Need Help CFI Or Millis I Am Torn And Cannot Decide (Just Do Not Want To Take Anything For Granted Of Overlook Anything Important)

So far pay about the same Schooling approx. same cost, both come with auto restrictions, and require a 12mo. contract Everyone at CFI so far very nice just needed my permit and they will send rental to drive to school in Joplin MO which I finally was able to take the test Friday and passed but torn between these two employers So far very close, however where millis shines the terminal and school are in my home state and only a couple hours away from my home CFI no upfront cost Miliis 500 deposit which I have but just throwing that out there too If anyone knows more about these two or a better opportunity PLEASE SHARE, I really want to try to retire with my first choice I am 52 and that shouldn't be that hard to do One other thing I know cfi has teams millis doesn't not. My wife has also show interest in joining me if all goes well, and I could lease on with cfi if I should decide I know millis does not have teams but being so close to home almost cancels the team thing out...struggling here but can't keep dragging my feet it's now or never time I have been offered a good job in my field but so tired of it....plus I am afraid I am going to walk away for this opportunity and have regrets if continue in my previously chosen profession of 25 years. Always wanted to be a trucker, my uncle who was basically my father was one for 35 years and with my wife's interest as well it is hard not to consider changing careers this late in life, plus crawling under houses all day every day is not as fun or easy as it once was. Thank you again for any positive input or direction on my predicament

Wrangler, You still have a tough decision, but it's about the tiny, almost unimportant stuff. I have no experience with Millis, but have worked with CFI (brace yourself, Big Scott (CFI's biggest fan) should be along shortly. Like most companies, if you don't mess around, you will get the miles you want at CFI.

As for terminals, they are not the important thing and should not be a deal breaker. Old School rarely stops in to any company terminal because he does not have to. while at Swift, I do live close to the Memphis terminal. The best thing about that was I always had a place to park my truck when I stopped at home. That is really the big benefit. If your FM wants to see you, or you need to take some class, you will be routed to a terminal or wherever, for what you need.

For CFI teams, here's a two year old topic: CFI Team CPM? Big Scott? (Bear in mind those numbers are two years old.)

Thanks Errol!! I really appreciate it.

CFI will train you for free and reimburse your costs for permit test, hazmat and tanker endorsements, CDL cost, DOT medical and hazmat background. If they are still renting cars for your transportation they will reimburse the gas and any necessary tolls for that. Food and room during school is also covered.

They have rider policies and they love husband and wife teams. Husband and wife teams also get all that money in the same bank account. I think teams start at 27 cents per mile.

Also, team contracts are 6 months instead of a year.

CFI has been growing. We now have a temperature controlled division and are bringing in a bunch of current UPS drivers, not sure if their trucks will be rebranded as CFI or not. Still waiting for more news on that.

Hope all that helps.

I didn't train with either, but I drove for both companies. I made more money and saw more miles at Millis, but drove more areas of the country with Conway.

I work for Millis and have for about 2 years now. I started their school in Richfield Wi in February of 2019 I believe and graduated march 12 I think. I have a diary in the training section here somewhere. I love my job and love my company. Terminals were a major factor in my decision because I live on the south side of Chicago and most companies i contacted would not let me leave my truck at a Gary indiana truck stop (totally understandable, lol) when I go on hometime. So I picked richfield to do my schooling and to be my home terminal. Millis's school is amazing at richfield and I've heard good things about the other schools as well. I'm not sure where your from though. Class sizes were insanely small when I went. I had 5 and one left so we got lots of backing time and in truck experience. With covid they've actually cut that in half so it's a max of 3 students at the richfield school which is nuts for actual behind the wheel time. After graduation you go out with a trainer for 15k miles which usually ends up closer to 20k by the time u get your own truck because of scheduling and loads etc. Plus by the time 15k gets around you and your trainer are comfortable and you can get some fat checks by running as a team for a week or 2 while using 2 clocks. I was in my own truck in about 6 weeks I believe including 2 sometimes. While pot hole pete who also is with millis and did a diary around the same time as me took a bit longer (his diary is trash ignore it).

As far as miles go I dont run like a madman and I clear 2800 to 2900 weekly miles on average for the 2 years I've been here. We run a ton of heavy loads weather its beer loads or paper rolls but you get used to that. Great equipment, I started with a 2017 kenworth t680, last summer I got put in a brand new t680 and we dont usually let our otr and regional trucks get over 2 years old. If you got any other specific questions let me know.

Noob... thank you for the information...Millis just informed me that I live to close to the coast...never even filled out an application for them, but did give her my address when she asked... So that answeres that question.. I am right off the ocean but not sure why that would matter, but anyway the search continues.

Looking for a Driving Job isn't ever easy, I'd suggest do what is called a "fuel stop interview" it is usually done from watching drivers fuel then come into the fuel stop to sign their ticket to leave after getting stuff... it does work and is effectively a good way to get the "real" pro's and con's of any company... CFI I have herd nothing but good things about, Millis, I have herd some good and some bad, I have been owner Op for too long, cause I would suggest CFI, but this is me. a "fuel stop interview is the best option in my opinion. I wish I could help more.... be safe out there...

