Profile For Andrea H.

Hi Kilonino, In addition to Brett's recommendations. You can also do some research on YouTube to see: reviews, company recommendations and experiences from other truckers that also needed a 2nd chance for whatever reason (accidents, criminal history and failed drug tests *after completing SAP) ....type in 2nd chance truck companies, also search spelling out second...read the comments, sometimes there is good info about other companies willing to take a chance on you from a posters experience..... from what I hear, researched as someone who is a CDL holder (B class looking to upgrade) and in a similar situation as you... Western Express Sweet Express Cherry Hill Trucking Variant Conventant Are some companies that came up... I don't what training and/or incentives are available you would have to research that

You can also try contacting a broker and/or recruiter for information on 2nd chance company opportunities. Hope this helps..Good luck, stay encouraged, stay safe and stay strong. Safe travels.

I had an accident August 2021. Long story short it was my fault I got into the lady Lane only because she stopped while all the cars left. There I was thinking she’s a good Samaritan who wants me to pass her I’m at a stop sign and the road is clear.

Before I could completely get into her lane she hit me. She got my back side bumper.

The accident investigator put in the report that I was reckless for not yielding.

That word has haunted me. Prime denied me TMC denied me….all reputable companies. I’ve never had a ticket in my life and that was my first at fault accident and I’m 29 years old. Brutal world.

I Just want to provide a live in for my family. Prime said I have to wait three years.CRST said wait 3 years. Prime says wait three years.

Any idea which company I should Look into after getting CDL permit?

Hi, I am also from NY (NYC) and in the process of upgrading my CDL B class to an A class permit. I found your reply to be quite informative about the CDL process with Schneider - as I have been conducting a lot of research on this site (enrolled in the High Road online training, as a supplement to NYS DMV CDL book) and YouTube (reviews, experiences) about different companies.

I see many companies have a commitment of 1 year or longer. I'm scared I won't be able to make the cut, fulfill my contractual obligation and not wanting to impact or ruin my credit - as a result I am contemplating upon successful completion of my A class permit taking classes locally as I have found some schools that allow 1:1sessions per hour and when I am confident, ready renting a truck for the road test.

But it is good to know Schneider is also a viable option for me (as I wouldn't want to go out of state for training, just to come back to NYC and have to retest). Thanks for the valuable information, Safe travels

I’m from New York and trained with Schneider in Indianapolis which is obviously handled different than at Swift as they test you at the training facilities. They had me test on site in Indy and submitted everything I needed to the federal database. When I got back to NY I just had to go in to the DMV and pickup my CDL. Pretty convenient.

The time with the mentor(TA) was shared with another student and you sleep in the truck with the other student. Nobody likes that part. I got lucky and got a local trainer so I was in the same hotel room during the mentor weeks as I was the rest of my training (6weeks for my original account). When I ran in to my old TA last week he told me they are no longer putting his students up in the hotel for those weeks and are instead making them sleep in the truck at the OC.

A couple uncomfortable weeks are well worth it in the end. I think you will have this no matter what paid training you go through. Just keep your eye on the prize.

🎉Congratulations 🎉 That is quite impressive 👍 Good luck

Big Scott, Thank you for reply. Yay....I am also a native Long Islander born and raised in Nassau but I also spent some time in Suffolk - where my lineage is (Brewster, Conklin, Hawkins, Hunter, Smith) as part Native American from the : Shinne**** / Poospatuck / Montaukett Nations is derived. I am a card holding member of the Montaukett Nation.

Currently, I am located in Brooklyn,NY but sometimes travel to the Island to visit relatives. I have been to Charlotte, NC - once it was beautiful and the people ,food were awesome. Thank you for sharing your experience and information on your company. I appreciate you. Safe travels.

Hey Andrea, I'm born and raised on LI. What part of NY are you from. I live in Charlotte, NC and have been out to the Island twice by truck.

CFI trains for free. I don't know what areas they are currently hiring from. Training is on automatics and our fleet is 100% automatic. We have dry van and refer options.

Good luck.

Travis, Thank you for your reply and for sharing your experience. I earned my CDL B class through company training at a school bus company here in NY many years ago, though I haven't used it much. I appreciate your reply. Safe travels

The school I used and just yesterday finished from, Cape Fear Community College, in Southeastern NC has no automatics so it's only manuals. I'm not sure how common that is anymore though. Just giving you a data point.

