Profile For MEH

Hey Rick,

I apologize, I am not the best at explaining things sometimes. So let me try again lol.

1. I currently work for a company that uses Penske Rental Trucks for deliveries. Starting at six pallet trucks and going to 12 pallet trucks. It depends on your licensing which trucks you drive. I am allowed to use the 12 pallet truck on the day I go to get my CDL-B which all I need to do is study for and take a road test here in PA. I love the company I am currently with but they are a smaller business with no more then 60 trucks and that's in full swing which for us is summer. I do not want to do OTR as I am still pretty green in recovery. I would however like to do regional where I am home on weekends if that is possible or just switch to construction dump truck driving. It just depends what I can find.

2. I am definitely a GREEN recruit lol. I have only been driving six months and box trucks are a million times diffrent then the semi's which is what I ideally want to drive. I am here for any and all feedback available. Would it be possible to speak to you over the phone? I dont have any connections hear really. My number is 717-475-2890. Thank you in advance. I apologize for the confusion.

We do things IN THE CLEAR here - that is - on our discussion threads - so that EVERYONE MAY BENEFIT from the responses.

Now I'm confused.

You have a company you are driving CLASS B for, that you can DRIVE CLASS A - if you get a Class A CDL?

Or are you looking to go "over the road" with a different company?

Just going to school and getting a Class A - does not an "experienced driver make". You will still be a green recruit.

If you are trying to get a "state grant" for school - on the prospect of job offers in the industry - NO ONE HERE can make that offer - we are ALL EMPLOYEES (those of us who are driving).

At this point - I have ZERO IDEA what your "endgame" is here - so I really have no further advice I can offer...

Rick

Rick THANK YOU SO MUCH! I didnt know anything really about all you shared. Would it be possible for us to speak over the phone? My phone number is 717-475-2890. I apologize for making another post without seeing these. I am not use to operating on the site yet.

So I've continued with the straight/box truck company and am now applying to a school in PA. Just waiting to see if I get approved for funding. I just celebrated 10.5 months sober so everything should definitely be out of my system now. I'm so stoked and excited. I'm also nervous and all that to. I'm going to a cheaper school called Shelly. What companies are good to start driving with?

Don’t go until you’re sure you are clean. I know of a few ppl who somehow did some hocus pocus and got a clean test. I know of plenty more who seemed “shocked” that the test found x or y in their system.

Congrats on your 10.5 months - you should be good to go on any substance testing.

Thank you so much for the AMAZING message! Yes it is AMAZING to know I can pass any and all tests. I will look at to starting my own thread. I have know idea how to. Unfortunately the company I currently work for does not sponsor or have a CDL training program. We are aloud to use the trucks to get our CDL-B but not A. That is why I chose a private school. Also they state may pay for my training at the private school that is way cheaper and does not require me signing another contract with a different company then who I work for which currently I don't plan on leaving but will still look at my options. I am going to start a thread to see if three people would not mind me interviewing for my application to the state. Its short and just a couple questions and does not require personal info. Just truck driver name, company name, if the company is currently hiring, if the driver had any formal training, what their current employer is looking for when they decided to fill said position, and what background checks are done for the company the current driver works with. Let me know with if any one would not mind taking some time to speak with me. Please text or call my cell at 717-475-2890.

So I've continued with the straight/box truck company and am now applying to a school in PA. Just waiting to see if I get approved for funding. I just celebrated 10.5 months sober so everything should definitely be out of my system now. I'm so stoked and excited. I'm also nervous and all that to. I'm going to a cheaper school called Shelly. What companies are good to start driving with?

Don’t go until you’re sure you are clean. I know of a few ppl who somehow did some hocus pocus and got a clean test. I know of plenty more who seemed “shocked” that the test found x or y in their system.

Huge congrats on your sobriety ~!!!! That's KUDOS worthy, for sure. Feels GOOD to know you can pass ANY and ALL tests they can throw your way, doesn't it?!?!? That in itself is a pat on the back moment...forever!

