Considering truck driving. NEED HELP!

[VegetableMan]

Well, I'm considering getting a job in truck driving. But I'm sort of concerned. I saw an ad in the paper that a company was hiring and training new truck drivers. So I called the number, and they gave me directions to stop by at. So I stopped by, and the place wasn't the name mentioned in the ad. It was a truck driving school. So anyway, I went ahead and filled in an application, and I should get a call really soon to let me know if I've been accepted to start taking classes.

Anyway, that's not what concerns me. At no point did I ever get to speak to the business who was mentioned in the ad. I understand that I need to be trained and licensed, and I understand that the company might hire that job out to the trucking school. However, every single piece of paper that I filled out seemed to be attached to the school and not the company that's supposed to be hiring me.

Is this common, or am I getting gypped? I really want the job, but I'm wondering if there IS NO company wanting to hire me, just a driving school that found an effective way of getting people to enroll.

And don't get me wrong, even if that is the case, that wouldn't be so bad. With the license and the training, I could probably get a trucking job anyway. But I can't afford to really wait for a job. The classes last three weeks, and I'd have to quit my jobs to take them. And while I'm not broke ass broke, my impression is that I'm not going to be paid to take the classes. And I can't really afford to spend 3 weeks with no income just to get a license and no job. License AND job? Fine. But just the license isn't going to cut it.

Anyway, I don't have a whole lot of idea about what practices are common in the trucking industry, so I was hoping someone here could enlighten me on the subject.

Also, the school is the Truck Driving Institute in Milton, FL, and the company that's going to hire me is Werner (Enterprises or Industries), or something like that. Does anyone know anything about this school and this company? Are they on the level?

[devildice]

I HIGHLY recommend that you do some research before you quit your job and get into "trucking". RESEARCH....RESEARCH....RESEARCH.....then and only then, if you feel it is something you want to do, do some more RESEARCH

[One]

too many drivers declared bankrupcy within 6 mos of going over the road....Theres lots of threads here like yours- look for them and research a lot. Most of the info is in these forums, GL

[REXRACER]

I HIGHLY recommend that you do some research before you quit your job and get into "trucking". RESEARCH....RESEARCH....RESEARCH.....then and only then, if you feel it is something you want to do, do some more RESEARCH

I'll echo what this guy said! I'm a noob too and considering this too and I am really glad I found this sight, there is an unbelievable amount of good info here as well as profiles on all the major companies and linkage to apply to them all.

From what I've learned so far there's like three ways to a get on w/ a company as a rookie driver:

1). You can find a company that will hire you and does it's own training but then you will be obligated to drive for that company for like a year or 18 mos or you'll be obligated to pay back the cost of training if you leave early. From what I can tell Schneider would be an example of this system

2). You can get prequalified by a company and then they will send you to a local training program and pay for part or all of the cost. If you pass the training and all of the other screening the company you pre-qualified for will then bring you on as a driver. As above, you'll then be obligated to a certain length of service but it maybe shorter time than above. Seems like Werner and Millis are examples of this system.

3). You can go to a local training program on your own dime and get your license. Then you can use the shotguen aproach ( like on this site ) to apply to any company you want and obviously you'll have little or no commitment or obligation.

That's what I've learned so far so I hope it helps. Hopefully others will add more or correct what I've said if it isn't completely accurate.

[VegetableMan]

Thanks, everybody, you've all been a big help!

I'm seeing a lot of negative talk about Werner. I'd really love to try driving a truck, and I think I'd love it, but some of the stories I'm seeing about Werner are sort of eye-opening. I think maybe I should wait and see if I can find a better company to work for.

[One]

As a general rule: the more a co. advertizes, the higher the turn-over rate- the higher the driver dissatisfaction.....

[syl77dar]

goodluck

[Longsnowsm]

Thanks, everybody, you've all been a big help!

I'm seeing a lot of negative talk about Werner. I'd really love to try driving a truck, and I think I'd love it, but some of the stories I'm seeing about Werner are sort of eye-opening. I think maybe I should wait and see if I can find a better company to work for.

Excellent! We didn't have to beat you up or anything! Werner is not one of the better companies to work for. Depending on where your located and what you want to haul(flats, reefer, van) you can a good company.

Keep digging and you will figure out pretty fast who the bottom feeder companies are and to avoid them.

Longsnowsm

[Sealord]

First off, there's no guarantee any company will hire a driving school graduate. A school recruiter shouldn't say that. The hiring doesn't happen until after orientation and NEWB OTR training is complated.
It's not uncommon for a newb not to be paid while in training. An exception is Schneider where newbs start getting paid after the first two weeks, I think.
Compare the training at Truck Driving Institute in Milton with the training you'll get at Washington-Holmes Tech School (community college) in your area.
There's no reason to pay the TDI tuition when you may get trained paying way less money, or none, at Washington-Holmes. http://www.firn.edu/schools/washington/whtech/ BOL

[classicxl]

There is nothing wrong with Werner Ent that is not wrong with any other large company on the road. Not all companies are right for all people and someone will always have negative things to say about one company or another. Werner is a training company like any other big company and until you prove yourself you will be just a truck number just like any other big company. Do research talk to drivers at truckstops and make your own decision dont let anyone make the decision for you

[syl77dar]

good luck cuz you will be only making $150 a week, werner prefers their veteran drivers and don't care about new drivers they don't care if you starve or freeze to death. their trucks automatically go off every 3 hours in cold no matter what! i had a trainer who worked 4 werner and got the joy of almost freezing 2 death in her truck at -70 degrees below zero in montana caught between dispatcher and road break down who literally left her to die. truth.