So far pay about the same Schooling approx. same cost, both come with auto restrictions, and require a 12mo. contract Everyone at CFI so far very nice just needed my permit and they will send rental to drive to school in Joplin MO which I finally was able to take the test Friday and passed but torn between these two employers So far very close, however where millis shines the terminal and school are in my home state and only a couple hours away from my home CFI no upfront cost Miliis 500 deposit which I have but just throwing that out there too If anyone knows more about these two or a better opportunity PLEASE SHARE, I really want to try to retire with my first choice I am 52 and that shouldn't be that hard to do One other thing I know cfi has teams millis doesn't not. My wife has also show interest in joining me if all goes well, and I could lease on with cfi if I should decide I know millis does not have teams but being so close to home almost cancels the team thing out...struggling here but can't keep dragging my feet it's now or never time I have been offered a good job in my field but so tired of it....plus I am afraid I am going to walk away for this opportunity and have regrets if continue in my previously chosen profession of 25 years. Always wanted to be a trucker, my uncle who was basically my father was one for 35 years and with my wife's interest as well it is hard not to consider changing careers this late in life, plus crawling under houses all day every day is not as fun or easy as it once was. Thank you again for any positive input or direction on my predicament

Ok..I made up my mind that since my first choice company said no because of living too far away that I was going to make a commitment today.

I have not spoken to Millis since getting my permit on Friday which according to them no permit and the deposit was the only thing holding me up. So I called them this morning just to let them know that I now have my permit. I also needed to know that I was understanding the information on what they were offering and required of me, because the email attachment that was sent from them was in excel, had microscopic print and each sentence was divided by the boxes in the xls file. I wanted to make sure I was reading everything correctly before I made a commitment to CFI or Millis. I had pretty much made up my mind to go with Millis only because they have a terminal within 3.5 hours of my home have decent reviews and are located in my home state. I was just torn because I really liked everyone at CFI and they are so professional. Upon calling the lady at Millis she says quickly that you are too close to the coast to hire and you mentioned that you did not like the manual restriction. We cannot hire you anyway, you are too close to the coast and are outside of our hiring area. I said ok, thanks and hung up.

I was like what a bummer, but ok maybe I was being pointed towards CFI for some reason. That is technically two NO's right out of the gate. So I contacted my recruiter at CFI to let her know that I finally had my permit and was ready to commit, she was on another call and the operator said she would have her call me back. Well after 3 hours passed. I remembered that the first company I had spoken to that said No because of where I live had mentioned that they had been burned several times over their training program and that they were a small company but would in fact let me know that the owner saying No was final and have not heard back from them as well. But if I wanted to move closer they would be happy to have me. So while still waiting on CFI I decided to send my contact with the first Co. of my choice an email stating that there were absolutely no hard feelings, that everything happens for a reason, that I appreciated their time, but I was taking another job offer.

My phone immediately rings and I think it is CFI, can you believe that it was my first Co. of choice letting me know that they had left a message a few days ago, that after reviewing me again, discussing it once again with the owner & the safety dept. that they had reconsidered and decided offer me training , with a job, if I can pass the tests , and learn to drive. I almost passed out, the whole time thinking that I missed a great opportunity, with a great company, great people, no manual restriction, great equipment. ect. great training program, ect.

Now I needed to call back to CFI and let them know what happened again wanting to be professional and courteous. I was not able to speak to my recruiter but explained my circumstances to the nice lady on the phone that I was sorry, but thankful, that I had not been able to get in touch with my recruiter and make a definite commitment, but I had already been accepted by another company before calling this morning and wanted to let them know that I would not be available for hire at this time. They send me an email each month to stay in touch, and I felt it was best to let them know that I would no longer be on their available to hire list as a professional courtesy. That I still thought they were great, but felt I needed to take this opportunity because it was a better fit for me and my family.

I can say that beyond the shadow of a doubt that CFI is a good company with integrity and class. She thanked me and was even excited to hear about my opportunity, and that she understood, nor did she blame me one bit for accepting the other offer... It is that good of a job offer. She also thanked me for letting her know that I would not need to be on the hire list. Then said she opened my file and was going to leave a note that stated that I was courteous enough to let them know and would still recommend me for hire. That if things did not work out, that they would still be happy to hire me. Now that is the professionalism, integrity and class that you expect from a multi-million dollar business.

If Millis had not said no I would have made a commitment to them today. If my recruiter at CFI had been available I would have made a commitment to her today. If I had not cared enough to contact my first choice out of professionalism and had committed to CFI and then they called I would have had to still honor my commitment to CFI for giving me a chance and for giving my word......It just goes to show if you trust in something bigger than yourself, treat others, the way you want to be treated, everything in fact does happen for a reason. Even though sometimes it doesn't feel that way.....

WoooooHooooo and thank the Lord, I am starting the second week of April with a great company, one that if I can do this job well , can retire with....Plus NO manual restriction on my CDL . That was important to me, also. I want to learn all I can learn and not start off with a restriction if I do not have too. I am still studying the heck out of the pre-trip just to make it easier for my new Co. to train me. Any other pointers to help me become a better trainee that you would like to share i would be grateful.

Who is this mysterious "first choice" company that seems to have everything you want? Curiosity is killing me!