Profile For Dylan H.

Dylan I drove a tanker OTR for Schneider up until recently. I left on good terms for a local dedicated account with US Xpress. Tankers are way more fun than Dry Van, I can tell you that. I miss my surge and I miss the open road too!

That's pretty cool! If things do not work out with Melton, Schneider Bulk is second on my list!

I wish relocation were not too much of an issue for me at this time, however, it is. If it were not, I would be down South, or out West seeking employment where it seems plentiful. Beggars cannot be choosers and we all have to start somewhere, right? Anyway, I'll dig a bit into CTL but like you said, I'd probably have to relocate to Florida. I will have to do some digging into TideWater as well; they seem to be a pretty decent company, however, they note that their minimum age requirement is 23 years of age. Thanks anyway! I appreciate the help.

Once I get my trucking career off, I will more than likely be looking into relocation for more job opportunities in the near and distant future.

I hope all is working well at US Xpress although based on your comment, I feel as though you'll be yankin' a tank once again sometime in the near future ;)

Be safe out there!

-Dylan

I know for a fact that this school has no accreditation's because the director doesn't see the point in making students pay the extra money for them, or so he says. He said that it is set to PTDI standards, however.

Actually that sounds rather plausible. The accreditations you can get for trucking are a joke. PTDI and a few others really mean next to nothing. They're just a set of guidelines someone developed. Then they charge the schools countless thousands of dollars every year just to put their PTDI emblem on the school's website so people think their working at a higher standard and can charge more. But they're not. So you can safely ignore PTDI.

But what you do not want to ignore is whether or not major companies are hiring from the school. You'll likely never find a school that all of the majors will hire from so don't be too concerned if you find some that won't. But there should be a nice list of major companies that will hire their students. And when you find an issue like they're having with Melton, ask both Melton and the school about it. See what's going on. It could have nothing to do with trucking or the training the students are getting. It could be something personal between Melton and the school. It could be a money grab where Melton wants a fee the school won't pay or vice versa. You never know what's going on behind the scenes. So investigate a little bit.

Thanks, Brett! I never really put much thought into why Melton won't accept SAGE. You're probably on to something! That's what I'm trying to do now: which is look for companies that will take the school(s) that I am looking into. Thanks for all the advice!

Dylan, under the drive hours you were told about the Maines school, it would be impossible for all four students to get 100 hours of pure drive time. Four drivers at 100 hours each is 400 hours. If the school is open 10 hours a day, five days a week, it would take eight weeks for all of you to drive 100 hours each.

I guess it would be possible if they ran the truck 24/7, but that's not probable.

At the school I went to, there were 4 of us students and we got there at 7AM and ended at 3PM. On some days we would do 1/2 day class and half day driving. On those days we would each drive maybe 45 minutes to an hour. On full driving days we each got about 1-1/2 hours driving. It was a six week class, 240 total hours (class and driving), so there was no way we each got 100 hours pure drive time.

You will also spend a considerable amount of time behind the wheel practicing backing. I would say that I spent more time behind the wheel backing than actual driving on the public roads.

BTW, I saw a Maines truck unloading this morning at a Wendys in LaPlace, La.

That's what I was thinking, as I thought about it more. It doesn't make any sense that each would get 100 hours. I'm sure it is very important to practice backing and especially turning. I have some more digging to do, and some more questions to ask. Thanks for the logical aspect. I was thinking likewise to you because it seemed to good to be true.

That's pretty cool! I thought most of it was regional, but I guess there are some OTR as well!

Thanks!

-Dylan

Hey Dylan. I'm afraid I've never heard of that company or their program so I can't help ya there.

But I'm really surprised at what you said about Sage. Their schooling is 150 hours? They're a chain of schools that has been around for a long time and I'm really surprised their program would be 10 hours short of the 160 hour limit many companies set. Are you certain about their training period? Also, did you ask them for a list of major companies that hire their students? Ask them who hires from them and then verify it yourself from home if you're interested in that school. If major companies will hire their students then you're generally OK.

But definitely speak with several of Maines Paper drivers before going through their schooling. Make sure it sounds like what you're looking for. Jobs that require a lot of unloading like that are indeed physically intensive but generally pay very well so it could be a good job if you feel it suits you well.

I was surprised myself, too. From what I recall, SAGE's director told me that it was 150 hour course. I can always call again to inquire about the information. I know for a fact that this school has no accreditation's because the director doesn't see the point in making students pay the extra money for them, or so he says. He said that it is set to PTDI standards, however.

Melton Truck Line's safety department said that they would not accept me from this SAGE school. The recruiter then went on to tell me that they've been having problems trying to get the safety department to accept a lot of SAGE schools lately.

I will definitely be doing a lot more research and digging into them! Thanks, Brett!

