I Live In Fort Worth Texas. Which Company For A Rookie?
Topic 22395 | Page 1
Where terminals are at is irrelevant. As an example, I live in Clarksville, TN. The company I work for has a single terminal and it is in Amherst, WI. That is about a 11 hr drive.
What matters is what companies have freight going thru or in your area.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
I drive reefer for Prime and am down there all the time. freight is great in TX ;)
Prime school is free if you work a whole year. Once you go to orientation, you are thrust into the OTR lifestyle, so as Patrick said, the location doesnt matter. You dont go to a daily school...you actually go out with a trainer and deliver loads with your permit before going for your exam.
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CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
As you may know I was trained by and drive for CFI. The training is 100% free after you stay here 1 year. It goes quick. We have a small terminal in Wilmer, TX. Without traffic, it's less than an hour from Fort Woth. With traffic, it can be a three day drive. Lol. We also have a Terminal in Laredo and a couple of drop yards in Texas. Just about every company has plenty of freight in Texas. Good luck.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Many companies provide CDL training. You know the school costs money, so every company that has schools will get a commitment from you, usually for one year or so.
Yes, Swift puts you on a contract, and gets you to school. But then when you start your career and you begin making payments, Swift pays you, too. So in one year, you are out-of-pocket $1090, not the $3400 you signed for. Plus, stay with Swift another year, they will pay even this back to you.
But at any rate, school location is not important, you're only there for the 4 +/- weeks for training. Swift gets you a (shared) hotel room. Even your "home terminal" is not important, like Patrick describes. Swift's terminal close to you is probably Lancaster, south of Dallas.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Thanks y’all ! I appreciate the info !
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Hello folks, I'm 30 years old, and I want to get into trucking. I have a medical certificate, and also thinking of taking all my tests for my CPL. I don't know which company to go to. So far.... Swift and Raider Express are the only one's being close to home. Raider express is advertising that their CDL is free and I could leave at any time. Swift however is a bit far in Corsicana Texas, and I will have to pay for their academy. Which company is better? What are your opinions? I know starting out won't be peaches and cream, and it won't be easy, but I would like to know which company is better in ya'lls opinions ? Thanks
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: