Can You Let Me Know Where You Got Your Training?

Laura sorry to hear about you being laid off, can't believe that they just said whoever is driving these trucks coming off lease are done and didn't do a little better evaluation on the person behind the wheel that was let go. If that is how the company operates I wonder how long they can stay afloat. Best of luck to you and enjoy the well deserved time off.

James this is an example of the industry right now, getting a foot in the door is what you need. There are two companies you can look into as they do company sponsored CDL training Halvor Lines in Superior, WI and Magnum trucking in Coon Rapids, MN. What their current qualifications are I am not sure but may be an option.

People aren't buying stuff...only essentials. They're hanging onto their money until at least the election. I think if a Democrat/Biden gets elected again, people won't be buying anything at all!

My company with 80 trucks has apparently been letting some drivers go. Just this morning, 10 of us that were in older trucks (2020, 2021) were laid off. My load planner, left two weeks ago but now I think she was laid off also. I sent her a text message just a bit ago to see if that is what happened. All these older trucks will be turned in this week back to the leaser. So, my brother in IL is coming to get me here in MN and run me to Idaho. I am going to apply for unemployment and take advantage of that for about a month. Then, I will see if I want to get back on the road doing over the road or even regional. I may just retire because in a little more than 2 months I will be 73. It's just that my social security won't make a house payment and other standard bills. So we'll see, but I'm not jumping into anything right away.

Laura

Hi Nuts,

I know the MSM has been lying to everyone about how the economy is. I wonder if someone pays them to lie? Anyway, I'm on X (Twitter) and there's a lot of people pointing out the truth that's really in front of everyone's face. I mean, look at all the prices for food? Look at the price of gas? I keep hearing things are getting better, but I certainly don't see it.

I should have figured out earlier on that if everything is so damn expensive out there then that must be affecting the trucking industry. It was really as simple as adding 1 plus 1. I think I was just being stupid or blind or both. Maybe sub-consciencely, I didn't want to know the truth. I don't know. All I know is what I know now and that is terrible what happened to Laura. I can't imagine what she's going through, but it's great to see that she's got people here who cares about her and her situation.

As much as I really want...need....friends like you all in real life; not just co-workers, but real friends; I think my dream of becoming a trucker might be coming to an end. I'm going to keep trying, but I'm reminded of the saying, "Stop beating a dead horse."

All I can do is keep trying my best to get in somewhere and pray. Everything else is out of my hands.

I'll keep trying, but I think I'm going to start applying to stores near me. Not really sure what else to do.

Prime is an excellent company BUT you also go 3-ish weeks with a trainer on the road with your permit without pay. You can get an advance up to $200/week that gets repaid after you have your CDL. After you have your CDL you run teams with a trainer for 40 to 50,000 miles combined earning $700 to $800 a week. Just throwing that out there as you've mentioned your financial situation. Prime has perhaps the longest training programs in the industry and I believe Wilson modeled their program after Prime.

I see Werner also helps get your CDL from your area just be cautious of ANY carrier that mentions any type of DOLLAR account (tree/general/family dollar). CRST does still provide CDL Training at their Cedar Rapids yard. I had several store deliveries in the area Saturday and advertising for it was plentiful.

Did you look into distribution centers (warehouses) in your general vicinity? Often times companies that aren't trucking companies but use trucks to move their own products/goods consistently provide paid CDL training. Think grocery stores, Walmart, auto part stores (NAPA). It's slow for now but even working the dock at an LTL carrier would get your foot in the door

Rob T, let's be honest here.

SOME of Primes students are trained on the pad. Kearsey was pad based for a while if I remember correctly. Prime policy is you must be with them for 14 days, before you are eligible to test. I tested, and trifecta-d on day 15.

Yes, you are "loaned" $ (3 years ago it was 200/week) while you are in PSD training. How fast you move on from that phase is wholly dependant on the student, and their ability. With the changes in backing that is required to pass, it's a heck of a lot easier to pass now too.

TNT phase is historically longer with Prime than other companies. This isn't necessarily a bad thing either. You would have to get with recruiting to get the exact and current numbers.

