Comments By Brandie W.

The only Ohio based outfit I've put in with so far is Millis-- since they are literally right up the road for me. Haven't heard anything back from those guys though-- and from what I understand, their starting classes are fairly small so, I'm not surprised.

I'll check into MAST.. and Wilson is the other one on my short list of 3 right now... also not as easy to find intel on as Prime.

I wish there was more easily findable intel on Veriha as a whole. Its just not a popular enough company, it seems. The training diaries here have been the most helpful resources I've found thus far.

Yeah.. at one point in time, I had 6 months of expenses saved up... then my husband got sick and that all went to hell in a handbasket. Right now we're barely squeezing-- but if I throw in some extra gig app shifts-- I can pull it off in a couple months, I think.

From what I've seen here and what I'm finding between here and Youtube-- it seems that, at least with Prime, you're going to be without a check for 3-5 weeks depending on how long it takes you to pass your CDL. I can't find as much about my other options because they just aren't as big as Prime and not as talked about all over the place (Veriha-- one of my other top choices-- was what gave me the fear of going to training and then failing-- there's a diary here where that happened to someone).

Newbie weighing in here....

I have yet to see a forum online that does NOT become toxic when politics get involved (particularly regarding Covid). The whole tone of this thread is a far departure from what the mission of this board is supposed to be.

While I don't support the notion of "censorship"... there are times when perhaps a thread should be ended in order to preserve the type of board you want to have (friendly, helpful, welcoming)

Just my 14 cents after taxes, fees, and regulatory charges.

Brandie, Speaking from experience, explore all the Trucking Truth info and links. Especially look at : "Links On Trucking Truth" I'm a elderly newbie, and much of what I have learned came from here. Some tough love, but nevertheless beneficial

And yes, you can get paid to train and pay your bills.

Oh I agree-- I've been lurking and reading for a couple weeks now. That's how I knew where to apply and which companies might work the best for my situation-- and its also how I knew that while they all have paid training, you don't get paid the first day you hit the ground, so I needed a GOOD idea of how long I'd be without a check (again-- I'm the main income for my household).

I'm leaning HEAVILY towards Prime.. just got done with the 21 page diary about it (thanks!!) and it looks like it might be a great fit overall.

Yep.. I'm an Ohio girl (just barely-- couple miles over the border).

Its good to see Ohio's reciprocity is finally worth something. I had a cosmetology license when I moved here-- and the reciprocity was such garbage that I just let it go.

Primes training was raised to $900. ($800 if you come in with a CDL)

Figure 1 week orientation. 2 weeks for driving and 1 week for testing. Will you use all that? Maybe not. Could you use longer? Yes. Better to be prepared. Truck repairs, wait for a trainer or other things do happen. The $200 per week is given at any ATM on the road.... So how would you deposit it to pay a bill? Western union that would cost more $?

I learned back on a manual. So I got to Prime September 21st and failed my test a couple times. I passed Oct 30. Got my first check a week later.

Unlike some other companies, prime will give you extra help to make sure you pass. The pretrip is the one thing you need to learn yourself... We can reach you tips but if you dont do it over and over to learn and memorize we cant help. Most people who fail do so because they didnt take pretrip seriously

Yeah-- that's what I was meaning about that $200 being for food, etc on the road. No real practical way to pay bills with it. So.. my smart money would be to make sure I have a month in reserves before I jump. So with that being said-- at what point do I start getting serious about applying-- I don't want to waste the recruiters time by bugging them too early.

Would I be correct to assume with you saying you learned back on a manual-- that they've gone automatic? I'm good either way-- but it certainly seems like it would be a lot more convenient on an automatic than a standard.

Another "dumb bunny" question.... In most of the blurbs I've read-- it mentions going back to the terminal to take your CDL driving test... so-- unlike the permit test, I can take the driving portion anywhere, and don't have to return to my home state to do it? Or am I misreading?

Hi Brandie, and welcome to our forum!

1- The amount you should save is really subject to your needs. That said, I can't speak to the particular training policies of every company. However, I started my career at Prime, and they are very good at making sure cash flow isn't one of your problems during training.

You'll be advanced $200 a week during your orientation and PSD phase, to be repaid at the rate of $25 a week once you are hired. Upon hiring you'll receive the guaranteed minimum pay of $800 per week for the entirety of the TNT phase. (It was $700 when I was there, but I heard it was recently increased.)

Ok.. I guess I should have worded this question better. Lets say I end up coming on board with Prime-- how long should I be prepared to be without an actual paycheck? (2 weeks, 3 weeks,etc). That'll give me more adequate ability to know what I need to have put back in reserves. From what I understand from reading.. that $200 is for food, etc... and can't really be used for things like my car payment, etc.

Hey y'all!

I've been lurking and reading for a bit and figured it was about time to hop in, introduce myself, and ask a few questions.

I've filled out the interest form for driver training and have been contacted by a couple of companies. But-- I don't want to just jump blind so... here goes.

1. How much money should I have saved up to cover my butt while I'm in training? The main companies I'm considering who have also expressed an interest in me at this point are Veriha, Prime, and Wilson-- all of which offer some form of paid training, but of course, I assume that doesn't necessarily mean from day one. While my kids are all grown and.. with the exception of one... are out of the house-- I am the primary income for the household so-- having a good idea of how long I may be without an income is pretty important.

2. How hard is the transition from driving a regular vehicle to driving a big rig? I mean... thats 80,000 pounds of metal right there and to be honest, its a little terrifying. I love love LOVE driving.. and have been a courier in my little vehicle for quite some time-- and travel cross country a couple times a year as it is... so I know I enjoy being behind the wheel-- so I guess I'm wondering.. what was the biggest change you found yourself having to make when jumping up to the big boy trucks?

3. How difficult is the physical for those of us who are a little older? Now-- I'm not old old.. but at 44, I'm not a spring chicken, either. I don't have any of the major issues--- no diabetes, no blood pressure issues, etc. But I'm just older and not in the greatest shape in the history of mankind.

4. What happens if you go to one of these company sponsored training classes.. and they decide you aren't good enough? Are you then on the hook for the cost of training with no way to actually earn it?

That's about it for now. Most of the other common concerns aren't an issue for me... no drinking, no drugs, no smoking. I haven't had ANY accident, regardless of fault since 2012 (interestingly enough, I was hit by a truck) and I haven't had an "at fault" accident since 2003. No tickets for moving violation since 2013. No criminal record.