Another Noobie needs opinions.

[AsphaltBound]

Hi to all. First things first "GREAT INFO SITE" for prospective drivers. Have learned much meandering the halls of CAD. Great input from most. That's whats needed: THE TRUTH in TRUCKING. After reading and reading and more reading and looking from others who have researched about which company to work for, and which not to work for, I have decided there are about 4 that top the list: CFI, Roehl, TMC, and Schneider respectively. All top notch for beginners. I do not yet have my CDL but will be starting @ Cross Country Driving School in Thomasville, NC. about the 4th of Dec. Course is 4 weeks long and I live 5 miles from it so its convenient. WIA will be funding it so that's a plus. Any info on this school will be appreciated. I see that all are hiring in my area but need to know a few things before I commit to a company. I feel the most honest answers would come from drivers like you all and not the company recruiters. I am a 47 yr old career changer with grown children and have been happily married for 26 yrs.

My questions are:
1- Would it be better to find a Co. that has a terminal close to home? Considering none of these companies have terminals in my area. Am i going to have to drive to the nearest terminal after my days off which is like 300 miles or so?

2-I had few part time jobs while closing my own business down due to the local economy before I found a more stable job doing retail (I was a HVAC and Electrical contractor for 12 yrs). Should I put these p/t jobs down on my applications? I walked off the first one because of the morons who worked there and i got fired off the 2nd one due to a safety violation. My helper forgot to turn ALL the switches off and I got fried and fired. I only worked at both of them for less than 6 months.

Thanks in advance!

[-FlyByNight-]

Try posting this thread here:

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=2

Good luck!

[AsphaltBound]

Thanks, I will.

[syl77dar]

goodluck

[Uturn2001]

My questions are:
1- Would it be better to find a Co. that has a terminal close to home? Considering none of these companies have terminals in my area. Am i going to have to drive to the nearest terminal after my days off which is like 300 miles or so?

Most companies will allow you to take the truck and trailer home with you on your days off. Check with the companies you are interested in to see what their exact policies are regarding this.

2-I had few part time jobs while closing my own business down due to the local economy before I found a more stable job doing retail (I was a HVAC and Electrical contractor for 12 yrs). Should I put these p/t jobs down on my applications? I walked off the first one because of the morons who worked there and i got fired off the 2nd one due to a safety violation. My helper forgot to turn ALL the switches off and I got fried and fired. I only worked at both of them for less than 6 months.

If it is asked for on the application then give it. A sure fire way to not get hired is for leaving off information from the application.

Most companies are going to ask for a 10 year work history, the last 3 of which they are going to be verifying.

[Skywalker]

My questions are:
1- Would it be better to find a Co. that has a terminal close to home? Considering none of these companies have terminals in my area. Am i going to have to drive to the nearest terminal after my days off which is like 300 miles or so?

You have probably read some of my posts relative to CFI.... 8) In all the time that I drove for them... I always took my truck home to where I parked it... In reality, parking it at a terminal is generally not that important... unless the company requires it... as does my current employer "Superior Carriers" (tanker outfit)... so I park it at a terminal in Lakeland, FL and my wife comes and gets me. The only advantage that I see in parking on a terminal while you're on time off is that you can get services done on the truck or repairs, etc.... But the downside is that you have to leave your keys and you don't always know who's going to handle the truck, etc...

2-I had few part time jobs

List every job you have had in the past ten years....regardless of the duration. They will check and any omissions or errors can create problems.

Thanks in advance!

Not a problem!! If you have any other questions.... please feel free to ask!!

[shadowsknight]

I agree that leaving it at the terminal is not always a good thing. I once "lost" a tv in a terminal. The mechanics will put you truck in the shop for various things while it is there and it may even be used for road tests or whatever reasons the company may see the need for.
I once couldn't find my truck and it appeared after 2 hours. A trainer used it to take 4 drivers down the road for a physical and drug screen. ie... there were 3 drivers in the sleeper and I had several small things come up missing. cd's...dvd's...
The good thing about having it at the terminal is not having to worry about the truck getting stolen or broken into while you are home.