Bk, Thank you for sharing your experience and opinion I appreciate you. Safe travels

The school I used and just yesterday finished from, Cape Fear Community College, in Southeastern NC has no automatics so it's only manuals. I'm not sure how common that is anymore though. Just giving you a data point.

Andrea, put manuals out of your thinking. If a school doesn’t train you on AMT (Auto Mated Transmission, aka ‘auto’, just move on to training that does. The vast majority of training trucks will be AMT.

I trained on manual exclusively and have driven manual vehicles since I first started. When I was issued my first truck, I got an AMT. I would never go back to manual. When I got that truck, I was qualified in driving manual, so I had to get qualified in AMT. it took an entire 30 minutes of instruction from my trainer. Then off I went with my AMT and it was to my benefit. You DO NOT need to learn manual shifting to drive a truck.

Thank you Anne and Tom for reaching out and sharing the valuable links to a wealth of information on the site. I will read the links, as advised thank you for your time and reply. I appreciate y'all

Hi y'all quick question... Are there any Truck Driving Schools that train you on Automatic transmission? Unfortunately, I never learned how to drive a stick shift. Let me know, please and thank you. Safe travels

Andrea! Howdy, again, haha!

Just replied in your other thread; most companies train TOTALLY in automatics! Specialty stuff, like oversized and some LTL and .. BIG stuff not for newbies, still (sometimes!) use manuals.

Just starting out in the industry? No worries, no fears! You'll be okay.

Another thing I forgot to mention in your other thread; your DL issue should 'really' not be so bad, unless there's something you're not telling, haha!

Again, DO THIS: Apply For Paid CDL Training!

No worries about manuals right now, if ever!

Wish you well,

~ Anne & Tom ~

ps: read along / watch .... about autos ! Truckin' Along w/Kearsey!

Hi y'all quick question... Are there any Truck Driving Schools that train you on Automatic transmission? Unfortunately, I never learned how to drive a stick shift. Let me know, please and thank you. Safe travels

Andrea! Howdy, again, haha!

Just replied in your other thread; most companies train TOTALLY in automatics! Specialty stuff, like oversized and some LTL and .. BIG stuff not for newbies, still (sometimes!) use manuals.

Just starting out in the industry? No worries, no fears! You'll be okay.

Another thing I forgot to mention in your other thread; your DL issue should 'really' not be so bad, unless there's something you're not telling, haha!

Again, DO THIS: Apply For Paid CDL Training!

No worries about manuals right now, if ever!

Wish you well,

~ Anne & Tom ~

ps: read along / watch .... about autos ! Truckin' Along w/Kearsey!

Thank you so much for the time you've taken to reply and share your opinion with me. I appreciate you. Safe travels

I think most schools train on automatics with a option to train on manual. I’ve heard it’s easier to learn to drive a 10 speed if you’ve never driven a stick shift since the shifting procedures are quite different, so maybe give it a try.It’ll be one less restriction on your license.

Hi y'all quick question... Are there any Truck Driving Schools that train you on Automatic transmission? Unfortunately, I never learned how to drive a stick shift. Let me know, please and thank you. Safe travels

Hi y'all quick question... Are there any Truck Driving Schools that train you on Automatic transmission? Unfortunately, I never learned how to drive a stick shift. Let me know, please and thank you. Safe travels

Greetings everyone - my name is Andrea (yes, I am a female) located in NYC. I have a current, valid NYS CDL B class with a 1 year Medical Examiner's Certificate (expiring June2023) due to high blood pressure and the medication I use to manage it. While I have a CDL B Class (held without issue for about 10 years), I have very little experience driving a commercial vehicle with the exception of school bus and a paratransit vehicle for a few months... both sectors of employment weren't a good fit for me, as I'm not much of a people person.

I'm currently unemployed with no savings in reserve, financing trucking school would put me further in debt. I don't have the ability to do a lot of heavy lifting but I am willing to try. Also, unfortunately I had a minor accident in my personal vehicle last year that my insurance company put me at fault... prior to that I had no points or accidents.

However despite the fore-mentioned, I am still looking to enter the world of OTR, long hauling in hopes of a career change putting me on course to employment stability and financial security.

Would the above be a barrier to me being able to be a truck driver? Can any " current " truck drivers advise me about companies that might take me and provide free or paid training, I understand that most schools have a 1 yr. commitment which isn't of issue to me.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this... hopefully... I look forward to any and all responses... please and thank you