is a trainer for them, but I wouldn't even consider them for at least a year or until I'm more confident that they've worked through whatever they need to and come out the other side looking like a place I would want to work.

 

Yeah from what i heard Pegan22 is looking to leave stevens. Me i went to WMCDL and found a local company that does regional. But WMCDL was a good school.

 

I took my written test at the secretary of state today and past. Now my physical and then school. I'm looking at West Michigan CDL. Athough I won't be able to take class for a few weeks, I thought I would get the ball rollin now.

I've been reading all the great information here and I want to personally thank all of you for helping us newbies. Thanks again, JL