hello all !!!

[newbie2828]

Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 1:53 am Post subject: hello all !!!

i am new around here and also thinking about getting into the trucking industry.i am in ohio just west of cleveland.i am thinking about going to a school out here for my training and to get my license.the name of the school is TDDS.i was wondering if anyone can tell me anything about this place?good,bad or otherwise.i can go there for 3 weeks of training and get my license and i have to sign on with a company out of the 3 choices for a year and they will pay for all of the training but $995 which i will have to repay $45 weekly.the training is $4995.then once i have done that i will go to the company and ride with a driver trainer for 6 weeks at $300 a week.all the companies start out at about .27 cents a mile after the 6 weeks some more some have signing bonuses etc. they all seem to have thier goods and bads like starting pay signing bonuses vacations etc.i was wondering if anyone could also tell me anything about any of these companies and how they are and who seems the worst to go to and the best.or if none of them are worth it.id really appreciate it.this is something i really wanna do.im 28 and i need a carreer not just a job and i wanna at least try this.its something ive wanted to do for a long time now.i think now is my time to make my move.i have noticed most companies are looking for 2 years experience minimum.i thought about just getting the license by myself but figure would have a hard time getting a job like that.so i figured the school thing would prolly be best for me.i think i can do it and really wanna do it but have alot of questions and concerns.here are the companies i can kinda choose from before i go and if they r willing to hire me.i am leaning towards p.a.m. with all the benefits and pay and such.just wanna get other peoples opinions on each.P.A.M. TRANSPORT,U.S.A. TRUCK,AND STAR TRANSPORT.Just have some questions about each.i tried to put some information from the brochures and stuff i got in my email on here but cant figure out how.any help is greatly appreciated.im sure i will have way more questions to come.THANK YOU.MIKE.

.i can go there for 3 weeks of training and get my license and i have to sign on with a company out of the 3 choices for a year and they will pay for all of the training but $995 which i will have to repay $45 weekly.the training is $4995.then once i have done that i will go to the company and ride with a driver trainer for 6 weeks at $300 a week.all the companies start out at about .27 cents a mile

Try to finance the cost of schooling yourself if you can.....

By the time these "training schools" get done with you, you'll be paying back a lot more then $4995.00....

There are many places that will start out a newbie at over 30 cents a mile.
If there is no way you can pay for this, then you are at their mercy.

[Trapper]

Have you checked out Millis transfer? They have a school in Ohio and I beleive you pay $500.00 upfront and if you drive for them for 1 year the rest of the tuition ($2000.00) is forgiven. Millis also starts out newbies at over 30 cents a mile. Sounds like a better deal than the other route.

Roehls school in Marshfield wisconsin is also cheaper than the one you're looking at. $2400.00. $2800.00 with lodging and they'll finance the $2400.00

Check out the tech schools and see what they charge. Don't just jump on the first school you see.

[newbie2828]

im definitely not jumping on the first school i see thats for sure.im trying to figure out what would be best for me and my situation.i have no job at the time and no money to be able to put up for the schooling.i can come up with some but not much.so my hands are kinda tied.but i am here asking u guys what u think so i can go in one direction or the other i dont wanna just settle with anything.i figure if i did this school thing and work for one of those companies for a year then got some experience i could go anywhere i would just have to deal with it for a year.but like i said in the same aspect i dont wanna settle for just anything.i am looking elsewhere that is just the first one i have come across that pays for pretty much everything--which i cant afford.and i found this site and i figured id ask around about all i find.

[Trapper]

I'm glad that you're checking out all options. Do you have the $500.00 down for the Millis school or Roehls school? You will have some out of pocket expenses no matter which way you go. Dot physical, books, transportation there and meals while training in school. You may want to look at Schneider as well.

Are you eligible for training grants through your job service? You are unemployed so you might want to check that out as well if you haven't already done it.

Good Luck.

[Big_Dave]

Some of these 'training companies' like Schneider, Swift will provide you with free training provided that you stay on with them for 1 year after you get your CDL.

I've heard that Schneider isn't too bad to work for.

