Well its official

[GMAN]

I buy a new Rand McNally Atlas about every 2 years. Things don't usually change that much during that time. If you buy at the end of the current year you can save quite a bit on the price.

[Windwalker]

Why are those your only options? There are MANY more out there.

JMHO...

Maverick - Ok. Most likely the best choice out of the whole list.
Swift - HAHAHAHAHA
Werner - HAHAHAHAHAHA
PAM or any of their subdivisions(decker etc.) - HAHAHAHAHAHA
USA - HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Schneider - Not the best, not the worst but there is a reason they're always looking to put bodies in the seats.
Crete - Not bad if you dont mind being gone for 3+ weeks at a time with a barebones truck.
Prime - HAHAHAHAHAHA
Transport America - Not the worst, certainly not the best.

Look at more options. You really havent heard by now about how bad Werner, Prime, USA, Swift are?? Do more searching. It'd be a shame to see someone fall victim to half of the companies you have listed.

I've been hearing rumblings that they are looking at going LEASE/PURCHASE in order to get out from under the cost of fuel. Also heard that they are considering going over to small fleet owners with up to 20 trucks each for the same reason. Don't know if it's all true or not, but it might affect you as a driver.

[bigpapa7272]

which company or companies were you referring to in your reply???

was it the highlighted ones?

thanks

[Trukrswyfe]

is it worth it to gt my hazmat?

Why not your there, it doesn't hurt you but if you ever need it and don't have it.
You should get it.

[freebird]

i like millis, i just dont want to have to go to a 3 week school with after completing a 10 week school. But if thats an option i'll take it.

What you'll learn in school will be minimal and fairly sanitary.
Three weeks (or whatever) in the real world is where you will really be learning!
Like late nights, long miles, trip planning, sleeping conditions, shippers/receivers and four wheelers just to name a few!

[chubyboy]

did i go to one of only a few of schools that run 100+ plus trips, all road types, and trip planning? that should be covered in all schools...im with what my instuctor says, which is to get these fly by night, and/or quickie "schools" out of business...like the ones who only give you a single axle tractor and 27 foot trailer to "learn" with...i learned 99% by driving full size, sleeper cab tractors woth 53 foot van trailers.

I went to Alexandria Technical College, Alexandria, MN, highly regarded in the industry and highly reccomended by myself.

[Useless]

If you are going to get into trucking in today's economy, then for God's sake,
DO IT RIGHT!!

Your BEST choice??

Sign on as a Fleece Operator for

C.R. ENGLAND!!!
:P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P

[bigpapa7272]

hey useless i hope you are joking. the only good thing about the england fleece purchase is the $1.25 a gallon gas

I went and signed the enrollment agreement today at north american trade schools and completed financial aid. I have orientation on friday at 9am woooo hoo. It felt great after leaving school enrolled for the class, I am excited to start and cant wait to document my chronicles at school for you guys.

[Useless]

hey useless i hope you are joking. the only good thing about the england fleece purchase is the $1.25 a gallon gas

I went and signed the enrollment agreement today at north american trade schools and completed financial aid. I have orientation on friday at 9am woooo hoo. It felt great after leaving school enrolled for the class, I am excited to start and cant wait to document my chronicles at school for you guys.

Actually, BigPapa,

It's not a fleece PURCHASE program...... it's a Fleece OPERATOR program........ you'd never own the truck.

Not that it really matters...... if Dolly Parton had been a driver for C.R. England, she'd be FLAT BUSTED too!!

BTW, Congrats on getting the wheels turning, and BOL2U!! 8) 8)

[bigpapa7272]

well i went to the wonderful MD MVA to get my learners permit reissued sinc eit expired back in late june. I start taking the tests on the computer, ( as much as i love computers in general i hate the damn touchscreen computers at DMV) No way to double check your answers I took the general knowledge test and passed that, passed air brake with flying colors, took combination entered the wrong answer and couldnt change it and fail combo by 1 question , kinda ticked me off, They let me take the tanker and doubles and triples even though i missed the combo. Tanker I passed with much ease as it asked me the same question 4 different times in a round of 20 questions. Doubles and triples also missed by one question. Gonna read the book tonight and I should be good to go in the morning. I would say I retained the information pretty well since the last time i read the md cdl drivers manual was back in december.

Well wish me luck, and it will be refreshing already have my permit when i go to school. So when they have all the others go get their permit I will have an afternoon off to myself.

[harleypiper]

well maverick has the best starting pay I've seen for noobs.

I don't buy theinsurance excuse theres companies that will take drivers with worse records. everyone is an insurance risk in my book

Have you thought of pulling a tanker.

When I trained, I was put up in a hotel every night, no sleeping in a truck with trainer. $100.00/day training. Paid travel to and from orientaion. Paid hotel in orientaion and it's all been uphill from there.

[bigpapa7272]

yeah ive thought about hauling a tanker, i have the tanker endorsement on my learners permit.
got any suggestions?

[ohio joe]

BIG PAPA DONT KEEP APPLYING TO THE SAME COMPANIES! WAIT TILL U START SCHOOL PUT THE APPS. IN @ SCHOOL. I KNOW SOME CO. WILL TURN U DOWN IF U KEEP APPLYING AND NEVER ACCEPT THEIR OFFER IF GIVEN ONE!!!! GOOD LUCK PRIME INC. NEEDS YOU!!! :shock:

[bigpapa7272]

thanks ohio joe for the advice, I only applied at schneider and prime again before I decided to go locally when I tried to call and check status and sat on hold for long periods of time it frustrated me and that's when I decided to go locally to school. I figured that when I start applying while in school and the companies know im on my to my cdl it will be easier to get an offer. ill hold off applications to companies probably until week 3 of school

[bigpapa7272]

Hey everyone:

check out my truckingschool blog at http://bigmiketruckschoolandjob.blogspot.com/

i'll be posting there quite frequently through out my schooling at north american trade schools. I'll take the camera with me when I go to the range and take pictures for you guys