Profile For Seadragon H.

All companies that hire new cdl grads have finish training. Trucking companies won't hire new cdl grads and just throw them to the wolves in that expensive equipment. New drivers get caught up with the companies schools push and don't realize there's 350,000 trucking companies in the USA. Schools usually push 4 or 5 companies to the students because it makes their job placement easier because they don't have to spend hours and hours researching for what's available. The smaller, less known companies I mention to people are real picky about who they hire from cdl schools, so to be accepted should be a high compliment; the bar is set high.

Seadragon...I get that. And obviously they offer finish training, however how good is it, to what extent, and what can you offer describing your first hand

Objectivity is the best approach when a newbie has narrowed their field to two or three finalists. And then out of the blue you reply with "check out ABC Company, they hire trainees." I could easily throw out other options to Buck weat, but that will only confuse him and compromise my role as a Moderator.

experience with any of them? We discourage here say on TT.

I think your heart is in the right place but forgive me, you seem to be on a mission to dissuade the newbie's from the Mega Carriers. (Am I the only one who is reading this pattern?).

I have already suggested (asked) you to provide more details to Brett to include in the TT review wiki. Otherwise what you offer is little more than name dropping.

We are here to offer proven options for the student prospect, options that are backed up with first hand experiences as shared in the diary section.

OK,I get it. I have noticed there's about 4 posters that seem to control the website and to run afoul of them is a big no-no. There doesn't seem to be open discourse or room for fresh ideas. This is why you have so little participation on this forum and so many posts are years old with little to no response; "It's my way or the highway." I'll just log off now and won't return.

All companies that hire new cdl grads have finish training. Trucking companies won't hire new cdl grads and just throw them to the wolves in that expensive equipment. New drivers get caught up with the companies schools push and don't realize there's 350,000 trucking companies in the USA. Schools usually push 4 or 5 companies to the students because it makes their job placement easier because they don't have to spend hours and hours researching for what's available. The smaller, less known companies I mention to people are real picky about who they hire from cdl schools, so to be accepted should be a high compliment; the bar is set high.

Lots of changes since 2008. Where is your location, city/state?

I had BCBS through the Teamsters and for a family of 4 it cost me $21.00 weekly. I didn't stay there long, but that's what it cost while I was there 8 yrs. ago. I'm sure it's much higher now, but still cheaper than non-union companies.

Prime insurance isn't "bad" per SE. I have one monthly RX that is $150 but I pay zero. The other was an antibiotic and I dont think I paid for that either. The dental and vision are great, the same policies I had at the USPS. I don't like the $50 doctor copay..but the USPS copay is now $40, and this job is better. For drivers there is a doctor in our terminal who takes our insurance. And a shuttle that will take you to the dentist and eye doctor there. Take care of stuff in Springfield instead of using home time ;)

We have a high and low plan...the first year I went for the cheaper one cause the insurance drops so much after the first year.

I compared it to the obamacare offerings and for me it was better and cheaper than what they offered at the time.

Again, most of the big carriers are going to be good. If you make a wrong choice for you then wait a year and change companies..it's not that long.

Ignore the post just before this one. For some reason it mixed in with yours and difficult to figure out.

PI&I Motor Express in Masury,OH is flatbed and Teamsters and hires new grads. Nick Strimbu Inc. has the better reputation though. If it were me, would go with Nick Strimbu Inc. reefer division, but that's me; you will decide what's best for you and your family.

PI&I Motor Express in Masury,OH is flatbed and Teamsters and hires new grads. Nick Strimbu Inc. has the better reputation though. If it were me, would go with Nick Strimbu Inc. reefer division, but that's me; you will decide what's best for you and your family.

Not for the first few months solo. It took me probably three months of about $800 gross/$600 clear...this week was a slow week due to truck repairs but with detention and bonuses I ran 1726 miles. Grossed $907, take home $775.

Last week I did like 2700+ miles and got $1300 gross, $1120 clear...something like that. It does differ week to week. Since I paid off the money I owed prime for my food advance, cat fee, locks and chains...I don't think I've cleared less than $500 even during home time.

You said "training is solo not teams" what do you mean?

At prime with your permit the dispatches are solo runs so the student drives the instructor sits next to you. You take a 10hr break like you would solo. After you get the CDL you run team for 30k miles. Its not fun...but the rewards are great.

Prime does have a northeast dedicated route for reefer that is guaranteed $1250 per week, but you have to drive a lightweight unless you are a trainer. And you need to deal with traffic and lack of oarking , small tight customer docks. I told them no way. Lol

If you are like me and can live in your truck the money can roll in quickly. The $1700 per month in rent and utilities now goes in my pocket. Lol

Yeah, I know it will be less when I start out. I was just wondering what I could expect the average would be once I settled in and got used to how things work. I don't think I would want the Northeast dedicated either. It sounds like good money, but I'm sure there are a lot of headaches that go along with it. I live in southern Ohio, so I probably wouldn't qualify anyway.

I am married, so I will need the family insurance. My wife is checking to see when can get on her insurance, though. That might be cheaper in the long run.

About the solo thing, it seems to be run like the PSD is for Prime - I would do most of the driving and the instructor would be in the jump seat. No one sleeps when the truck is moving - even though I have my CDL already. I think they said I would be out a minimum of three weeks (up to eight, if needed) like this. It is dispatched as a solo driver truck. I think one reason I like this is because it might be shorter time-wise than the 40,000 miles with Prime. But Prime does pay $700/week while training, and Maverick pays $550. Also, with winter here, I'm sure I would be more comfortable with someone more experienced in the truck with me when the snow flies, so Prime would be good for that for at least this winter.

