Profile For CHOWSIR

I appreciate the enthusiasm and passion in all the comments. I am use to climbing telephone poles and ladders, working in all kinds of weather conditions. I wanted a physical job like flatbed or tanker. It was what my plans were to begin with. Most companies, as stated, don’t let newbies start there. I’m thankful that Schneider has the program. I wish I lived in a hiring area that had a tanker division. My hopes are that the customer demands and customer growth will reach towards my home. I am taking the opportunity to start with tankers as very fortunate, and with a lot of respect, humility, and commitment to learning the safe way.

I can’t say enough how much your comments are helpful to me. Thanks to all!

I just got a job offer to join the Schneider National Bulk Division, as an OTR Tanker driver. Orientation starts June 25. It’s a unique position called Jet Set. Where I slip seat and fly into different locations every time I go back out.

Anyone doing this? I would like to get some pros and cons.

Thanks

Yessir! I took a couple of days off from my day job, and the school allowed students to train on weekends. Adding those extra hours of training, I was able to start my training April 16th and graduate on May 19th. Otherwise it would have been about 7 weeks.

CHOWSIR

Congrats, but I am a bit confused by your timeline. You said just over a month ago that you were starting night school and a month later, you said you got your CDL? Did you change and go to school fulltime?

Safe Travels

Got my CDL today! Passed the test on Saturday, many thanks to Utah Trucking Academy!

Looking at Schneider.

Very interested in flatbeds, tanker, and those big sign-on bonuses companies are offering right now.

I took a few days to find out about the Pre-Hire letter process. Now I have several in the working . I start CDL training this evening in Salt Lake City. The folks at the school seemed genuinely nice and knowledgeable. Ed Godfrey, my cousin, has been very helpful with his experience, along with his wife Selena. Thanks to them as well as those who responded to my questions.

My goal is to drive flatbed or tanker for the first year, so I can have that experience for the future as an O/O team with my spouse.

Many thanks for your comments and knowledge! If you are willing please respond to the following information I have found out.

Utah Trucking Academy, located near SLC International Airport, has a night program that is 175 hours long. 40 hours classroom and 135 hours driving. 6p-10p.

I am trying to find out their credentials, and going to visit their campus this afternoon. They seem to have a program setup with companies like KNIGHT, WERNER, GODFREY TRUCKING, COVENANT TRANSPORT, to name a few.

I do understand the PT effect you described. Just not sure I am prepared to go 3-4 weeks without a paycheck.

More about the pre-hire letters, is that something you have a draft in, or do the companies provide that is they are willing. I have some research to do on that.

Thanks again.

Welcome to the forum Brian...

I will offer my opinion based on personal experience and that observed through others. Likely not what you want to hear, but none-the-less; honest.

It takes about 3-3.5 weeks of formal "certificate" based schooling to learn just enough necessary to pass the CDL tests; PTI, Yard Skills and Road Skills. 160 hours. Paid CDL Training Programs offer that in an accelerated curriculum, with minimal up-front out of pocket costs, and all but guarantee a job once graduated, with the CDL.

As follows: Why I Prefer Company Sponsored Training

Anything more than the "160 hours" is typically unnecessary and costly to the student. I am not a proponent of going to trucking school part-time (PT). I believe it's the sort of thing that requires a 100% dedicated focus, limited distractions and a well-rested mind and body. IMO it (trucking school) doesn't lend itself well to a protracted/extended process. Simply put, I believe a PT student spends a good percentage of their time re-priming their pump so to speak, reviewing or relearning material covered in the previous 2 hr. class a week or 3 days prior. Initially skills learned and practiced need to be quickly put into action, otherwise they are soon forgotten. You are paying for that extra time.

That said, I completely "get" the issues of putting your life and income stream "on-hold" while you become a full-time trucking academic. We've had folks on here that have gone the part-time route and succeeded brilliantly. So it is possible, but you need to be a special breed able to commit to the "go-stop, now go again" nature of PT schooling. Susan D specifically comes to mind and if I recall correctly she had a similar scenario. She is now a full-time driver trainer for West Side Transport. Great lady, a fine example of what can be accomplished when you keep your eye on the prize and never waiver from your goals.

My suggestion if you must go the PT schooling route? Take a good look at the companies found here: Trucking Company Reviews offering to hire and train entry level drivers. So to be clear; fresh out of school your skills are very basic; 99.9% of any company hiring you will want you to take finish training or AKA road training to hone those skills and begin to develop the trucker mindset.

Once you have compiled a short list of 3-4 companies; I suggest you send out pre-hire letter requests. Use these links to enable that process:

• Article: Understanding Pre-Hire Letters: The What, Why, And How Of This Important Step
• Trucker's Wiki: "Pre-Hire Letters"
• Forum Topics Tagged "CDL Pre-Hire Letters"

If at all possible try to line up a few pre-hires before committing to the school. Also check to see what type of job-placement services the school offers once you graduate. That too is valuable in assisting with getting the much coveted first driving job.