-Dylan

I see Maines all the time around the NYC Metro area and Philly Metro area and NJ. It'll be a physically intensive job as I believe the drivers do a lot of loading/unloading. Didn't know they do their own CDL training though. Best to try and get a hold of a Maines driver and talk to them.

Yeah, I didn't know that either, until my Uncle informed me. He went through their training in 1998, and drove for them for I believe almost 8 years. He said they work you a lot (both driving and loading/unloading), but the pay is really good and so is there equipment. He went there 16 years ago, so I'm sure some things have changed but he assured me it was a great school and place to work. I do not know if I will be going on with them, however, because they do not require you to sign a contract, nor seek employment through them. I'm thinking on either Melton Truck Lines, or Schneider Bulk. It's a tough call, but Melton is looking the best. I will see if I cannot track down a driver or two from them. It shouldn't be too hard. I have to go visit the school/company here soon for an interview anyway, so maybe then I will.

If you don't mind my asking, what company do you drive for, ThinksTooMuch?

Thanks!

Be safe out there!

-Dylan

Welcome aboard Dylan!

Well, from what you've told us you'll find two major limitations:

1) Not many companies hire people at 21 years old

2) Very few tanker jobs are open to inexperienced drivers

But of course there are exceptions to both, fortunately.

For starters, we have an excellent listing of Truck Driving Jobs. Have a look there to see what companies hire from your area. That will help get the ball rolling.

We also having a listing of some of the trucking companies that hire inexperienced drivers. That will give you a few more ideas.

To be honest I don't have a breakdown of which companies will hire at 21 years old. So you'll have to look that up on an individual basis.

Brett,

I notice that you are from/live in NY. I live in Binghamton, NY which is a bit far from you, but not entirely too far either.

I was wondering if you have heard of the trucking company: Maines Paper and Food Service Inc? It is out of Conklin, NY. They, also, offer company-based training that you do NOT need to sign a contract for, nor do you have to seek employment via them either. I was wondering if you have heard about this program? I have been in contact with their recruiter. She said that it is 5 weeks, 200 hours (100 hours of classroom, 100 hours of truck/field). There are 4 students in the class, and all of the students (4) are in the truck at the same time. She assured me that I would receive my 100 hours worth of drive time, as would the other 3 students (in other words, I get 100 hours, student 2 gets 100 hours, thereon and so forth). My other school that I am looking at (SAGE Truck Driving School in Binghamton-Endicott, NY) seems decent, but it is only 150 hours and most companies seem to want 160 hour classes; this school has already been denied by 2 that I am thinking of.

My only concern with the Maines Truck Driving Institute is the number of students in the truck, and if I will ACTUALLY receive my 100 hours worth of driving time. So, I just thought I'd pick your brain and see if you've heard of either (most importantly, the Maines Truck Driving Institute).

Thanks, again!

Forgot to mention Roehl they have flatbed, reefer, and van.

Also a good idea would be to go to a truck stop near your home and write down the companies you see often. And speak with the drivers to see if they are happy and if the company is a good fit for you.

Thanks, ThinksTooMuch. I appreciate the sound advice. I'll look into the companies that you mentioned, and will go to the nearest truck stop to see what company trucks are there! Thanks!

Welcome aboard Dylan!

Well, from what you've told us you'll find two major limitations:

1) Not many companies hire people at 21 years old

2) Very few tanker jobs are open to inexperienced drivers

But of course there are exceptions to both, fortunately.

For starters, we have an excellent listing of Truck Driving Jobs. Have a look there to see what companies hire from your area. That will help get the ball rolling.

We also having a listing of some of the trucking companies that hire inexperienced drivers. That will give you a few more ideas.

To be honest I don't have a breakdown of which companies will hire at 21 years old. So you'll have to look that up on an individual basis.

Thanks, Brett! I appreciate the advice, and will look into the links you so kindly gathered together for me. I appreciate it. Also, I have been doing a lot of the studying on the High Road CDL Training Course, along with the breakdown with the manual; it is a tremendous help, and I feel that I am learning a lot more, than just simply reading the manual. Thanks!

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum. I will be going through CDL school here shortly. Right now, I'm trying to compile a list of companies, for either tanker or flatbed, that hire recent CDL graduates. There are a few things that I am up against, for this:

1. I am 21 years of age.

2. I live in Binghamton, NY (about 30 miles from the PA border).

3. I am a recent CDL graduate, so I have no prior experience.

The school that I wish to go with is 200 hours long, so it should be vastly accepted by many companies.

I am not too concerned about home time or pay, but I would like to make a decent starting CPM rate if possible.

In all reality, I'm looking for a company that will hire me, and that I will be able to stay with for at least 1 year; in other words, I'd like a decent company.

Thanks for the views and responses; it is more than appreciated!