information needed for greenwheel...aka, HELP

[superdave9]

I got my cdl. 3 weeks ago from roadmaster in Tampa Fl. It was very imformative and I learned a lot. The only negatives were too many students not enough instructors and the instuctors let you know about how the school is making lots of $ but they weren't getting enough to "deal" with the "extra work" and it sometimes showed with their patience level. I am not here to bash the school, my intensions were met; C.D.L. What I will pass on to the future schooler's is get as much driving time as possible by NOT missing a DAY, get the learners permit before the 1st day, get the computer b.s. done asap, and if any slacker does not want his/her turn-- YOU TAKE IT. Back to my point.... I allmost avoided the bottom feeders [covenant, star, swift, werner, which is all that came to the school] I had an appointment w/ werner because the lakeland terminal is very close, but cancelled with a phone call. After reading some very imformative threads[grateful] I have ordered a copy of my dac to make sure nothig was put on for cancelling orientation. First question; will any company that I will be applying for know about the co. previously applied to? Does every company pull your dac when you 1st apply? Will that affect the hiring process? And second, can anyone inform me of some smaller companies [in central FL. would be optimum] that will take a greeny? I want to do OTR and dont care if I am out 2 weeks or 52 weeks, I have come to the realization that this is what it takes and welcome the change it will bring me, as I am in need of one. I have researched on the web some companies such as armellini, LCT, kennesaw, ozark, MCT, roehl, CTI, but all of these promises for a "better" company start sounding as if they are all wrote by the same used car salesman. If ANYONE can type me some words about actual/realtime advice I am all eyes. Much oblige.

[dle]

You set an orientation date with Werner aka The Blue Screw but then decided to not show up. Smart man. I don't think you will have to worry about your DAC being messed with, but since you already ordered it -- it won't hurt.

[Uturn2001]

You won't or should not have anything on your DAC report because you canceled orientation. If you did this would be easily contested since you were never an employee of any kind with them.

[Fozzy]

Sounds like you are just afraid of work...

[inmate1577]

Wont go on your DAC because you were never employed by Werner and Werner doesn't care either.

Try SNI if your are looking for a good starter company that stresses safety and strictly following the rules.

After a year's experience you can write your own ticket to any company you want.

But you have to start somewhere and you basically have no experience.

[superdave9]

Dle, u-turn, and inmate, thanks for the help and advice. Would any of you know if the companies I will be applying at will have any knowledge of the past companies I applied with? Will this affect me in any way? And fozzy, I am definitely not "afraid of work", just trying to find a reputable starter company and not a lame one that I might regret. Sorry if I hit a nerve with naming some of the so called bottom feeders. I am aware that they [co.s] aren't ALL bad for EVERYbody I am just trying to get as much information as possible before I choose :? Inmate.... what does SNI stand for and do you have the web address? Thanx for all replies, good day.

[ronjon619]

SNI is Schenider

[dle]

If you applied at a Kroger, would Jack In The Box know that you applied there? I seriously seriously doubt it.

[superdave9]

Dle, I pretty much figured they could not, but reading/hearing about how companies that you apply for pull your dac, this would show what companies you applied at. Wrong? Right? That was why I asked, because I am new to this profession and need all the help from the "super truckers" as I can get. I am pretty sure :idea: that Kroger or Jack in the Box does not check your dac, unless of course you are driving a rig for them.

[dle]

The only times that the DAC would get involved at least from what I am aware of:

1) you go to orientation and you fail the Drug Test
2) you are employed by the company
a) you have an accident
b) you abandon equipment
c) you get terminated
d) you quit

I am pretty sure there are more specific things that would cause the DAC to be updated, but they are probably more company specific.

I wouldn't sweat much more about it, pick up the phone and start calling companies or use the features of class a and start applying.

[superdave9]

Dle, thanks again for the help. I was wondering if there is another way of getting the dac report other than mailing away for it, which has been 11 mailing days since I mailed for it, and still has not came #*%#! I did call on monday[10/29], it took about 15 mins. to actually get a "live" person, and ask if they could find out WHERE or IF the dac report had been processed to mail. I was told it was " in the outgoing box" that afternoon. My mail has come today,11-01, still no dac. Question,..... Is there any other way to get the dac report any faster with a pay provider/company that specializes in this type of service?

[Skywalker]

If you are in possession of your CDL, and you have looked at a number or companies....why is it that you haven't considered CFI? They are much better than the bulk of them out there....and you would not go through the training period as half of a "cheap team". You might want to look into them.

Yes, they were recently bought by Con-Way....but the feedback I am getting from some of my friends there is that things are going just fine. I drove for them for 7 years, and left for purely family/personal reasons...nothing they did.

