A few more questions from the newbie

[Mustbecrazy]

The only 3 companies that i can find that will cdl train me are Swift, Prime, and C.R.England if you where only given these three choices which
would you pick and why?

The other companies I have found that do cdl training wont train me because of where I live (northern New Mexico).

[Admin]

DID YOU TRY SCHNEIDER, THEY ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE.
YOU GO THERE FOR ONE WEEK AND YOU ARE DONE. :)

[Big_Dave]

Seriously, try Schneider or Roehl.

[Mustbecrazy]

I have talked to all the cdl training companies i can find including roehl schnieder crst and none of them will train because of the area I live in.

I seem limted to the three choices i mentioned which is a bummer Schnieder and roehl seem to have a much better program and are less hated by other drivers from what i can tell. LOL

[scubadiver]

of the 3 choices you have I would go with SWIFT.

[Skip Shift]

Don't base your decision on popularity. Base it on who has the best "walk away" policy and what it's going to cost you quit or leave early.

You have to entertaint the idea that trucking might not work out for you and in doing so, you have legal financial obligations to these (perhaps not all) companies for failure of completing your training and/or term limit you sign on for. Please make sure you FULLY understand your agreement before you get on the bus to the training facility.

If you do stay on long enough - say 2 weeks - and quit, you can kiss your paychecks goodbye, whatever they're holding will be forfeited in its entirety.

make sure you keep enough "pocket money" or a good credit card onhand if you get the urge to quit. don't expect any help to get home from the terminal you turn your truck in if you're "in the hole" with them over breeching your agreement. and for GOD SAKES don't abandon your truck, be a man and turn it in.

I'd say Roehl has the edge if you're still worried about getting slammed on the CB. you're gonna get exploited no matter what company you choose on that list, so make the smart choice that benefits you.

[Mustbecrazy]

I know I have been paying too much attention to the negitive press that all these companies recieve and have started tring to ignor most of it.

However I have found that FFE will cdl train me as well so my list has gotten a bit larger I was kind of trying to avoid reffers but FFE has a much better student to instrctor ratio then the others.

And I like what I hear from them more but would love some input from experianced drivers about their reputation and honesty.

Truley value all the help I am recieving on these forums.
Thanx Mustbecrazy

[White Dog]

Of the three I really only see one option.

Swift.

The other two will make your life miserable with ruthless tacked and shallow threats to join the Lease/Purchase programs they offer----wich will have you busted and in serious debt before you get 6 months out of the gate.

Should you refuse to join their L/P program, you will no doubt see your miles getting fewer and your home time evaporate to nill.

Go with Swift.

[Mustbecrazy]

I have based on my own reserch narrowed my possiablitys to eather Swift or FFE.

The diss advantages for swift are pay rate large training classes and haveing a hard time getting a few questions answered.

The Disadvantsges for FFE is that they are a reffer co. and I belive I will have a harder time getting home.

Any input is most appreciated.

Thanx
Mustbecrazy

[nitestar]

Well here is my imput.
If you are just starting out I suggest you do not go reefer.

You will have way too many things on your mind and you don't need to worry about temp and defrost and which temp do I use and is there fuel in the tank , do I fuel it now or later? Is the temp steady? is it defrosting?
what did I do with the thermometer?

Damit it took 11 hours to load and they want this in Atlanta by 0700 , can't do it and still get rest.

TOUGH
you will still have to deliver it.
why?
Because you are new and you want to impress the comapny. and you are afraid not to del it by 0700.
thats why.

Dispatch will tell you it is temp sentsitive and you MUST del it,
Blah Blah ad nauseum.

If you go for general freight you can always switch loads with another driver.( most always) Seldom is there a big rush on general frieght and you can manipulate your time and pretty much control your times.
Delivery times are mostly negotiable and dispatch doesn't get as upset .

If you read Big Daves posts you will see he has for the most part, del times. He has been doing this for a long time and has proven he is dependable and has the abilityy to fix most problems without upsetting the customer.

Please feel free to ask questions about anything in trucking.
We will do every thing we can to give you all sides to the questions.
You are new, You can't know all you need to know and we try to save you heartache by giving you as much information as we can to make your transition to trucking a painless and safe as posible.