CFI Or Heyl Or Paper Transport As My First Job...

That will vary by person.

I was told that when I was a baby and my mother wanted to shut me up and get me to go to sleep, she put me on the washing machine.

The reefer noise didn't really bother me but I did like it better if I were hauling ice cream or produce and could therefore leave the thing run continuously. With other products, they want it to cycle and I didn't like that so much but it wasn't terrible. For one thing, I used my CPAP thing as a snorkel and buried my head into my sleeping bag and that was enough to cut the racket. Newer reefer units are much quieter than they used to be.

I'd say the reefers on other trucks bothered me more than the one behind me did, and that is going to happen to you at truck stops whether you're pulling one or not. So I would try to park between dry vans or flatbeds and if I had to be next to a reefer I tried to line up such that my bunk wouldn't be too close to their reefer.

This reminds me of something I disliked more than reefers though, and that is trucks without APUs that provide sleeper power by cycling the tractor engine. I did really dislike that which was part of the reason I went IC and got an APU. So that is going to vary by company...you could ask your recruiter about it if that is an issue for you, and current drivers for the companies you're considering.

Dave, I know you have many years of experience with reefers. If I decide to go with Heyl my biggest concern is noise they make. How bad is it in the night when you try to get some sleep?

CPAP:

Constant Positive Airway Pressure

CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.

Dry Van:

A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.

Reefer:

A refrigerated trailer.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Dave, I know you have many years of experience with reefers. If I decide to go with Heyl my biggest concern is noise they make. How bad is it in the night when you try to get some sleep?

You will get used to it and not pay attention to it. In fact, if it is running on Continuous and shuts itself off, you may just wake up to check it out. If you are a light sleeper, you may want to get the foam plugs that shooters use.

Laura

I am actually fine with constant noise. The fastest way for me to actually fall asleep is by watching TV.

CFI has a yard in Orlando if that's not to far for you. We haul dry van and now have a refer division called CFI Temperature Controlled.

If you change your mind and CFI is currently hiring from your area, come get paid to see the country.

Whatever way you go, be safe and successful.

Thanks Big Scott. I am big fan of CFI as well. Riding with Dave on YouTube has inspired me. Just completed everything but for some reason recruiter doesn't answer the phone anymore nor she calls me back. I've left two voicemails within the week and still waiting for her to get back to me.

CFI has a yard in Orlando if that's not to far for you. We haul dry van and now have a refer division called CFI Temperature Controlled.

If you change your mind and CFI is currently hiring from your area, come get paid to see the country.

Whatever way you go, be safe and successful.

Emailing them is best.

Scott, Just done that too. I know everyone is busy but hopefully she gets back to me soon. I am wondering which one of these 3 offers best employee benefits. Health insurance one of the most important. There's companies whose HI is useless, everything basically goes on you until you meet either very high deductible or max out of pocket. I have heard Paper Transport health insurance is very bad, known nothing about CFI or Heyl and of course employer won't tell you in advance until you start working for them, so any info is very much appreciated. Thanks.

Anyone please and thanks so much.

Emailing them is best.

I just did an interview with a random driver at a truck stop. He got trained at CFI over a decade ago, bought a truck and is still.there.

CFI Driver: Not Just a Starter Company

I just did an interview with a random driver at a truck stop. He got trained at CFI over a decade ago, bought a truck and is still.there.

CFI Driver: Not Just a Starter Company

THAT was awesome; thanks for sharing! (Scott says so, too!)

Be patient. With CFI, you can go from waiting to are you ready to head to Joplin very fast. Get your DOT medical and petit test done while you're waiting. Get and save receipts for them as CFI will reimburse you for them. Also get your hazmat background check started. Save receipts for that too.

Our health insurance is with BCBS and is better after your first year. They have health, vision, dental, life, long and short term disability as well as pet insurance. I have all but the pet insurance. I have it for my wife and myself. I have a plan with an HSA with what I choose to put in there each week and the levels of insurance I chose I pay $256.33 per week. CFI also contributes to my HSA every week.

My benefits would be much less if it was just me.

Hope that helps a bit.