[newbie2828]

thats what i need is like a schneider or swift.but i looked into it a while with swift and they wanted to hire me but everyone that i talked to kept saying no dont work for them.dont remember why but thats what they were all saying.i have done a lot of research and it seems like all the companies that will pay for your training start off people at about the same rates which is .27 cents a mile.is that too low to start?i figure i have my hands tied and have to go this route and will have to sign a year contract with any and will have to grin and bear whatever comes my way for that year.then i can move on if need be.i have read all the stuff i can on the 3 companies i named but would like to get some actual drivers from those companies opinions.i realize ever company is gonna have its goods and its bads.im willing to deal with that just wanna hear some opinions before i commit to any company.i might have to find a truck stop close and maybe watch for drivers from those companies and ask questions.but its kinda like i hate to bother them i understand they are always in a time crunch between working and sleeping and such,i hate to take up any of their time to ask questions.i just no longer will believe what the recruiter tells me now that ive heard a lot of people saying they promise u the world and u dont get close to it.i dont expect the world or even close but dont wanna be deceived.thanks for everyones help this site has been a HUGE help to me so far.any other thoughts or comments anyone else has im here to listen and learn.thank you all. mike.

[magicman]

Everyone has their own opinions about the "starter" companies. Swift, Schneider, Werner, etc all have been the brunt of many jokes.

I think the best way to make an informed decision in this matter is to do exactly what you're doing. ASK QUESTIONS. Many of us have years of experience in the industry, including working for companies as trainers.

I think paying $ 4500 for a school is not needed. There are companies that have schools available for little or nothing down. Yes, you have to remain with them for a year or so, BUT, look at it this way, if you spent several thousand dollars in salary to train someone to work for you and as soon as they got the required credentials, they left, you would be forced to do something similar. Make them sign a contract.

Also, you have to start somewhere, and you really do need to get at least one years experience to become a desirable driver for higher paying companies.

One other word of advice. You can be paid 40 cents per mile, but if you only get 1200 miles a week, it's worthless. Not only do you only make $ 480 that week, but you spend more money while you're laid over. You feel that you have to stay out, just to make enough money to get by on.

If you make 30 cents per mile, but you get 3000 miles a week and get through the house frequently, you're making $ 900 a week AND seeing the family regularly.

Personally, I like driving. I would rather make my 3000 miles a week if possible and then go home for a couple days. (NOTE: I'm an owner operator, leased onto Landstar, so I make all my own decisions on what I haul, where I haul and when I go home) As a company driver, you won't be afforded that privelege until you find the right company. They are out there, but you have to trip over them to find them. These companies don't do a lot of advertising, as they have no need to interview 100 drivers to get 20 that are qualified and then you end up with 2 you would ALLOW to drive your truck. Many of the GOOD companies advertise by word of mouth, using their drivers to find people they know that will fit in with the company. Those are USUALLY the best companies to drive for.

[newbie2828]

i totally agree with u i am better off not paying much for the school and signing the year contract so i can at least get the experience.seems to me like most companies around here want minimum of 2 years experience. so even if i did get my cdl on my own it really would do me no good.i also agree if i was a company and paid for the training and such id also want someone to sign a contract so i didnt pay all that money for them to just up and leave.i personally think no matter how i look at it my best bet is to go to a school paid for by a company for every reason u said.get my experience then move on to better if i dont like the company.i am gonna look into the p.a.m. dedicated and try to find a team driver to drive with me.i understand i am not gonna make all kinds of money doing this for my first year.but i figure once i get some experience i can go elsewhere or stay there and make some decent money.i will have some more questions im sure about everything.thanks for all the help and info everyone.any other thoughts or info i would greatly appreciate.i really appreciate it.mike.

[White Dog]

Three things to remember.

1). Stay away from USA Truck.

2). Use capital letters at the beginning of each sentence.

3). Use paragraphs when posting, makes for easier reading.

[sweet_whiskey]

Three things to remember.

1). Stay away from USA Truck.

2). Use capital letters at the beginning of each sentence.

3). Use paragraphs when posting, makes for easier reading.

WD!!!

Be nice to the newbie, one of these days "POW" right in the kisser. :yikes: :harhar:

I would stay away from Swift, the trainers are not trainers. The school they will send you to isn't really a good school. WD is right, USA isn't a good starter job.

Schneider is the best bet and although they will send you through a bunch of BS, the school is good. They will put you through a process (a long drawn out process), but well worth it in the end. I have talked to a few Schneider drivers and they still seem happy with their choice.

I would tell you to go to my company, they pay for tuition, room and board and your first license (not the second one). However, I am not on here to solicite my company like a hard drive lizard.

