Is There any good training companies out there?

[bjamin]

I am looking to get my CDL but cant aford to pay for it myself and there are no colleges in my area that offer the training. I have talked to both stevens and swift but continue to read nothing but horror stories about there programs. can anyone give me some positive feedback about either of these two companies or suggest one that is worth the time and energy?

[greg3564]

Schneider has the best reputation. One positive about Swift and Schneider is their schools are PTDI certified. So that never hurts on an application.

Stevens is so-so. The big drawback to them is, after being with your trainer, you have to go out with another trainee and drive team while making student pay for several weeks. That's just insane. Why in the world a company would send two trainees out in a truck? Because they make a lot of money using two newbies as a team.

Central Refrigerated is another decent training company.

I would avoid the others that train. ie Pam, USA Truck, CR England and CRST.

Prime has mixed opinions. I don't like how they make you ride as a team with your trainer for 5-6 months.

[bjamin]

Thank you for the feedback, I will look into Schneider.

[Sheepdancer]

There are 10s of 1000s of successful truck drivers out on the road right now that started at Swift. The fact is you just arent going to be paid that well your first year until you get some time and miles under your belt.
Think of your first year as ALL SCHOOL.
Yes, Swift, Stevens, Usa truck, Schnieder and all the training schools get a lot of flack with drivers....However, you NEVER will hear a company turning you down because one of those companies is on your resume for your first year. However, if you choose some unknown company without a good school, good luck getting a good job after your first year.

[Soladad]

I agree with Sheepdancer. Once out of school your education continues every day for the rest of your driving career. Many older drivers say that if you don't learn something new every day in trucking then you are dead. Even after 2 years the lessons continued for me. It was always a challenge out there but great deal of satisfaction when I faced a challenge and suceeded in accomplishing the task set in front of me. Good luck in your education.

[RottsATruckin]

www.wksh.com

good school, good company, good luck.

[mdgardner963]

There are the what i call big 10 companies with that said. best bet is Schneider. At least there you will get a course on all weather conditions and they will take care of you if you make it 2 years.. They will sweaten the pot because they will have a built trust.. Remember think long term not short stick it out for at least 2 years. Do not get anything tickets or accidents. and you will get a real good reputation.

Remember your dispatcher pushes you, You set the time trip plan learn to say no the times that do not work.. 99.9% of the time they will respect you more for it and will help you in the long run. you will get better loads and they will ask you the time that you can make.

We are not cowboys were frieght re-location experts and customer service agents. We have 2 cutomers on each trip were we pick up the load and deliver it to. Some companies will be nice and others are jerks. Learn to live with it.

After 2 years people will put you at the top of the list. This is really a customer service job.

[tbogle05]

MD and sheep both great posts.

BJ, It has been said many times that any company can be a good company. Ive worked for a couple that people hate and I loved it there(werner). Just look at the company and see which one fits what you want best. Ive heard that schneider has a great school. Ive also heard from a few guys that the school that PAM and USA have are good schools too. I guess its what you make of it. If you go to school and work for a company for a year to pay it off and you like it there then stay If not just give it another month and if things dont improve move on. Keep a clean record and you'll go far also dont job hop. You will lose a lot of money by changing & in the long run and fewer and fewer companies will actually look at you when they see 10-20 jobs or more in a 10 year period.

[BHG0069]

As a former Schneider driver, I can vouch that their training is top notch. They are extremely safety oriented. You will NEVER be asked to run over your 11. You will NEVER be asked to run in inclement weather, or if YOU feel it is unsafe. You will NEVER be asked to run a load you cannot complete Safe and Legal.

When I went to their school the contract you HAVE to sign (unless you are in California) was 12 months. I was in the very last class before the new 18 month contract was implemented. When you weigh all of what Schneider is offering you, the 18 month contract is not all that bad. If you leave to find "Greener Pastures" before you have at least 1 yr experience, you will quickly find that they are all the same or worse. So be a man and stand by your contract with Schneider. When your contract is up you will have the right experience with a company that is respected through out the industry and you just might find your "Greener Pasture," as I have done.

Schneider is not the best and they certainly not the worst. I did a HUGE amount of research before I chose Schneider. I weighed all that was in front of me and I made my decision. There were a few times I almost quit though. When all was said and done, I am happy I worked for Schneider. I am also happy of the great training and the FREE CDL I received.

If you work for them try and get a dedicated run, P&G, Kimberly Clark, Target, JC PENNY, etc. Schneider is such a huge company and if you get stuck on system and hate it, don't quit. There and many, many different dedicated runs that have different home time and Pay.

Hope this was helpful.

[tjv189]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again........avoid Swift at all costs. Try Schneider or US Xpress. Swift does have a great training program, but that is the only positive of the whole company. If you would like to know why I'm saying to avoid Swift, PM me and I'll explain in more detail. Good luck.

[bjamin]

I appreciate all your imput. Schneider seems to be the consensus.

Any other advice ill take! :wink:

[mdgardner963]

I appreciate all your imput. Schneider seems to be the consensus.

