It's all in how you look at it. I spent 3 1/2 weeks in Little Rock waiting for a trainer. Did I want to get out on the road ASAP, heck yeah, but I also knew that Maverick was the company that I wanted to go with so I waited it out. It's not like I spent that time sitting around twiddling my thumbs, I was getting extra securement training and extra obstacle course training with a spread axle trailer. It all proved very valuable when I did get out on my own and I made $700/wk for the entire time I was there.

Sure Maverick could probably solve all of their trainer shortage issues by allowing drivers with 6 months experience to become trainers like a lot of other companies do. Of course, how much "training" can you actually get from a guy who is still wet behind the ears himself? The fact that they haven't addressed the problem this way speaks volumes to me about the type of company that they are. Yup, they need drivers, but they're not going to risk the safety of the trainee, trainer or the motoring public by cutting corners like this.

Also, the physical is no big deal. Anyone who is even close to being in decent shape should have little trouble. It's a little drawn out and I'm sure it's much more thorough than most companies, but you don't need to be an Olympic athlete to pass. There was a guy in my orientation who was 53 years old, was two years removed from a double bypass surgery and was at least 60-70 pounds overweight and he passed with flying colors. Myself, I thought the stepping exercise was the toughest part of the test.

 

well redsfan speak for yourself on that physical, lol. I weigh 135 lbs and lifting the 130 lb box and the lumber tarp 2 times almost whipped my a$$. I was the lightest person in the group and an average sized guy shouldnt have too much of a problem. It depends on the person I guess, but I would bet there has never been a class that hasnt had everybody pass the test.

 

Yeah, but you survived and got a job so it was no big deal right? :wink:

I saw two people fail the tarp test in the orientation class one week behind me while we were in the barn for securement training. One was a guy and judging by the looks of him he really shouldn't have had the problems that he did. The other was a woman and it really wasn't because she was a woman as to why she couldn't do it. She was just flat out of shape. They gave her every chance in the world to do it and she spent about 20 minutes struggling with it. At one point I thought the poor woman's head was gonna pop she was struggling so bad. There was another smaller woman in her class who passed it.

Every person that I saw come through there complained about the tarp test, but the reality is this: it's not a special weighted down tarp that they ask you to lift twice, it's the same lumber tarp that you'll be flinging around all the time. 99.9% of the time you'll never have to do more than roll it onto a forklift so he can set it on top of the load for you, but eventually you'll run into a time where you will have to lift it. It happened to me. I had pulled out to a tarping lot outside the gate of a lumber plant. Rolled it out and went to climb down to tack the corners down and a gust of wind came through and the darn tarp beat me to the ground. They weren't about to bring a forklift out there for me and there wasn't another soul around so I rolled it up and heaved it up on top of the particle board load. It wasn't easy, but I got it up there. IMO, them asking folks to lift it onto the back of a trailer twice before they will offer you employment is not asking a whole lot.

Now that step test, that's a different story...

 

Hi folks,

I have been a "stalker" of these message boards for quite some time(and an avid user of the "search" function) :lol: now without actually joining. First, I want to thank everyone who has given their experiences and advice no matter what company you work for. I am sure there are a lot more like me that just read these boards and try to get a feel of what its like without ever actually posting or asking questions. Probably even some that decide (just by reading your posts)to or not to pursue this career. So for this, I thank everyone who posts here. Trust me, you do make a diffence in peoples lives.

With that said, I have poured over these forums for approximately a year now and have decided I do want to go into this business. I have spoke with several recruiters and decided IF they would hire me, I wanted to go to Maverick. I submitted my online app and was put on the 2-3 month waiting list to go to CDL school in Arkansas. I am currently at the 2 month mark and was told today the call could come in any day now. I have let my employer know what is going on so if they call me, even on a week notice, I would be able to go, and still be able to leave on good terms with my current 5 year employer. (I am a true believer in "Dont burn your bridges!)

