Profile For LDRSHIP

Thanks! I will give dbl clutching a shot. I'm guessing since I've been floating that I basically shoot for the same sweet spot, clutch neutral, clutch gear. Do drivers find this easier than floating? Can anyone explain benefits of dbl clutching?

Companies will want you to either attend their school or have a minimum 160 hour training certificate from one of their approved schools.

Also you will have to learn to double clutch not doing so is a automatic failure.

Getting Hazmat with shouldn't be a problem they are looking for more serious offenses than what you have. If you do not plan on running Hazmat do not even bother getting it as it can be a pain as it has to be reneqed. Infact I have to renew mine with in the next month.

The sweet spot is the same. The reason for double clutching is it allows you not to have to be as precise and still get it in the gear. It is the standard that is taught and what you are expected to demonstrate. Even on road tests at companies during orientation. It just is what it is.

I find floating easier and faster. But, that is me. I’ve used floating to teach a student about listening to and ‘feeling’ the truck when shifting to improve their shifting while double clutching.

I can tell you right now, any state examiner would require you to double clutch and floating gears may be an automatic fail.

I am sure there is more than just a single CDL program within a reasonable area. Look more than just next door. Look in say 120 mile radius.

You can always just call the CDL school and ask what companies send recruiters there. It would give you an idea of what companies hire in your area.

TBH, when it comes to trucking companies and CDL schools, the first rule of journalism applies. Trust no ones information, but your own. Take reviews with a grain of salt and investigate them for yourself. If something is factual it will hold up to scrutiny.

It is called: Assurance. It is Freightliners in house take on the On Guard system. I agree you need to get the truck into a shop to get fixed before it causes an accident.

Look at Craigslist, you will be surprised at the number of large companies that post ads on Craigslist.

Other than that, call any Truck driving schools or community colleges in your area.

If Roehl interests you, the simplest answer is call them. Put in an application to apply for training. The worst thing they can say is: NO!!! Ok, if that happens then move along. The list of companies that offer in house training is fairly extensive.

If a local CDL school is something you are considering, then look around. See if any community colleges in your area offer training. If they do, they may have a night or weekend type class schedule available.

Ask any the Truck driving schools or community colleges with CDL programs if they are partnered with any larger companies. Many of them do have partnerships. It would work out very similar to company sponsored training at a companies in house cdl school. The difference being is instead of going away to a school, you would do your training at whatever truck driving school or community college.

Remember there is always more than one way to skin a cat. Persistence and creativity will be your friends.

Hazmat is in no way a huge necessity unless you specifically are looking to haul hazmat. If you are don’t want it, then simply don’t get it.

Not having a hazmat endorsement on your CDL with Roehl or Schneider is not a deal breaker.

Endorsements are truly not a necessity in this profession unless your looking so a specific type of job.

Tanker only if you plan to do tankers.

Double/Triples only if you plan to do LTL.

Hazmat only if you plan to haul hazmat.

Granted most LTL companies will require hazmat and doubles/triples endorsement.

But I am definitely just carrying on at this point.

Good chance, if you are found at fault for failing to yield the right of way, that many companies won’t touch you for a time.

Might be a year or several. It was definitely a bone headed mistake. One that companies will see as demonstrating a lack of situational awareness and safety conscious driving.

In a semi truck pulling such a move would of ended up with you being fine and the car hitting you most likely having a white sheet draped over the people inside. Think about that!! When you mess up in a semi truck, things tend to get destroyed and good chance people die.

The 16 year old felony will probably not be a huge deal breaker; especially, if you kept your nose clean since. The Reckless driving charge WILL be an issue at many places.

As far as getting a job, I am willing to bet that any larger, successful company will not touch you without 3-6 month’s verifiable OTR experience OR 160 hr training certificate from a driving school. Trying to circumvent the process is shooting yourself in the foot. You would be better off either going to a school or choosing a company sponsored training course. I am sure someone will post a link to “apply to company sponsored training.” Just know that link only sends applications to a very small slice of available training out there. It is not the end all, be all. It only sends applications out to those companies that pay for such advertisement.

There are a couple company sponsored training that does pay you while in training for your cdl. Roehl is such a one if memory serves me correct. All the big companies pay you during your training after you have a CDL.

A big advantage of company sponsored training is your are applying for a job at a place. So if they extend an invitation to their own school you are more or less guaranteed a job as long as you pass training. The other advantage is little to no money up front. You only have to guarantee your time. Usually 10-14 months.

To put it simply: either go to school or join a company sponsored training. Anything other than that and you are wasting your time and effort.

Hi Guys sorry about the misunderstanding. I signed a W4 form . However the question still remains . How much will a mega pay me to go OTr per day. I have a family to feed

Your pay will be dependent on what company you go with as far a training period is concerned. I can almost guarantee that your “training” at a small company will be short and brief. They can’t afford for you to tag along for weeks on end.

After training you will get paid by the mile. Most of the big companies pay close to the same. Different types of freight pay differently. Dry van is the lowest pay and least additional work, Reefer pays a little more with more responsibilities, and Flatbed pays the most but has the most manual labor. So what it will boil down to is how well you “get it”. How ambitious you are. Your stamina to drive for long periods. This industry is performance based. After training bringing home $500-$800 a week at first should be no issue. By the 6 month mark you should be bringing home $700 - $1000 range. I’m sure there are plenty of people will say that my numbers are low. I’m mainly basing it on running dry van. Even then, it all depends on how quickly you figure this lifestyle out.

Honestly what you would probably make at the intermodal job is close to what you would make at a big company. But here is the catch. At the big company you will have benefits. You will be an employee and properly coded as such for tax purposes. That means your employer is paying HALF of your social security. You will have unemployment and Workman’s Comp benefits. Plus many of the big companies will do part of your pay as Per Diem. A legal way of lowering your (and the company’s) tax liability.

Working for a small company was an eye opening experience for me. The guy that owns the small company is an awesome guy and I will definitely keep in contact with him, BUT there are advantages to big companies. Like keeping your equipment up to snuff.

Honestly, I think you would be making a HUGE mistake by not going with a larger company. If the company doesn’t have a 100+ trucks, been around for at least a couple decades and is self insured, It would probably be a mistake to start with them. Learn the job where there is lots of support to help you.

If you noticed I didn’t say it had to be a mega with thousands of trucks, just a company that is big and stable. One that has been around awhile and has proven themselves successful in this industry.

Ultimately it is your choice. Choose wisely.

It sounds as though you would like the one that pays less but better hours. In truth you will get used to hours if they are steady pretty quickly. As for the stay away from local and smaller companies and go with a big company I disagree. If you have found what you like I would never go to one of those big companies. Not that there is anything wrong with them but in reality small and locally owned companies are what the trucking industry is built on and if you find a good one they will stick with you better than the big ones where you are just a number.

I unfortunately must disagree. I have worked for both. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. The big company has the funds to keep their equipment in top shape. The equipment is newer and better cared for. As far as being a number I completely disagree. I can e-mail the President if H. O. Wolding any time I want. Actually, I e-mailed him personally to let him know of my return. His reply was the best news he had all week.

I personally prefer the larger company. Why I am going back. The main reason above all else that I missed working at Wolding is the FAMILY atmosphere. I know the mechanics, the dispatchers, the load planners, the training department, the safety department, fuel & logs department, load planners, operations and president ALL on a first name basis. They all know me by first name. Now tell me working at a large company that your just a number. I say BS!!!!!