Now on the other hand....if you are interested in doing something besides hauling a reefer or a box... You might want to call CTL...the chemical tanker division of CCC. They are located in Mulberry, FL.... You could break in to tanker work (chemical) and make as much or more money driving fewer miles than with a box, flat, or reefer. Chemical tanker drivers get paid for things others only "dream about". 8)

But you'd best get on the stick....if you let too much time lapse, it may become a problem getting hired.

[mike3fan]

Chemical tanker drivers get paid for things others only "dream about". 8)

You chemical drivers get paid to sleep with the Olsen twins?

[superdave9]

Skywalker, thanks for the reply. Where is the nearest terminal, for CFI, that I would go to for orientation? Also, with CCC, do they hire recent grads? My long term goal is to get my year OTR experience then I am going to apply with Progress Energy, which is a power company that my brother in-law is a regional manager with, hopefully driving tankers. I did not think any tanker co. hired newbies. I definitely would rather go into tankers 1st. Also do you know of any other way of getting dac report other than "snail-mail"? Mike3Fan...... Olsen Twins?????? Combined weight = 185 dripping wet, and you have probably got bigger boobs than them. But if you got some coke they probably would be fun for a couple of hours......... I mean minutes and BE SURE to wrap tightly!!! :twisted:

[Skywalker]

Chemical tanker drivers get paid for things others only "dream about". 8)

You chemical drivers get paid to sleep with the Olsen twins?

No, but then again...I do get paid to sleep in the truck!

[Skywalker]

Skywalker, thanks for the reply. Where is the nearest terminal, for CFI, that I would go to for orientation?

The nearest terminal for you to go to for your advanced training would be Joplin, MO.... but they will, I believe pay your way there. If you call Christine in Recruiting (1-800-641-4748) and talk to her, she can outline it for you.

Also, with CCC, do they hire recent grads? My long term goal is to get my year OTR experience then I am going to apply with Progress Energy, which is a power company that my brother in-law is a regional manager with, hopefully driving tankers. I did not think any tanker co. hired newbies. I definitely would rather go into tankers 1st. Also do you know of any other way of getting dac report other than "snail-mail"? Mike3Fan...... Olsen Twins?????? Combined weight = 185 dripping wet, and you have probably got bigger boobs than them. But if you got some coke they probably would be fun for a couple of hours......... I mean minutes and BE SURE to wrap tightly!!! :twisted:

CCC will hire newbies, and CTL...their tanker company will also. They train drivers.

I know of no other way to get a copy of your DAC other than snailmail, unless you can get ahold of the one that a company requests electronically. DAC/USIS requires you to prove by physical evidence to them that you are you.....to protect your identity and them as well.

[superdave9]

Skywalker, I am going to contact Christine @ CFI and get all the details tomm. I have read a lot of good threads about them and if someone else that is working w/ them I would like to hear all, good and bad. The CTL division of CCC sounds very interesting though because my intrests are with tankers, do you know any recruiters/numbers w/them? Do tankers get as many miles as the vans? Do you get more cpm's because of this or because of the danger/hazmat aspect? Is there plenty of work/miles to be had? Can you direct me to more threads about tanker work/ co.s/general info? Again... thanks.

[Skywalker]

Here is a link for CTL...their main terminal is in Mulberry, FL... near Bartow.

http://www.drivectl.com/ 1-888-285-5627 ask for Judy. Not sure if she is still there, but I dealt with her...and she is a straight shooter.

This link is to their terminals:

http://www.drivectl.com/index.cfm?fa=locations

They DO TRAIN new drivers to drive tankers... 8)

Now...here's where you need to alter your thinking process 8) :shock: 8) When it comes to "Chemical Tankers"....understand that "it is not about the miles"... Chemical tanker drivers get paid for many things that van, flatbed, reefer, and food grade tanker drivers do not get paid for.

For instance.... I worked a short week last week...and only drove 1710 miles. My gross check was $904.34. In order for a van driver to make that much....@ 35 cpm they would have to drive 2583 miles. So when you think about "Chemical Tankers"....we do not need to "get as many miles", because its not necessary. In fact....if I have to sit for 7 days straight without a load.... I will still make $744.80 for the week. 8)

How much would you get for a week of inactivity if you drove a van?

Generally speaking....most, I repeat "most" van, reefer, flatbed, and food grade tanker drivers rely on "miles" for the 95-99% of their income.

If you haven't read Cyanide's tanker information for ya'll thread...take some time and do it. He outlines the pay rates from all the tanker companies, both Chemical and Food Grade tankers. Tons of good information there.