Profile For Bigdubber

CONGRATS! Old School!! Good for you! I look forward to your "updates" on your new chapter in life. God bless and be safe!

Sorry for the "news" OldSchool... but hey, it is and will TMC's loss...

I know you will find the company that will work out for you. People with your kind of "character" will always come out the better.

God bless and keep you.

...So long story short, I PASSED!! I now have my CDL....

CONGRATS EM!!!! Way to go!

Now the real learning starts! But, hey you've proven yourself capable... so you'll do just fine!

Keep us posted! And thanks for doing so!

I've been checking into Crete myself and here is what I've learned (from their websites and talking with two different individuals in recruiting).

Crete is actually three companies within one: Crete (dry vans), Shaffer (reefers), and Hunt (flatbed). They all basically fall under the umbrella of a corporation. Only Crete and Shaffer accept recent CDL graduates. You must have one year OTR before Hunt will even look at you. They run flatbed, glass and special freight.

As far as the "approved schools" list goes...I was told they (Crete/Shaffer) hire graduates exclusively from those schools. Those are the only schools they send recruiters to. They (Crete/Shaffer) would consider a graduate from a school NOT on the list provided the applicant was in an approved hiring area and was willing to spend additional time 'training' (he stated approx. 4 months). The typical training time is 8 weeks (at $500 per week which is pretty good for training time, many companies are in the low to mid 400s).

So, if Crete (or Shaffer) is THE company you really want to drive for, it makes sense to attend one of their 'approved schools' to ensure you get due consideration.

I was also told switching up companies (Crete/Shaffer/Hunt) was fairly easy to do if you had the experience and wanted to haul something different (i.e., reefers to flatbed).

That's good info right there... much appreciate the "share".

Good luck in your "search".

God bless and be safe.

OTR Training

(I ment to post this the other day, I have an update from days 2-4 coming up.)

The trainer and I left out from the terminal around 4:00AM Friday. We had a couple of drop & hooks around the terminal before picking up a load headed to Pennsylvania. I had my first experiences with weigh stations, fueling, and truck washes.. Also, the drop & hooks gave me experience with shippers/receivers and maneuvers. We stopped in South Carolina to spend the night that night. Everything went smooth for my first day. Just trying to learn all the company procedures and processes. I was excited to finally get out there and drive. All these CDL tests and road tests are stressful and don't allow you to just get out there and relax and drive. I enjoyed my first day and will update you again as soon as possible!

Hey! That's great, sounds like you are "getting in step", glad to hear all is well. Thanks for taking the time to keep "us" informed of your progress.

God bless and be safe out there!

Thanks Starcar for your reply.

Sorry Brett, I should of used different terminology. You're right, it is not "illegal"... what I should of said instead is "per MANY company's policy procedures, sleeping in the top bunk when truck is moving is NOT ALLOWED."

That being said, I concur with Starcar's last post, e.g. with all the mundane rules the "authorities" are cramming down the throats of carriers and truck drivers, it is surprising (maybe not?) that sleeping in the top bunk of a moving truck has not been made illegal.

@Old School, I tip my hat to ya... your attitude about this situation is refreshing to hear! I pray you will continue caring that every where you go.

I thought it "interesting" that I should find your post today. I have been "researching" the truck driving forums and blogs, etc for a few months now because I am making a career change this coming May. I fully intend to return to TT OTR (still sorting out how to get trained and what company to try and work for, hopefully start by mid June) after over 20 years of absence.

Today, after my daily routine of scouring companies and forum threads, etc I was wondering if I was "selling myself short" by not considering flatbedding (instead leaning to dry van as first choice and reefer as a second choice).

I really like the physical aspect of the flatbed realm, but for the past 20 years I have gotten "soft" as being a Barber, my daily exercise amounted to my daily walk around my Barber Chair. Add to that I had a hernia operation back in 2001 so I was worried about that disqualifying me from the start.

I will be praying for you, and looking forward to your progress, whatever that turns out to be.

God bless you and yours and be safe.

GA_Rookie... do you know if Crete accepts ONLY the schools listed within their website, or are they open to accept other schools not listed within their website?

Here is a list of Approved Schools for those of you who are interested. I do not think they will accept anywhere else. You are more than welcome to call a recruiter to verify. The number is 1-800-998-2221. I agree with skyflyer69. The schools on this list should be cheaper and have a better quality of learning. I chose the tech college route and would not have it any other way!

Thanks for your reply.

Hope all is going well with you.

God bless and be safe.

GA_Rookie... do you know if Crete accepts ONLY the schools listed within their website, or are they open to accept other schools not listed within their website?

I wanted to shoot them an email to inquire but couldn't find an email anywhere on their site.

The issue is that I live way up here in Vermont, we have two CDL schools but neither are listed on their website, and financially, I can't go to any of the schools listed on their website, too far away and more expensive (although the two schools here are NOT cheep either, but it's "doable")

Thanks.

God bless and be safe.

Bigdubber,

My home terminal is in Marietta, Ga.

Ok, thanks!