Any reason you want to go to a private school, paid partially or not, in lieu of company paid training? (Does your straight/box driving job offer further education, in obtaining your CDL? MANY do. . . )

Have you seen THESE links?

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

And furthermore:

Paid CDL Training Programs

Apply For Paid CDL Training

Trucking Company Reviews

Again, CONGRATS~!!! (Can't make that word do the balloons and whatnot like Facebook, sorry!)

PLEASE start a thread of your own, and keep us in the loop; ask questions, and BE ONE with this wonderful website, along your journey! You've got ME following, good sir!

~ Anne ~

So I've continued with the straight/box truck company and am now applying to a school in PA. Just waiting to see if I get approved for funding. I just celebrated 10.5 months sober so everything should definitely be out of my system now. I'm so stoked and excited. I'm also nervous and all that to. I'm going to a cheaper school called Shelly. What companies are good to start driving with?

Don’t go until you’re sure you are clean. I know of a few ppl who somehow did some hocus pocus and got a clean test. I know of plenty more who seemed “shocked” that the test found x or y in their system.

Thanks for responding! I want to know everything I can about Wilson Logistics as it has one of the highest ratings for a trucking company through indeed reviews from employees and driver's. I want to know what to expect, pay range, schedule, and more. I'd like to make sure I prequalify for it all before really going all the way in. In regards to the five year hair follicle, I spoke with Swift directly who stated if you have drank alcohol or used other drugs in the past five years that it would show up.

Hello Everyone, I hope you are doing well and staying safe. I haven't posted much yet but am only getting started. I recently left the medical field and became large box truck driver for an organic produce company about a month and a half ago just to see if I would remotely like the field. I am in love with it. I make decent money, get free organic produce, and so much more. I drive all over the upper east coast and am home daily. I work four days or five days a week and overtime is optional. Which I take of course. Anyways my plan is to, towards the end of the year sign on board with a trucking company that has their own CDL a training program. Now I have done a lot of research however I only know what I know. I need your experience strength and hope to make the correct decision. I have to talk with a couple recruiters from multiple different companies. one of the companies that was high on my list to work for was Wilson Logistics. however when I called them the recruiter I spoke to was not very pleasant, kind of arrogant, and basically told me it would cost me $46,000 for him to give me information about the program which makes absolutely no sense. It really brought me down Wilson Logistics was one of my top choices. I don't want to be just another number to a company and I want to make good money what trucking companies do you recommend? Please keep in mind if you read my previous post I am an addict in recovery. I can pass a regular drug screen however a hair follicle may be a little difficult as some of them go back 5 years. I look forward to reading your responses! Have a great day!

What's new how's Prime going?

Michael,

I am in the PSD phase just waiting for a flatbed trainer, but spending a TON of time on the practice pad WATCHING backing.

Maybe today I'll get to drive?

Check the diaries section for all the details.

Rob.

What's your update? How's it going?

Rick says:

A number of members here, have had their orientations PUSHED BACK - because of the current COVID-19 situation.

My Prime orientation was pushed back from March 23 to April 6, and as of today, April 8.

I will also add that Prime is not taking anyone from any of the "hotspots," although they didn't give me a list. I haven't been out of my house essentially since March 13 and haven't interacted with anyone other than immediate family members. So I didn't need a list to say "no." There are several other questions they asked after Coronaggedon began that an affirmative answer to those most likely would have nixed my orientation slot.

BTW, so far Prime only had me do a urine test.

Good luck.

Hello Everyone,

So I will be upfront and honest. I am switching careers from medical to OTR driving. I am an addict in recovery. I have been clean for awhile but worried about potentially not passing a fair follicle test. What companies offer just urine testing and CDL Training? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Disrespectful comments are not necessary as you don't know me or my life and I don't know you or your life. Thank you!