I really just have two questions I was hoping could be answered. First, it seems like everyone says "get your CDL on your own, so if it dosent work out you dont owe anyone anything". Okay, I understand, but if it dosent work out with Maverick, the school is 2500 dollars. Most schools in this area that I have called (South Carolina) are 4000 and up. Unless you go to a community college, which, because of the length of training and more importantly the times of the training I could not possibly do, it just seems like this is a no-brainer. If I am wrong, someone please let me know.

I would also like to know how long it takes on average to get a trainer. That seems to be the only question I cant get an answer for through recruiting. Im not exactly living week to week or anything but if I have to wait too long things might start getting tight and I just want to be able to prepare myself financially if the wait is a while.

Thanks

 

First of all, if the schools are that expensive, I would deff go threw Mavericks schooling. Maverick has 2 schools one in Arkansas and one in North Carolina. I did not attend either of these schools however from other drivers that have attended these schools I have heard nothing but positive experiences. Also if I'm not mistaken, maverick only requires a 6 month commitment not a year like other companies.

Im not sure what the wait is on the flatbed side because I am with mavericks specialized division, but I do know that one guy came from the flatbed side after being told that it might be quicker for him to get a driver trainer if he did come to specialized.
On the specialized side, its pretty quick to get a driver trainer ~ The guys i have kept in contact with from the Orientation i went threw, have all had their trainers within a week of finishing the securement training. Everyone I have talked to when I go threw Lauirnburg NC has gotten their driver trainers pretty quickly.

if you have any questions, please feel free to pm me.

BOL to you!

 

I went to the ICC/Sage course in Spindale, NC for my CDL and there were several students from the Spartanburg area. It was $3500 for a 160 hour PTDI course or about 5 weeks and it was a very good course. Just food for thought.

 

I definitely got lucky that I had a trainer the very day that we finished the securement training in N.L.R. There was a group there of 3 or 4 drivers who were left over from the week before. I think the most I know of is a couple of weeks between the time you finish securement training and the availability of a driver trainer. I'm sure it could be more as it seems their training program is busting at the seams these days.

Keep in mind. I'm pretty sure you will have the option of staying there in L.R. during the waiting time. As I understand it, the guys that were held over while I was there were paid $100/day for every day that they stayed at the terminal. They recieved additional securement training and range training. From what I saw...it is the easiest $100/day you will ever make in your lifetime! LOL

BTW... I am actually pretty sure of what I'm saying in the above paragraph...the "pretty sure" and "as I understand it" stuff is just covering my butt in case they have changed a policy or something since I went through the orientation/training! LOL


Have a good good one and GOOD LUCK!

Arky

 

I definitely got lucky that I had a trainer the very day that we finished the securement training in N.L.R. There was a group there of 3 or 4 drivers who were left over from the week before. I think the most I know of is a couple of weeks between the time you finish securement training and the availability of a driver trainer. I'm sure it could be more as it seems their training program is busting at the seams these days.

Keep in mind. I'm pretty sure you will have the option of staying there in L.R. during the waiting time. As I understand it, the guys that were held over while I was there were paid $100/day for every day that they stayed at the terminal. They recieved additional securement training and range training. From what I saw...it is the easiest $100/day you will ever make in your lifetime! LOL

BTW... I am actually pretty sure of what I'm saying in the above paragraph...the "pretty sure" and "as I understand it" stuff is just covering my butt in case they have changed a policy or something since I went through the orientation/training! LOL


Have a good one and GOOD LUCK!

Arky

 

Also...for the others reading this thread. I wouldn't hesitate to switch to the specialized division if you can get in the door quicker there. Talk to Ron and let him fill you in on it, but personally, I think that is one really cool job! I know there has to be a lot of work involved, but from what I'm told, it pays pretty good, especially when the glass is moving.

Arky

 

Hey there Arky,

I still haven't heard anything either and its been 3months. I called once last month, She said it will be coming up soon and the month went right by, with no call :cry: If i switch to specialized division is that just OTR or can you due REG too? I'm in Jacksonville, FL.

Thanks hope everyone is doing well out there!! Stay Safe out there!!