Any other advice ill take! :wink:

Just remeber there is about 6 months of hell. Then as things settle down you can grow stick it out for the 18 months. If you ever decide to leave be a growen up give proper notice don't burn bridges. If you need help ASK they will help. i personaly wish you luck just keep in touch and i will yell at you lots of good folks here. don't listen to all the negativity. 8)

Oh Yes those things on each side of your truck USE EM there called mirrows and there great tools. Don't be afraid to GOAL Get out and look. And there are days you will be exhausted be even more carful.

On curves and off ramps the posted speed limit is always for cars go 5 or 10 mph slower especialy on off ramps unless you know it well.. Always leave yourself an out simply means give plenty of room for your truck.

Think about it like a pebble in a river let everything flow around you.

[Bumper]

I went with Central Refrigerated when I first started. Went to their school here in Fontana California. I have no regrets about going to their school or working for them. They are a training company and I needed to learn how to be a truck driver.

As it turned out, I had to leave before my 1 year commitment was up due to problems at home. About a month after I left I received a bill for the pro-rated balance due for my training. I paid it. They lived up to their end of the bargain and I felt I should too.

A little reefer van time doesnt look bad on the old resume either.

[drzebra]

Prime has mixed opinions. I don't like how they make you ride as a team with your trainer for 5-6 months.

Yeah, Prime has mixed opinions. Those who are actually there usually like it. Those who have never so much as pulled a load for them usually hate it.

You don't start out as a team with your trainer. While getting your CDL training, you drive for 100 hours (over the road training) with your instructor in the passenger seat at all times. After that, you go out with your A seat trainer for 60-80,000 miles starting out in a super solo arrangement and ease into a team situation.

PrimeDrivers.net message board

[tntdj1198]

I would suggest using the link here for new drivers to investigate a lot of the companies online, check out their equipment, web site design, what their mission statement is, do they rate well with people. Beware that a lot of companies are like politicians, they tell you what you want to hear but when you get there, WOW, a whole different story lol. Here is a linkI used to check out my present job:

http://www.everytruckjob.com

I looked at Schneider as well but they wanted me to get a Hazmat, no thank you, I would not reccomend Millis Transfer either, They will let any truck driver train you, and I have heard they cancelled a few classes on students and never reschedualed them and kept that persons money $500 non refundable deposit. I looked at Pam Transport, Schneider, Covenant, Werner, Stevenson, Millis, US Express, Averitt, KB Transportation, Gordon, and about 30 other companies.

http://www.pamdrivers.com/companycdl.aspx

Take your time and do your research, it will pay off. Ask a lot of questions when talking to recruiters. Once you get 6 months of training in get a hold of me and I will get you into my current company working 5 off 2 days every week.

Good luck
BookerT[/url]

[drzebra]

What's wrong with hazmat? Certainly it can be the difference between getting a load and sitting.

[mdgardner963]

I went with Central Refrigerated when I first started. Went to their school here in Fontana California. I have no regrets about going to their school or working for them. They are a training company and I needed to learn how to be a truck driver.

As it turned out, I had to leave before my 1 year commitment was up due to problems at home. About a month after I left I received a bill for the pro-rated balance due for my training. I paid it. They lived up to their end of the bargain and I felt I should too.

A little reefer van time doesnt look bad on the old resume either.

Nothing wrong with that at all. :twisted:

[mdgardner963]

I would suggest using the link here for new drivers to investigate a lot of the companies online, check out their equipment, web site design, what their mission statement is, do they rate well with people. Beware that a lot of companies are like politicians, they tell you what you want to hear but when you get there, WOW, a whole different story lol. Here is a linkI used to check out my present job:

http://www.everytruckjob.com

I looked at Schneider as well but they wanted me to get a Hazmat, no thank you, I would not reccomend Millis Transfer either, They will let any truck driver train you, and I have heard they cancelled a few classes on students and never reschedualed them and kept that persons money $500 non refundable deposit. I looked at Pam Transport, Schneider, Covenant, Werner, Stevenson, Millis, US Express, Averitt, KB Transportation, Gordon, and about 30 other companies.

http://www.pamdrivers.com/companycdl.aspx

Take your time and do your research, it will pay off. Ask a lot of questions when talking to recruiters. Once you get 6 months of training in get a hold of me and I will get you into my current company working 5 off 2 days every week.

Good luck
BookerT[/url]

Ya think he would like to make a few$$ Stay were you start don't job hop nothing wrong with the big orange. I started with another company after a year i moved on.

[mt1trucker]

I agree, why not grab a hazmat if you can. There has been a real push by companies lately to encourage drivers to get their hazmat liscense. Swift will not only reimburse you the cost of the liscense but also just raised the hazmat bonus to $35/load on top of the mileage pay.
Many other companies will pay a little extra per mile if you have it.

BOL to you

[CrazyTulip]

Actually I'd do hazmat too while you're at it. It's not that much of an extra effort to get it and some companies actually pay extra per mile just for having it. The company I drive for is actually going to pay $.02/mile extra just for having hazmat endorsement regardless if you're pulling hazmat load at that time. I believe they'll start paying as of April 1st for that. But as far as training companies go: I've done my training through Prime Inc. and was very happy with it. However don't lease a truck from them; go company for a year and then see if you want to stay or move on elsewhere. At least you'll have some experience to look around for something else then if you want to. Good luck to you.