Profile For Shaun S.

Shaun, that varies from state to state. A simple phone call to the DMV (of course there usually is no such thing as a simple call to those folks), or a search on your states DMV web site should be able to provide you with that answer.

Yeah i tried calling them yesterday was on hold for an hr and hung up I will try again today after work.

How long is CDL learner's permit valid once you get it and the endorsements?

At this point, I keep changing my mind, how long do you have to go OTR as a rookie before you can get some type of dedicated account with this company. The reason I am asking is because Swifts has a Wal Mart DC about 10 miles from my house that they service. I would enjoy OTR for a while but would like to eventually get something more regional or dedicated. Does anyone know about the new Swift Training School in Memphis..any insights? I see a lot of Swift bashing on other sites but I have a friend thats been with them almost a year and seems to be ok happy there. Thanks.

"Swift Bashing" - big companies make easy targets. That's all. I have worked for Swift since February, after completing their school (the Memphis school is not new - the location next to the terminal is brand spankin' new.) No complaints.

Any trucking company will place you, as they need to, when they need to, to fill their load requirements

Generally, it's OTR for a few months. Then you can ask, or they will ask you, if you want a particular assignment. After 4 months OTR, I was asked If I wanted to do a shuttle run - 2500 miles/week and home every night (which I snapped up). When they needed another driver for the same run, they asked a few people who had just finished their mentoring meaning they never went OTR (except for their training).

After you drive OTR for a few weeks, let your DM know what you are looking for.

This is what makes me think Swift is the way to go, I do not mind going OTR for the experience but want some other options as I would like to be home atleast weekly at some point.

Shaun...I would try some other schools. I went to Roehl Transport. They run their CDL school both in Marshfield and Appleton WI. The school in Appleton is Fox Valley. When I was in school it was 2-1/2 weeks to test....3 weeks total. Then they ask you to train for 2 weeks with a trainer. I was put on a regional mostly drop/hook dedicated account right out of school. Been driving in the account since. Pay is decent. I won't quote Cpm...but I will tell you That I've been treated well in the 10 months since. They get me home once a week for my reset. Not sure if the same accounts would be available to you. If interested call Kim at Roehl. Hope additional info helps!!

Unfortunately Roehl Schools does not accept anyone from my area but will hire once I have completed a school so that is not an option at this point. The reason I was thinking swift is because its paid my 26000 a year I make unfortunately does not give me much room to play with as far as paying out of pocket.

I applied so far to CR England and Swift. So far Swift seems more fitting for me and my Family according to my recruiter after 6 months OTR there are quite a few dedicated routes in my Area which would give me more home time, and the Pay for CR England just does not seem like it will cut it (i know that the first year you do not make much but seems like they are the low end of the pay scale). I would be attending school in Tennessee for 3 weeks then she said the training period would be 5 weeks.

Saying all that I do have a couple questions as far as time out, pay and what not. She says I would be 14 days out 3 days home for OTR I was wondering how close to true this is. And also how is your pay once you move into OTR. Oh and one more thing What is the online test?

Thanks All

Shaun S

My wife and I combine at 34000 which is why we have been looking at going this route out of school got hired doing for a mom and pop shop then ever since the economy went bad they just have not been able to afford to give raised.

I'd be happy at 30k as long as there was opportunity to make more.

Doing IT stupid auto correct

My wife and I combine at 34000 which is why we have been looking at going this route out of school got hired doing for a mom and pop shop then ever since the economy went bad they just have not been able to afford to give raised.

So **** I'd be happy at 30k as long as there was opportunity to make more.

Do roehl hire in Iowa for there cdl school.

You can call the number on there website and find out. I just called to see about Michigan but nope they said I could get hired after getting my Cdl though.

I live in Texas. I lived out of it for a whole 5 months in the midst of a very mild Jersey winter and have been skiing multiple times when I was much younger. That's the extent of my cold weather experience. When I looked at going to colleges, I looked at UW. One of my mother's arguments was that I'd freeze to death, and I told her I'm sure I'd learn to wear a coat after the first bout or 2 of hypothermia. I figure I'll probably be better off buying a coat once I get somewhere that has cold weather because unless I go buy a Carhartt coat, nobody down here actually carries proper working cold weather gear.

I have no idea what to do in cold weather. I have no idea what kind of clothes you need or what kind of precautions might be necessary.

So, what do I need to keep from freezing my tooshie off?

I have lived in Mi most of my life carhartt is my go to also you can go into a hunting or snowmobile shop and pick up some good insulated socks lol I dunno what it is but hunting in Roscommon my biggest annoyance is cold feet lol

Hey....I was so excited to get started and made the call today.I was told by Knight Transportation that they are not training for CDL except up north somewhere and for that state only. My problem is getting my CDL training and working the job I have...which would be impossible. I was really likeing Knight because of the different opportunities, paid training, time home and I can take my dachshund Jimmie with me otr. I need to know another avenue to get help with my CDL asap with paid training.Obligation is fine except I need more home time availability and want Jimmie with me. Any more ideas,thoughts etc......

Thanks yall.....be safe out there and don't drive faster than your angel can fly!

I am in the same boat I got pre hires but cannot afford to quit my job but also cannot afford the private school rite now that offers night classes I tried getting a grant but make 2000 to much so I guess I just need to save the cash to pay for school out of pocket.