Profile For Robert B.

The best thing to do though is pick the company that suits you best and find a way to make it work. You really, really want to stay with your first company for a minimum of one year. I can't stress that enough. If you learn your trade well and turn out to be an outstanding driver there's a very good chance you'll want to stick with the company for years to come.

Brett, Thank you. It took a second to realize that to be honest. The overall picture is way more important. This is something that I want to do for a long time, so who really cares about 3 or so initial weeks. I love this forum and am very appreciative.

Robert the companies you listed are all good companies, with some differences in their freight. I am partial to Roehl because I started there 4 yrs ago. Their training was top notch, as I am sure the others are also. Roehl has 3 seperate divisions to choose from depending where you live. Dry van, refer, flatbed/curtainside. Stevens is refer and so is will trans. Will trans from what I know pulls prime's freight primarily. Stevens has a dry bulk division but that is tx only from my understanding.

Refer can be alot of waiting time at grocers warehouses. I'll keep those thoughts to myself on those folks. Lets just say they never get in much of a hurry from my experience. Unless they have a good amount of drop/hook I personally would stay away from them. Just my preference. Dry van can have waiting around as well depending on the customer.

I would ask the recruiters about that issue.

They all run top notch equipment so thats not much of a factor. Which one has a terminal closest to your home??? It is always easier if your close enough to drop your tractor for service while your on home time. Your mechanics would sure appreciate it.

It's going to just come down to your petsonal preferences at this point.

Best of luck in your decision

Thank you for the input! Being new to this I hadn't thought about some the things you mentioned above. I am leaning towards Roehl I think at this point, or Wil-Trans/ Jim Palmer. After talking to Stevens on the phone, I wasn't too impressed with the info I was told compared to the info they sent me. The info they sent me said they would pay you while you get your cdl, but my recruiter said they will start paying you once you get your cdl and go out with a trainer. I'm sure most are like that. I just need to keep some kind of money coming in during training for bills.

I have done a lot of research, talked to recruiters, and read a lot of CDL training diaries on here and narrowed it down to these three companies; long story short is that I still can't decide on which company to get my cdl with through their training.

Roehl, Wil-Trans(Jim Palmer), or Stevens?

Any input is greatly appreciated. Also will take suggestions for other companies as well. I just need to be paid during training to keep things afloat at home.

Thanks guys and gals!

Brett (owner of the TruckingTruth.com site) wanted us to try something new to help all you out. So, we are opening up the floor for you to speak directly with a recruiter to answer any questions you might have. If it’s something about the training process – we will answer it directly. If it’s a question more of the lifestyle/day-to-day of trucking, we will get an answer from an experienced driver who has been through our training program for you. Our goal is for this to be a positive and helpful thread. So, how can we help???

I am looking to get my cdl and drive for a company. I have a dui from 12/2012. I was not driving, but had access to the keys. In CA, they call it "intent to drive." Long story short, everything else with me is good to go, license is in good standing, would I be able to sign on with PAM?