Profile For Josh D.

I passed my CDLP tests! I was almost dissapointed it was so easy. I guess I wanted all my hard work to feel like it counted for something.

The only thing I felt unprepared for was DOT medical card thing. I was planning on waiting until training starts (Monday!) to get the physical done by their doctor instead of trying to figure my own thing out. This resulted in my having to sign a 'self certification' form at the DMV that limited what I was allowed to do. The lady had to explain it to me as I was totally lost. If I had accidentally checked the wrong box (intrastate vs interstate) I wouldn't have been allowed to drive outside of Kansas! She said when I got my medical card and came back for the driving test to get me CDL I could request to update the form and choose the option that required having a card. I still don't really understand what I signed or what I picked. If this is a standard thing in every state - and if it's normal to need your exam to be done before going for you CDLP - that would be a nice thing for newbies to know! I told Casey - my recruiter - the same thing.

So next step is Wellsville KS for training at the Keim school. The minimal training pay (and lack of paid transportation to and from) will hopefully be quickly made up for once I start driving. Looks like new drivers here would average 70k. Between that and the individualized attention of a small company - I'm quite happy so far. My ONLY complaint is that small company size can equal slower communication as people are busy and wearing multiple hats. I'll report back after a few days of training to let y'all know what that's like.

The only endorsement that you need specialized additional training for is HAZMAT. The law changed recently and all new endorsements for this require a separate course completion before testing at the DMV. TWIC seems to vary by state.

This is what I eventually discovered. Although when I showed up at the DMV here in Kansas, I was told that I couldn't do doubles/triples either. Something about that not being allowed on the permit. Maybe that's just Kansas? I don't know. So the only 'extra' besides combination and airbrakes I was able to add was Tanker.

So I stumbled across Keim on the web somehow while trying to find a regional truckering company that preferable ran flatbed who offered paid, or at least free, training. I was basically all set to go with TMC, but something was niggling at the back of my mind. I found Keim, and honestly couldn't find much about them online other than what's on their website. Youtube videos from TMC are a dime a dozen, but Keim is smaller and doesn't have that kind of presence. Here's what I know so far. Get your CDLP. Show up at their office in Wellsville. Get paid $25/day during initial training. (Basically pays for dinner and maybe gas to get to training. They cover hotel (you get your own room, no sharing) and lunch. So definitely skimpy compared to most other training offers. The huge offset for me personally is being only 2 hours away from the training facility and (as opposed to TMC) you get the weekends off. 3 weeks (approximately) until you get tested out for your CDL. In addition to not sharing a room, you may not even share a classroom! She said it's often only one or two students going through at a time. Small company = lots of individual attention.

Then another three weeks (approximately) driving with a trainer who should be from your area so you're home on weekends when he/she is. This stage of the training pays $125/day. Which is actually higher than TMC which pays a flat $500/week through the entire training experience. Once you get your own truck you can pick 25percent OR .58/mile. Which honestly sounds high to me? Recruiter said average miles for a new person are 2200/2800 a week. so that .58 would stack up quickly.

I've got my testing date for my CDLP set for a week from now. I'm going to do my best to test out for as many 'extras' as I can. The one I probably won't make is the hazard, as I simply can't get the background check stuff done fast enough to be done before the permit.

I am skeptical of $.58/mile coming right out of school. That honestly sounds like "up to $.58/mile" after bonuses. The problem with numbers like that is you are not going to maximize bonuses for the first year. The first three months solo you may not hit a bonus as you learn shippers, receivers, paperwork, etc. The next three months, you will likely hit some bonuses, but not all. By the end of the first year, you will probably be hitting the majority of bonuses. Even then, there will be plenty of room for improvement.

Recruiters like to make pay seem like it's more than what it actually is, sometimes. I would ask if $.58/mile is base pay or maximum per mile rate after bonuses are calculated. For a driver right out of school, I would be expecting the per mile rate to be $.50, possibly as low as $.47.

So I confirmed with Casey (the lady that answers the phone if you press "interested in a career" on their phone tree. I asked if .58 cents was the flat rate, or if it included bonuses. She said that it was BEFORE any bonuses. You can choose 25% or .58 cents to start with. They do not vary the percent month to month like TMC. Instead it increases more like a salary would. Goes up after your first year and so on. I asked if the majority of the drivers go with one or the other and she said its pretty much down the middle. I'll report more once I'm actually driving. I'll pick percentage to start, and then at 90 days I'll get a chance to change if I want to. Then I'm locked in until my first year marker. From the bit of Keim talk on youtube, sounds like the percent is good if your close to a terminal and getting higher paying loads. If you're a little more out in the sticks and have loads that aren't as lucrative, the mileage can work out better. They also have tarping AND untarping pay, pay for sitting around at construction sites, etc. Basically if they charge the customer extra for something, you get a part of it.

So My permit test is scheduled for Thursday. There was a little drama so far with the endorsements. I was told here by someone to add them to my permit so they'll get on my license. The recruiter told me the law changed and now you have to show that you were trained by a school in the particular endorsement you want before you can test for it. I read EVERYTHING I could find on the Kansas CDL website and this is what I came up with. New drivers cannot test for their license without showing having passed an accredited (my wording) school. They also specifically mentioned the hazmat endorsement. They did not mention any of the others. At first I was going to only get what I had to get - air brakes and combination - but after looking over the practice tests on THIS app... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jeffreydiaz.android.app.cdlprep&gl=US (there is an iphone version too) I realized that the tanker and double's / Tripples endorsements would be a fairly easy add on - even if I'm wrong and I won't ultimately get them. So I'm gonna go ahead and take those if I can and see what shakes out. I'll make sure to report on the final result!