Good luck!

I've been working for telephone company for the last 18 years. Looking a change, I went and got my CDL Permit with Tanker, HAZMAT, and Doubles/Triples.

I want to keep my telco job while getting my CDL training. I work and live just North of Salt Lake City now. I'm looking for CDL Training in the evenings and/or weekends.

I need to sell my Motorhome before I can go full time trucking.

My goal is to get my permit (done), get my Class A CDL, TWIC, Passport, all while getting experience driving safely, learning all I can about the operation of the tractor, how to care for the tractor, and how to do basic maintenance to avoid larger problems down the road.

I used the High Road CDL Training Program, here on truckingtruth.com to help me learn the information to prepare for the Utah CDL permit and the 3 endorsements!

Thanks, Brian

Thanks for the information. I'm looking into the Trucking Industry. I just got my DOT on Thursday. I'm taking my CD Permit on Monday. Hoping all goes well. I have been researching a bunch of companies, including Roehl (which looks great). So what info that is presented on their website is correct, over-exaggerated? What was the reasons you went with Roehl? Good luck! Thanks again.

Hey all,

So the adventure has begun. Left my home in Charleston, SC on Easter Sunday and made my way to Comfort Suites in Stockbridge, GA..

Day 1 (Mon) I arrived at the terminal in Conley, GA the following morning at 6:30 and met my trainer. The first day was pretty much a paperwork drill, agility test and pretty much a "this how Roehl does it" day.

Day 2 (Tue) Arrived at the terminal at 6:30 am and continued with more videos on safety, maps, logs and other administrative type stuff.

Day 3 (Wed) Arrived at the terminal at 6:30 am and discussed pre-trip. We went out to the yard conducted a pre-trip and then began driving the tractor around the yard. This allowed us to get comfortable in the in and around the truck, in the seat and doing a little shifting. After lunch we continued driving but instead of driving in the yard we went out on the road. After a few hours of driving we made our way back to the terminal. I had a lot of fun driving the tractor and look forward to driving more on Day 4.

Day 4 (Thu) Arrived at the terminal at 6:30, discussed the previous day and what the plans were for the current day. We spent most of the day driving around the local area. A lot less grinding of gears when downshifting and no grinding up-shifting. Man, this is fun.

Day 5 (Fri) Arrived at the terminal at 6:30, waited for the sun to come up and conducted pre-tirp. The class was split in two groups of two, each with their own instructor. We hooked up to a trailer and off we went. We spent the morning driving with the trailer then came back to the terminal for lunch. After lunch we watched a few videos on turning and then went back out on the street for a couple more hours. Practically no grinding now; a small victory, me vs. 7th gear!! When we returned to the terminal we watched some videos on backing and did some map exercises. Tomorrow we begin straight backing.

So far I am really enjoying this training. The instructors at Roehl are great! They know what they are talking about, they take the time to answer all our questions and they WANT us to be successful. All the instructors are extremely positive!

Hey all,

So the adventure has begun. Left my home in Charleston, SC on Easter Sunday and made my way to Comfort Suites in Stockbridge, GA..

Day 1 (Mon) I arrived at the terminal in Conley, GA the following morning at 6:30 and met my trainer. The first day was pretty much a paperwork drill, agility test and pretty much a "this how Roehl does it" day.

Day 2 (Tue) Arrived at the terminal at 6:30 am and continued with more videos on safety, maps, logs and other administrative type stuff.

Day 3 (Wed) Arrived at the terminal at 6:30 am and discussed pre-trip. We went out to the yard conducted a pre-trip and then began driving the tractor around the yard. This allowed us to get comfortable in the in and around the truck, in the seat and doing a little shifting. After lunch we continued driving but instead of driving in the yard we went out on the road. After a few hours of driving we made our way back to the terminal. I had a lot of fun driving the tractor and look forward to driving more on Day 4.

Day 4 (Thu) Arrived at the terminal at 6:30, discussed the previous day and what the plans were for the current day. We spent most of the day driving around the local area. A lot less grinding of gears when downshifting and no grinding up-shifting. Man, this is fun.

Day 5 (Fri) Arrived at the terminal at 6:30, waited for the sun to come up and conducted pre-tirp. The class was split in two groups of two, each with their own instructor. We hooked up to a trailer and off we went. We spent the morning driving with the trailer then came back to the terminal for lunch. After lunch we watched a few videos on turning and then went back out on the street for a couple more hours. Practically no grinding now; a small victory, me vs. 7th gear!! When we returned to the terminal we watched some videos on backing and did some map exercises. Tomorrow we begin straight backing.

So far I am really enjoying this training. The instructors at Roehl are great! They know what they are talking about, they take the time to answer all our questions and they WANT us to be successful. All the instructors are extremely positive!