Now, I was in your shoes 3 years ago and I want to tell you a few things. When you decide on the company don't panic in school. Take the one on one training (if offered). Ask for more hours to drive and study the book.

Best of luck

[newbie2828]

I am still looking into a few different options for schooling and a company to go with.

May i ask what is the deal with usa truck that u guys say stay away?

I already marked them off my list of places to go but just wanna know what the deal is with them for future reference.

I had my chance to go to swift a while back and passed up the chance cause i heard so many bad things about them.

What is the name of your company your talking about and where is it located?I will look into it.Is there a website i can look at it on?

Well i wanna say thanks for all your info. and help guys.I really appreciate it.

Also is this post much easier to read then the rest?lol :D

I just like to type away and not worry about the capitals and punctuation and such. :)

[Big_Dave]

May i ask what is the deal with usa truck that u guys say stay away?
Hopefully White Dog will be around today to fill ya in. If he doesn't, maybe fire off a PM to him asking what the scoop is.

[White Dog]

Also is this post much easier to read then the rest?lol
Very much so; thank you.

By the way, Sweet Whiskey drives for Willis Shaw (they have a web site).

Two years ago next month I "attempted" to hire on with USA Truck (I usually don't drive for large companies, but did a thourough check on them and they appeared pretty decent).

From the very beginning they screwed things up.

Bus ticket: they had a ticket set up for me from some little town in Missouri (I live near Waterloo, IA.)---so I missed my departure in Waterloo while they straightened things out. Which made me leave the next day. Which made me miss a days orientation. Which forced me to start in the middle of an orientation, and run to the middle of the next group.

No breakfast at the hotel: the two hotels that USA put us in did not offer continental (or other) breakfast, so they offered breakfast (cereal, fruit etc...) at orientation. Which made class start 45 minutes to an hour late. Which drug class out till sometimes 6 pm. Which made things misserable for sure.

The shuttle from hotel to class: picture a mini-bus (like they use to pick-up and drop-off senior citezens at bingo), well, they made one trip---no matter how many people, no matter how many bags (on the last day).
Which packed us in like cattle. Which made things hot and sticky (and not the good way). Which really pissed everyone off. (and the hotel I stayed at was about 8 or 10 miles from class)

Background check: I bet I talked to "Brandy" in recruiting at least 15 times throughout the 8 or 9 months I was researching USA Truck.
Each time I would ask if they (USA) was o.k. with my two prior alcohol related offenses.
They said the DUI in 1990 was fine since it was almost 14 years old. And they said the Breath Test Refusal was o.k. since it was over 5 years old.

Well; after going through the greweling bus ride there, the obnouxious living conditions, the "give me a freak'n gun and one bullet" orientation process for 3 burning days in hell, they called me in the office and commenced to inform me that one offense was fine, and the other was fine too, but the two together made more than one in a life time :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko:and they were sending me home.

By that time I was more than glad to go, and found it to be a good thing that I left.

If they are that stupid and unorganized during "recruiting" process (when they should be trying to impress an experienced driver), what do you think they operations and pay roll processes are like!?

I have not even considered a large company since---I'll stick with driving for O/O's leased to small companies. I call my own shots and drive as though I own the truck.
You too can have that option after some experience.

[sweet_whiskey]

Thanks WD for adding your personal experience with everyone.

Newbie,

I will give you the link, but I really feel like a pimp momma now.

http://www.willisshaw.com/

Make sure you choose your choices very wisely. Alot of companies are very strict on idle and miles you run.

You are out here to work, you live in the truck. They want you to keep the idling down to a bare minimum. Alot of companies want you to freeze just to please them. WSE at least pays for idle air if you are a company driver, which is alot better then running your truck all night.

[newbie2828]

for all the info.I really appreciate the help.THANKS sharing your experience white dog.They sound like a joke.I will check out that site and company.I will keep u guys filled in on what im doing.Again thanks for all the help guys.Much appreciated.mike.

[bcordell]

I recently graduated from a Sage Truck Driving School and can tell you that they have a good program, also the way I got my training paid for was through a state ran funding program called JobLink, they paid for most of the training all I had to pay for was my permit, and actual CDL License once I passed the test. May want to check with your State to see if they have that type of program.

Me going that route I didnt have to worry about driving for a company for a year and I didnt have to worry about repaying a debt. I could/can sign with anyone that takes graduate student drivers.

Hope this helps ya out.