Comments By MrZ

It’s very interesting development. I think we are 20 years away from a fully viable self-driving truck. However, the technology is yet to be proven. How will they deal with tire blowouts? Bad weather where you could barely see the line markings on the road? How will they get fuel? How will the technology deal with accidents? Constant work construction with constant shifts in road pattern? Impatient four-wheelers on their cellphones? And most importantly, hackers? Look what is going on with the Colonial Pipeline. Can you imagine a hacker group having access to all of these trucks? They will wreck havoc, and create mass hysteria in the public. A hacker will turn an autonomous truck into an 80K pound weapon. Heck trains have better infrastructure to be fully autonomous and yet we don’t have self-driving trains.

The way I see it, is perhaps, something similar to current airplanes. My cousin works as a commercial pilot, and he was telling that basically the plane flights itself. The pilots are there to monitor the progress and they have hands-on input during takeoffs and landings, the rest of the flight the autopilot takes over. Therefore, I see autonomous trucks that will still need a driver behind the wheel monitoring that everything goes smoothly. Therefore, we will need a new breed of drivers, drivers that are more technology driven and savvy.

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.

CFI also hires out of South Florida. I’m in Miami and was invited by CFI to go to orientation and student training. So, for anyone in South Florida, talk to the recruiters, sometimes you’ll be surprised. I know I was. CFI was my first choice, and was pleasantly surprised when my recruiter told me that they indeed hire out of Miami (S. FL area). My neighbor owns a secured (gated entrance w/security guard) truck parking lot and he will allow me to park the truck and trailer there during my home time. We’ve negotiated a fair fee, and I communicated this to my recruiter at CFI and was told it would be no problem.

In Florida you take the hazmat test and then do the TSA background check. As a matter of fact, the fingerprints are taken at the DMV office.

Awesome report Nathan. You are already ahead of the game by having the right attitude. Much kudos to you. Good luck driver!

Hi Nathan, and congrats on your journey. I too signed up with CFI and will be heading out to Trainco May 16. Since I already have my CDL—I got mine in 2018 but never drove— CFI recommended that I do some refresher training. Thus, that is what I will be doing at Trainco for two weeks. I then head out to Joplin for orientation shortly thereafter. I’m from Miami, FL so I will be flying in from Miami to Toledo, OH on May 16. CFI will reimburse me for what it would have cost them to rent me a car from Florida to Ohio. My airline ticket was $130 bucks, the rental car, long with gas would have come out to $200, so it was cheaper to fly than drive. A win-win, I get to fly there and CFI saves money. See you in training, and good luck!

Edit: (I heard prime is good as-well but I’m in Florida).

Many companies hire north of I-4 - but EVEN MORE hire north of I-10.

I'm stuck in Fort Lauderdale - where pretty much NO ONE HIRES.

Rick

I’m in Miami and was hired by CFI. I received my CDL in 2018, but did not drive. CFI is sending me to Trainco in Ohio for a 2 week refresher course, and then onto Joplin for orientation and training. Schneider also hires drivers out of South Florida.

Great news. Welcome to the family. When will you get to Joplin?

I expect to be in Joplin to pick up a student later today or tomorrow.

You are jumping in at a time of great changes and growth for CFI. Best of luck.

Thank you Big Scott, I will be in Ohio until June 4th, I will then travel to Joplin and start orientation June 7th. As a matter of fact, I have been a long-standing lurker here on Trucker Truth, and I reading through your experience with CFI and doing research made the decision to join CFI that much easier. I’m 47 and a career changer. My son is leaving off to college and I’m pursuing my dream to drive across the country. I’m going to orientation with an open mind and with eagerness to learn as much as I can in order to be successful in this industry. This forum has been truly a magnificent research tool. I’ve read many many postings about CFI, and trucking in general. I can’t wait to get started and embark on my new journey.

Edit: (I heard prime is good as-well but I’m in Florida).

Many companies hire north of I-4 - but EVEN MORE hire north of I-10.

I'm stuck in Fort Lauderdale - where pretty much NO ONE HIRES.

Rick

I’m in Miami and was hired by CFI. I received my CDL in 2018, but did not drive. CFI is sending me to Trainco in Ohio for a 2 week refresher course, and then onto Joplin for orientation and training. Schneider also hires drivers out of South Florida.