First time company

[inbdusfor20yrs]

I know this topic was asked in the past, but I will ask again.. lol

I plan on going to Roadmaster training in Indianapolis from October to November and I am paying for the class myself which means I am not locked in to a specific company.

Can anyone recommend a good company to join? I have been looking at TMC and they said they can send me a packet once I start school, so that's one option. People say it is run like the Military and they expect their equipment to stay up to standards. I am retired Army so I would rather work for a company that expects standards to be kept. I also do not mind the hard work (Tarping, chaining, etc)..

Are there any other companies that are good for new drivers?

Thanks everyone in advance for their help!!

Oh, I forgot to add that I am a loner and very unsociable, which means even thinking of team driving is making me uncomfortable.. So I would like info on driving alone.. lol

[repete]

Welcome aboard and thanks for your service. As far as driving solo that won;t be a problem WHEN you get your own truck. After you get you CDL and before your get a truck you will spend some where between 2-12 weeks with a trainer That may be the hardest part for you. As far as flat beds I have no advice other than if it's not written down it didn't happen! (Army , you know) Don't limit yourself to just flats unless that's what you really want. Check out Crete , I hear there paying new drivers after 1yr .42 cpm. I do know they've been good to me.

[cdswans]

. . Don't limit yourself to just flats unless that's what you really want . .

Ditto what repete said. I'm not aware of any restrictions against tarping a dry van or reefer load. Chaining would be tough but you could strap the hell out of them.

[1catfish]

I know this topic was asked in the past, but I will ask again.. lol

I plan on going to Roadmaster training in Indianapolis from October to November and I am paying for the class myself which means I am not locked in to a specific company.

Can anyone recommend a good company to join? I have been looking at TMC and they said they can send me a packet once I start school, so that's one option. People say it is run like the Military and they expect their equipment to stay up to standards. I am retired Army so I would rather work for a company that expects standards to be kept. I also do not mind the hard work (Tarping, chaining, etc)..

Are there any other companies that are good for new drivers?

Thanks everyone in advance for their help!!

Oh, I forgot to add that I am a loner and very unsociable, which means even thinking of team driving is making me uncomfortable.. So I would like info on driving alone.. lol

since you have the funds to pay for classes, why not spend your money on something other than a dead end trucking job. like learning a trade with some room for advancement.if you have 10 years trucking you'd have the same as a newbie fresh out school. but if you had 10 years at an acredited trade you'd be much further along in life. but the world always need's ditch diggers. it's in the hole.

[inbdusfor20yrs]

Thank you guys for the help.

I am not 100% on going flatbeds, but when I researched some companies online in general, TMC looked good. Their drivers were mostly happy with the company compared to other company's where people felt like they were being ripped off. Most of the other drivers for other companies would say to stay away from their company and they wouldn't go to a specific company if their life depended on it.

I know I won't start making money until I get my own truck and I am willing to do the time with a trainer. I will check out Crete to see how they look and what they have to offer.

[inbdusfor20yrs]

Well I checked with Crete, and the problem is that I plan on going to Roadmaster driving school in Indianapolis and they do not recruit students from there. The reason, is that students do not get enough training hours at that school. I respect that decision because their main goad is safety. He did say TMC was a good company. LOL.

[inbdusfor20yrs]

I checked with Roadmaster training and I will have to pay upfront for the class. The GI Bill will pay me back for just the three weeks I am there, so out of pocket I will pay about $3,000. The good news is that there are two companies that have an apprentice program. The GI Bill will pay me up to two years while I am driving, plus the companies will pay me back the tuition I spent for the class. The two that use the apprentice program and TMC and Werner. I haven't looked at Werner yet, but TMC is looking good so far..

Does anyone have any experience or anything to add on Werner?

[chain binder]

Have you looked at Maverick.They are out of Little Rock,but have a terminal in Gary.Living where you do you are in their running lanes.They haul alot of steel,but have an exceptional load training class.Have good equipment and get you home on weekends.

[coalregion]

I I am retired Army so I would rather work for a company that expects standards to be kept.

Judging by that statement alone, TMC is definitely up your alley. Just don't walk on their grass when your in orientation in Des Moines, as it's rumored that it is a fast track ticket home. (Kind of like the Army, no?) Truck washes are expected/required every 2 weeks. They like their equipment spotless and shiny (Kind of like the Army,no?) Good luck buddy and thanks for your 20 years of keeping us safe!!

[repete]

Well I checked with Crete, and the problem is that I plan on going to Roadmaster driving school in Indianapolis and they do not recruit students from there. The reason, is that students do not get enough training hours at that school. I respect that decision because their main goad is safety. He did say TMC was a good company. LOL.

Crete will accept (or did) grads. from non PTDI schools BUT only on an individual basis, try sending Bluebeetle a PM he's a recruiter for Crete and will give you the straight poop If he's still around

[GMAN]

Before putting money down with any training company I would suggest checking with companies that you are interested in working for and see if they will accept their training. If not, then you may want to find another company from which to get your training. It is rumored that new drivers will need to have a minimum number of seat or driving hours before they can work in this industry. Not all training companies will give that much training. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer driver training programs for less than the private companies. Most training facilities can assist you in placement with a carrier. I would ask before signing on the dotted line. You may not be able to start with your first choice in companies. Once you get a year or two behind you then you can pretty much go wherever you want.

I would also suggest checking with Roehl, Millis, Swift and CRST. They all pull vans, but offer training for new drivers. You may also check the company listings on this forum. Most of the major carriers are listed along with their minimum hiring requirements. The most critical thing you need right now is experience.

[razorwyr]

It is rumored that new drivers will need to have a minimum number of seat or driving hours before they can work in this industry. Not all training companies will give that much training. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer driver training programs for less than the private companies.

I am starting school on August 11, my tuition and fees combined are going to cost me around $1900 at a community college. There is a lot of recruiting done out of my school and the hours required are well over the required amount by most companies I have already checked into/applied to. I am not sure if all community colleges are the same way, but I can't imagine them being much different. Most companies are requiring 160+ hours of class with a minimum of that being 40 hours behind the wheel. I am not sure of the exact specifications on my class, but the quick math for days in class and hours class is held comes up to around 250. In our first two weeks we are going to be in a classroom environment with additional time spent on a simulator. Weeks 3-8 will be spent mostly behind the wheel or riding while someone else is driving. Some of the other advantages, I've been told, are that the classes are smaller than some of the driver mills the companies will send you through. Our class will have a max of 4 students to one instructor.