If we are going to spout off "info" it better be correct.

I haven't looked back to see, but have you checked with Knight and swift? Both are excellent companies to start with, are hiring and we have a lot of successful drivers here from both.

As I mentioned before, I'm not sure of Swifts program but I do know Knights.

Up to you, but if you really want to get into the industry, ask yourself what you'll do to accomplish it.

If we are going to spout off "info" it better be correct.

I apologize for sharing information that I've seen discussed here fairly recently from Prime drivers here 🤷‍♂️

Also Prime inc. Website states,among other things,

STEP THREE RECEIVE INSTRUCTION Work 1-on-1 with an instructor while you learn how to drive a semi truck. You’ll get practice with the necessary components of your CDL exam along with experience hauling freight.

STEP FOUR PASS YOUR CDL EXAM Once your training is finished, you’ll return to a Prime training center to take your state CDL exam. Those who pass on their first try will receive a $250 bonus.

Are you really hauling freight if you're just on the pad? Why do you need to return to a training center if you never left?

James, the weekly pay guarantee is now $900/week if you're available for dispatch. Prime Inc also currently requires 50,000 team miles with a trainer during the 2nd phase.

Hey all,

I'm not sure if this is a stupid question or not, but are their ANY trucking companies that offer a CDL-A training program that you know of that does NOT use Tenstreet (Driver Pulse)? Just 1?

I texted my instructor from Millis and he said that all the companies that I've applied to need to do is look at my "History" on there and they will see I went through Millis. He said it's then up to them if any of them want to take a chance to, not so much re-train me because I fully understood my training, but give me just a little more time behind the wheel. That's all I really needed. He thought with another couple of days.....I would have been able to get all 6 backs.

So, does anyone know of any trucking companies that have CDL-A training and doesn't use Tenstreet (Driver Pulse)?

Thanks!

Quick update: I just got a text from a recruiter from CRST. He said they no longer offer CDL schooling or training. He said that t0 work for CRST that I would need 6 months of recent OTR experience in my area before they would consider hiring me.

I guess I go over the list of companies I've applied for so far.

CRST - No training available anymore.

Swift - Completed application on 5/7

Roehl - Completed application on 5/2. They said I should get a call from them in 3 business days. No call as of yet.

Wilson Logistics - Will not train me because I needed to have picked Wilson Logistics first. Well, that's what their recruiter told me.

U.S. Xpress - Completed application 1 week ago. Nothing from them.

PAM Transport - Had completed an application right before I went to Millis.

Once again, if anyone knows of a trucking co. that does not use Tenstreet (Driver Pulse), PLEASE let me know! Thanks!

Quick update: I just got a text from a recruiter from CRST. He said they no longer offer CDL schooling or training. He said that t0 work for CRST that I would need 6 months of recent OTR experience in my area before they would consider hiring me.

I guess I go over the list of companies I've applied for so far.

CRST - No training available anymore.

Swift - Completed application on 5/7

Roehl - Completed application on 5/2. They said I should get a call from them in 3 business days. No call as of yet.

Wilson Logistics - Will not train me because I needed to have picked Wilson Logistics first. Well, that's what their recruiter told me.

U.S. Xpress - Completed application 1 week ago. Nothing from them.

PAM Transport - Had completed an application right before I went to Millis.

Once again, if anyone knows of a trucking co. that does not use Tenstreet (Driver Pulse), PLEASE let me know! Thanks!

Forgot to add this:

Prime Inc. - Completed application 3 days ago. Nothing from them.

One more quick update. Just applied to Maverick Transportation.

Well, I just got an email from Roehl:

Dear James,

Thank you for your interest in Roehl Transport.

The responses you provided were evaluated against the requirements for the role.

Unfortunately, we are unable to proceed at this time.

You are welcome to reapply in the future.

We appreciate your interest.

Roehl Transport

I would love to know what response(s) were against their requirements.

Maybe I bugged Melissa too much, I don't know. I don't know if I should say anything at all to all the other companies I applied for or just wait. What do you all think?