Profile For Jim

Jay, I can't wait to hear more of your driver training experiences and what really happens with your family life. I am getting ready to go to school soon and am very apprehensive about leaving my family alone.

Right now I'm approaching this as an investment in our future. My long term goal is to get a job at a local company in my area. (There are a few to choose from) But we talked long and hard about this because I knew I'd have to do over the road for some time first. I drove before we adopted our two girls, so me and my wife know what to expect. My younger daughter is the emotional one, my older one is mainly concerned about getting to hit the road with me at some point. Allegedly I'll only have to drive for approximately 6 months OTR to fulfill my training obligation then I going to start applying at those local spots.

Congrats to you. Too often folks leap into this career field without a plan. You clearly have a plan of using your current trucking company as a springboard for your career. And I'm here to tell you there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's those folks who job hop from one company to the next that worry me. The time you sacrifice now will pay off in dividends later when you obtain that local job.

On a related side note to anyone else thinking of going to school to obtain your CDL, make sure you select a trucking company that's known for their training and safety record. For example, Schneider has a reputation second to none for its training program. So whether you use this company as a springboard for a long term career goal (getting that local job, becoming an owner operator, becoming a trainer, etc.); or whether you plan to retire from this company, remember that safety must be your first priority. If you don't work for a trucking company that's willing to invest the time, tools, and resources to make sure you are safe and successful, then steer clear!

Best regards, Phoenix Summers

Hi, my question(s) is, Are there companies that primarily do HM? If so, do they train new CDL holders? Do they normally keep their equipment and trucks maintenance up to better standards due to the regulations they are under? Are their trainers usually geared to a more professional attitude? Is it hard to get into? Is it a more serious route to go for a new driver?

We are just starting to study it in class and our teacher said we would not be spending to much time on it. This is what I studied today(in order). I read the HM section in the Texas handbook , did the reviews offered here on the CDL training, Then read HM section out of the school book(Bumper to Bumper)and answered all the questions my teacher gave us that we will review tomorrow. I also downloaded all the sections regarding to government and Dot regulations. Is there some material that I can use to study deeper into HM to get ahead so when I test or start a job working for a company that does HM?

Many companies do not require that you obtain a HazMat endorsement. However, certain driving opportunities often require it - for example, tanker and intermodal opportunities. Most of the larger trucking companies offer a standard orientation (3-6 weeks) for the majority of driving opportunities (dry van, dedicated, reefer, and team opportunities). These same companies offer additional training if you want to pursue tanker or intermodal opportunities.

I'd like to point out a correction to the first response. A HazMat load only requires a placard if there is 1,000+ LBS of a certain material - not 40,000 LBS. With that said, I would highly encourage you obtain your HazMat endorsement. Why? Having that tiny endorsement on your CDL will earn you more money. The professional driver with a HazMat endorsement often earns several thousand dollars more per year than a driver without the endorsement. Why? Because you have more freight options for your company to choose from. And in addition to the miles you're paid for that load, you will also earn accessorial pay.

Best regards, TruckLuck.com

Greetings,

I have been on this site more and more since I first gained an interest in trucking a few months ago. Should my interest continue to inflate, I will likely ascertain my CDL-A (with endorsements) in early 2016 (waiting for 1-yr DL requirement).

With that said, I will likely wait till year-end to request any pre-hires, or contact recruiters, but I was curious about how long pre-hires are valid for.

Until then, I will continue reading the lovely stories on this site, continue the High-Road Program and read my copy of Florida's CDL Handbook.

Thanks,

LunchBox

On an unrelated note, has anyone anything about J-Tech Institute in Jacksonville, FL. Their website says they do a 170 hour course for about $3000. Aside from T-Rex85, whom I'm still waiting on response from, I haven't seen anybody comment on them. Perhaps, I'll just have to stop by one day.

Trucking can be a rewarding career, LunchBox. I've held a variety of roles in the trucking industry - driver, driver manager, and recruiter. Here' what you need to know about pre-hire letters. They're useless.

A pre-hire, by law, can only ask certain questions - questions that pertain to your driving history. The pre-hire cannot ask questions relating to criminal history. And while this may not apply to your situation, it basically renders that pre-approval useless. Pre-hire letters do not 'guarantee' you a job. A pre-hire letter is a recruiting tool used to bait candidates. I know of no trucking company with 100 or more trucks that does not at some point make you fill out their online application. So save yourself some time. Find the 3-5 companies that interest you the most. When it's time, go ahead and apply to all of them. Go with the company that fits your needs the best. Hope that helps.

Sincerely, TruckLuck.com