If you need good insurance for the family, look at a Teamsters company. Nick Strimbu Inc is Teamsters and located in Brookfield,OH. They hire new CDL grads. They have flatbed & refrigerated and from what I know, the reefer division does lots of west coast runs which means more miles.

Thanks for all of the replies/advice. It gives me a lot to think about. I have decided against Schneider mostly because they do not allow cell phone usage at all while driving - even Bluetooth. So now it is between Prime and Maverick. I like that prime has tanker, but I can switch to reefer if I don't like tanker. I like that Maverick has a $1,000 per week guarantee for reefer, and their training is dispatched as a solo - not team. Both seem to be great companies, and I'm sure I could be happy at either one.

Rainy, could the average be close to $1,000/week at Prime if I went reefer? It looks like Dan E. probably got close to that in the tanker division.

I know my earnings will depend on my performance and attitude, and I am eager to get started. I just want to make an informed decision, and everyone here is helping me tremendously, not only here in this post but everywhere I read on this awesome site.

Not for the first few months solo. It took me probably three months of about $800 gross/$600 clear...this week was a slow week due to truck repairs but with detention and bonuses I ran 1726 miles. Grossed $907, take home $775.

Last week I did like 2700+ miles and got $1300 gross, $1120 clear...something like that. It does differ week to week. Since I paid off the money I owed prime for my food advance, cat fee, locks and chains...I don't think I've cleared less than $500 even during home time.

You said "training is solo not teams" what do you mean?

At prime with your permit the dispatches are solo runs so the student drives the instructor sits next to you. You take a 10hr break like you would solo. After you get the CDL you run team for 30k miles. Its not fun...but the rewards are great.

Prime does have a northeast dedicated route for reefer that is guaranteed $1250 per week, but you have to drive a lightweight unless you are a trainer. And you need to deal with traffic and lack of oarking , small tight customer docks. I told them no way. Lol

If you are like me and can live in your truck the money can roll in quickly. The $1700 per month in rent and utilities now goes in my pocket. Lol

Yeah, I know it will be less when I start out. I was just wondering what I could expect the average would be once I settled in and got used to how things work. I don't think I would want the Northeast dedicated either. It sounds like good money, but I'm sure there are a lot of headaches that go along with it. I live in southern Ohio, so I probably wouldn't qualify anyway.

I am married, so I will need the family insurance. My wife is checking to see when can get on her insurance, though. That might be cheaper in the long run.

About the solo thing, it seems to be run like the PSD is for Prime - I would do most of the driving and the instructor would be in the jump seat. No one sleeps when the truck is moving - even though I have my CDL already. I think they said I would be out a minimum of three weeks (up to eight, if needed) like this. It is dispatched as a solo driver truck. I think one reason I like this is because it might be shorter time-wise than the 40,000 miles with Prime. But Prime does pay $700/week while training, and Maverick pays $550. Also, with winter here, I'm sure I would be more comfortable with someone more experienced in the truck with me when the snow flies, so Prime would be good for that for at least this winter.

The feds closed that school. There's a trucking company now with the same name, but they only hire experienced drivers. The ad says, if you don't have a cdl, don't apply.

Thanks for listening. All the guys we're trying to get our lawyers on the same page , if you need any further proof email me Claytonjews@gmail.com

They've definitely revamped their website but the information at the moment is unclear. They still have information up about student housing and getting your CDL through them. We'll keep an eye on it and see if they update it or check in here with us to verify anything.

Thanks for the heads up Clayton. Obviously as you can see from this conversation we've had our eye on these guys for a long time and we've tried giving them some advice about how to run their school without putting students in a bad situation. I'm hoping they do indeed drop the schooling altogether. No one should come straight off the street, learn to drive a truck, and then immediately be thrust into the role of an owner operator. It's entirely too dangerous to put that kind of pressure on someone and there's no possible way you can know how to compete as a business owner in an industry you know nothing about.

Find anything yet? BT Express Global Services.....PI&I Motor Express.....TransAm.....Carolina Cargo.....RoadTex Transportation....all these will probably hire you.

Stickers I have a little more time to thoroughly respond to your post.

G-Town wrote:

Stickers has a basic request for his future trainers hygiene:

Stickers responded:

Comments like that are starting to make me think you are trying to chase me away.

Not sure why you are starting to think that, but to reiterate, totally false. I am trying to give you information that is relevant to addressing your concern. What I wrote in response to your point about "stinky trainers" was the truth, offering a solution for handling it, and if you read my words it's obvious (at least to me and Errol) that not only do I understand but I agree with you. At no time did I imply that your concern was invalid, unfounded, or in "poor taste".

No one in any of the companies that most of this forum membership work for or have worked for, would expect a trainee be subjected to a foul and dirty trainer. In fact all of the companies I know of want all of their drivers to project a professional appearance and demeanor that includes basic hygiene. Bottom line if your trainer smells like the cat house at the zoo, avoid tossing your cookies and request a replacement.

Your concern although valid, IMO should not be a deterrent from pursuing trucking as a career.

It won't be a deterrent and thank for clearing that up, sorry for the assumption.

I and I think we all have heard/ read the horror stories about bad trainers. It honestly is the biggest concern I have at the moment all though I do not focus highly on it as it is only small chapter in my future career. I like to think most people who have a genuine problem with their trainer is something it is more of personal indifference that stems from having to live in someone else's space for the first in their (trainee) life.

I am not a woman and I am a smoker so I anticipate being able to get a in a training truck at the first opportunity made available I hope.

TransAm and Carolina Cargo will hire you.

I've been out 10 yrs and a few months. I have found somewhere to stay temporarily as of this morning. You went into it for the same reason I wanted to. I have had good jobs but they never let you forget. And in trucking it seems if you are safe, on time and work hard that people forget the mistake. Thanks