Profile For BullDozer

I would prefer a smaller class as well, again this is just for me. I don't like to be around large groups when I'm learning something new. I don't want to feel like there are a hundred eye's on me when learning something new. My nerves stay calmer and I focus more on what I'm doing.

I first want to start off this thread by apologizing for my attitude and how I responded to G-Town. I felt like I was being attacked when he was just offering his advice. So for that I am sorry. I would like to hear from anyone who is currently in CDL A training and what the pros and cons are of the number of students in classroom. Is it a big class size or small? What is student to teacher ratio? And how you feel about the training you receive. Now I understand everyone is different in their learning capabilities and some do good around a large group while others do not. If you could just let us know what your experience is and what you would prefer. Thank you. Please Trucking Truth forgive me. I am truly sorry for being an asshat.

Well it's critical to me and my success because I don't want to be around a large group of people, while not all but some will be a huge distraction. Possibly making my experience a bad one. You can say all day "well your there for you, so why would you let someone distract you." It will and it will possibly disrupt the whole class and trainers. Think about if the trainer is now upset because of a bad interaction with a trainee he/she will now possibly be in a bad mood and not be 100% focused on your training. Again these are just fact's. Go back to school days. Remember when some kids in class were acting up and what did the teachers do." Ok well wait for so and so to stop so we can continue" Fact's.

I completely agree with G-Town on this. I myself work for Knight Transportation, arguably one of the largest trucking companies around now that Swift and Knight merged under the KNX Holdings umbrella. I also serve a dedicated account, and have just a few people in the company I interact with. I find I am well known to others within the company, oftentimes without my even knowing them.

I understand where you're coming from with your thoughts on getting more focused attention in class, but to be honest it's not going to benefit you. The objective of schooling is to obtain your CDL. Students from a small class get the same CDL as students from a large group class, but they are still woefully unprepared for what comes next.

We are not trying to denigrate your decision or your preference. We're pointing out the simple fact that class size, though perhaps a personal preference of yours, is not something that should be considered as critical to success at trucking.

Class size, not company size. And while I agree it isn’t critical, I’m hoping for a bit more driving time before I get to my company school, and hopefully the smaller class gives me that. I would also like to pass first time, since NY charges $140 each road test. I would rather not enhance the state coffers any more than necessary.

To be honest though, after attending the classroom portion of my school, at this point I would definitely not recommend paying for your own schooling. Not that I leaned in that direction beforehand, but seeing the class part definitely reinforced it. I’m hoping the driving portion changes my mind, but honestly I doubt it. Sage may be a great school, but the one in Rome at least is extremely disorganized, and what we learned in class was nothing I didn’t already learn in the Hogh Road training, other than looking up regulations.

For any driver planning to go OTR, I would definitely choose a company school, and I believe there were a couple that would put you on a regional or dedicated run out of school.

I never said anything about it being a small company. I said the training class is small. That's why I chose Millis. Again I'm not trying to be a no it all but I'm 💯 on that fact. Studies have proven smaller student to teacher ratio is more beneficial in learning.

Bulldozer wrote as a reason for choosing Millis...

But most importantly because the class size.

Bulldozer, Millis may well be your best choice; but I’d suggest that “size” or lack there of is at best an assumption.

Millis is no different than the Mega-Carriers in that they expect safe and efficient drivers. And they expect their rookies to show consistent improvement and the ability to learn from mistakes. It’s about performance; that’s where it begins and ends, and is consistent throughout the industry.

For instance I am a Swift driver assigned to a NE Regional Dedicated Walmart account. I will celebrate my six year anniversary this coming February. Swift employs 18,000 drivers throughout the lower 48. At no time have I ever felt like a number. Never. During my first 6 months (especially) I never lacked for quality and consistent support. The extent of my day-to-day relationships are focused on about a half dozen support people. 1 operations coordinator, 4 driver leaders and 2 planners. They all interact with me professionally and respectfully. I feel like an important and integral part of a cohesive/effective team; NOT a single driver lost on the mass of the other 17,999.

Swift’s size can actually be beneficial; I never sit, many times have my pick of available runs (something I have earned) and the ability to run for short periods outside of my assigned territory if I need a change of scenery. Swift like any other company treats their top-performing drivers like gold. Although this is earned, the same opportunity is available to drivers at any company.

For the purpose of everyone reading this post, please provide a bit more information supporting your premise that a smaller sized company is somehow beneficial to a new driver. Again I am in no way suggesting Millis is the wrong decision; however their size should be the least important criteria affecting your decision.

You are both absolutely wrong. Studies have proven smaller student to teacher ratio is more beneficial in learning due to less distractions from other students. I'm not trying to be a jerk it's just fact's.

I completely agree with G-Town on this. I myself work for Knight Transportation, arguably one of the largest trucking companies around now that Swift and Knight merged under the KNX Holdings umbrella. I also serve a dedicated account, and have just a few people in the company I interact with. I find I am well known to others within the company, oftentimes without my even knowing them.

I understand where you're coming from with your thoughts on getting more focused attention in class, but to be honest it's not going to benefit you. The objective of schooling is to obtain your CDL. Students from a small class get the same CDL as students from a large group class, but they are still woefully unprepared for what comes next.

We are not trying to denigrate your decision or your preference. We're pointing out the simple fact that class size, though perhaps a personal preference of yours, is not something that should be considered as critical to success at trucking.

You have to follow your heart, Regional is not much of a difference than OTR. If you're going to be a truck driver you can't have something holding you back at home. You need to be able to focus on the job and not what's going on back home. This is why I did not start this career 20 years ago. I wanted to but had 2 children and that would of been hard being away. I'm talking just for me so I'm not saying this for anyone else's situation but if this your dream and a wife/girlfriend can't accept that than I wouldn't do it. Best of luck to you. I hope it works out for you.

Yep, and can't wait to move in. I'm so excited. I have been studying the High Road and watching videos on backing, Trip planning, HOS... ANYTHING really that I feel will be helpful. What I don't watch or read is driver's reviews. Thank you Trucking Truth for that nugget. I will admit when I first started thinking about trucking companies that is exactly what I was doing. I know I made the right choice going with Millis Transfer. How? Because they have a truck and a trailer, lol. Small class size is a plus, I know I will get the attention and not be forgotten about. They have nice equipment, great starting pay, dry van only and ohh can not forget to mention free Sirus xm radio and Direct TV with football package. But most importantly because the class size. Is it January yet!

I'm a father of two daughters and cannot stand when men talk perverted. It's disgusting and makes me feel uneasy. I have never been like that and that's because I have respect. I will be telling my trainer before we even get in a truck together to please respect me and not talk perverted or sexist, a joke here or there is fine but I'm not going to tolerate hearing disgusting talk every time you see a woman or your past sex partners etc.

What MTI location did you train at? I am starting Jan. 21st. In Richfield WI.

I have a question about time out and home time. I would like to run as long as possible. What's the limit on time out and what is max home time. Ex. 3 months out 1 day home for every 7 out 4 days a month× 3 is 12 home. There is probably a limit im assuming?