[BIG JEEP on 44's]

Werners' drivers, trainers etc have a 95% of log violations! Come to CRST only an 8 month contract for school! Here call Tom, recruiter at 1-800-553-2778 give him my name Sylvia Fichtner and email me at syl77dar@yahoo.com and I will give you more info 2 give Tom.

Stay AWAY FROM CRST.unless you and your wife are going to be running as a team on the truck...STAY AWAY from CRST.........THE GOLD RUSH.........FOOLS GOLD.....

AND...always be cautious of other drivers that try to recruit you ...They make $$$$$ when they recruit other drivers for their company....I know drivers that HATED their company ..And were just biding their time ,But thought nothing of SUCKERING another driver into the same crap company to get 250...500...1000 for recruiting a new driver ...

[BIG JEEP on 44's]

good luck cuz you will be only making $150 a week, Werner prefers their veteran drivers and don't care about new drivers they don't care if you starve or freeze to death. their trucks automatically go off every 3 hours in cold no matter what! i had a trainer who worked 4 Werner and got the joy of almost freezing 2 death in her truck at -70 degrees below zero in montana caught between dispatcher and road break down who literally left her to die. truth.

SMOKES GETTING THICK IN HERE.........

Look I have driven for Werner for 14 months ,and yes there are better paying companies....No Werner does not give special treatment to senior drivers over NEWBS....What they do however is give the best freight to Student trainers.....which you can be after 3 months on your own as long as your accident free ....


And no Werner's trucks do...NOT...shut off there are no restrictions on idle..I should know..I idle my truck non-stop ..shutting it off only to pre-trip.....

What next are going to tell him if he go's over his HOS his truck will shut down in the middle of the G.W. BRIDGE....... :wink:


70 below in Montana ........maybe you GF had GELLED fuel from poorly treated fuel.....Or some other mechanical trouble...But it wasn't Werner shutting her heat off in 70 below weather.....You can't tell me that CRST does not have mechanical failure on their trucks...And I bet it's more often than Werner's ..as CRST does not have the resources Werner does equipment wise....


As for making $150 a week....Yes Werner's pay is low...NOT $150 low ....I make between 600-800 ,,yeah not real great ..But far better than $150.00 ....If your making 150.00 at Werner you won't make money at any trucking company ,as if your only making $150.00 something is wrong with the driver not just the company...


I have spoken to tons of drivers for..... CRETE...CFI..CRST...KNIGHT...SWIFT....SCHNEIDER... J.B.Hunt...CR.England.... Covenant..And many other Werner drivers ( think Covenant is a sister company of KNIGHT ).....And many others.....


Here's my top 3.. after talking to ..NON DRIVER recruiters...for pay miles..quality equipment....This list is for drivers with 1 yr or less experience..as with 2 yrs or more the field of choices is much larger....


1.Crete
2.CFI
3.Knight....... A distanst questionable 3rd

[Tilar]

good luck cuz you will be only making $150 a week, werner prefers their veteran drivers and don't care about new drivers they don't care if you starve or freeze to death. their trucks automatically go off every 3 hours in cold no matter what! i had a trainer who worked 4 werner and got the joy of almost freezing 2 death in her truck at -70 degrees below zero in montana caught between dispatcher and road break down who literally left her to die. truth.

Probably a lot of he said, she said crap right there, because I can assure you that unless you hold your paperwork, you will make more than that a week.

I'm with Big Jeep on this one.... My checks run anywhere from 600 to 800 net consistantly, short of the weeks that I take a few days off for hometime, and then they will be in the $400 range.

[Maximum Destruction]

Schneider has decent pay for when your going through schooling. They will feed you morning and night but not dinner. They will let you use a company car. Sounds good to me and your hotel is payed for

[Skywalker]

SMOKES GETTING THICK IN HERE.........

Uh-huh.... I agree.

I have spoken to tons of drivers for..... CRETE...CFI..CRST...KNIGHT...SWIFT....SCHNEIDER... J.B.Hunt...CR.England.... Covenant..And many other Werner drivers ( think Covenant is a sister company of KNIGHT ).....And many others.....

Here's my top 3.. after talking to ..NON DRIVER recruiters...for pay miles..quality equipment....This list is for drivers with 1 yr or less experience..as with 2 yrs or more the field of choices is much larger....

1.Crete
2.CFI
3.Knight....... A distanst questionable 3rd

Being somewhat biased (imagine that.... :shock: ) I can honestly say that I personally think that CFI is the king of the hill....and for those that are curious .... you can search this site for the keywords: CFI and Skywalker, and you will easily find out why I am so biased..