I contacted Keim and assuming I pass - I'll start training the 22nd (the following Monday). Training details and what the company is like to follow! I say IF I pass because the TMC recruiter told me that 85% fail first time...??? That sounds crazy high to me. I've always been a good test taker, but we'll see.

Oh. By the way. After emailing the TMC recruiter that I was going with a different opportunity I got a call and multiple texts and automated emails. Odd business practice to spam someone who's said no thank you. Doesn't seem like a great way to build good will if you hope to potentially employ them in the future as I know turnover in this industry is crazy high.

Side note - if anyone reading this has any experience with through the house or home every night routes/companies in the Springfield Missouri area - I'd love to hear about them! I don't think I'll be able to stay with Keim long-term as they don't do dedicated and the best I can do with them is home weekends. I'm very willing to do this to get in the door - but ultimately need to be more available to my family.

Oh another note on Keim. The recruiter noted that with TMC if you leave before your year is up you owe major $$$ for the schooling they put you through. She said that it happened to someone who came to work with them after leaving TMC early. She said they don't do that, and that they do ask you to put in a year, but if something happens and you have to jump ship early, Keim doesn't come after you for any school costs.

So I stumbled across Keim on the web somehow while trying to find a regional truckering company that preferable ran flatbed who offered paid, or at least free, training. I was basically all set to go with TMC, but something was niggling at the back of my mind. I found Keim, and honestly couldn't find much about them online other than what's on their website. Youtube videos from TMC are a dime a dozen, but Keim is smaller and doesn't have that kind of presence. Here's what I know so far. Get your CDLP. Show up at their office in Wellsville. Get paid $25/day during initial training. (Basically pays for dinner and maybe gas to get to training. They cover hotel (you get your own room, no sharing) and lunch. So definitely skimpy compared to most other training offers. The huge offset for me personally is being only 2 hours away from the training facility and (as opposed to TMC) you get the weekends off. 3 weeks (approximately) until you get tested out for your CDL. In addition to not sharing a room, you may not even share a classroom! She said it's often only one or two students going through at a time. Small company = lots of individual attention.

Then another three weeks (approximately) driving with a trainer who should be from your area so you're home on weekends when he/she is. This stage of the training pays $125/day. Which is actually higher than TMC which pays a flat $500/week through the entire training experience. Once you get your own truck you can pick 25percent OR .58/mile. Which honestly sounds high to me? Recruiter said average miles for a new person are 2200/2800 a week. so that .58 would stack up quickly.

I've got my testing date for my CDLP set for a week from now. I'm going to do my best to test out for as many 'extras' as I can. The one I probably won't make is the hazard, as I simply can't get the background check stuff done fast enough to be done before the permit.

I am skeptical of $.58/mile coming right out of school. That honestly sounds like "up to $.58/mile" after bonuses. The problem with numbers like that is you are not going to maximize bonuses for the first year. The first three months solo you may not hit a bonus as you learn shippers, receivers, paperwork, etc. The next three months, you will likely hit some bonuses, but not all. By the end of the first year, you will probably be hitting the majority of bonuses. Even then, there will be plenty of room for improvement.

Recruiters like to make pay seem like it's more than what it actually is, sometimes. I would ask if $.58/mile is base pay or maximum per mile rate after bonuses are calculated. For a driver right out of school, I would be expecting the per mile rate to be $.50, possibly as low as $.47.

Great Question, thanks!

Good luck! Keep us posted! Niggling??

I'm a Political Science major in a former life... my writing might be a little over the top without meaning to be.

Another flatbed program/training company is Keim ... Keim TS's Breaker!Breaker! Training Classes. If you speak to them, please mention that you've heard of them here!! Yes, you may name drop, haha!! Great place.

~ Anne ~

Crazy. I did NOT see this message until today (super early Wednesday morning) but I managed to stumble across Keim on my own. They got bonus points because I'm only 2 hours from their training in Wellsville Kansas AND they don't train on weekends so I'm not away from my family for 19 days straight (like TMC). The recruiter at Keim was much easier to talk to. TMC felt super formal and... strict maybe? Keim has a family and relaxed feel to it. Anyway I got my clearance from Keim so now I'm just putting my ducks in a row and getting my permit squared away. Hoping to be training within a month!

Hay Josh;

Glad you worked it out; you can STILL mention our website at your next intro w/Keim!

TMC is an awesome company, the 'strict' you speak of is the fact that they are known to be 'military' run, 35% of the employees are former military, many having been Marines. I think it's awesome, personally!

Let us know how it goes with Keim; start a diary, PLEASE!

Best wishes;

~ Anne ~

ps: Ryan . . . Trans Am does NOT offer training anymore, at all? It used to be like 2 weeks or so; coming in with a CDLP.. I'm betting that changed with the ELDT mandate 02/07 ..... ? Chickie Monster started with them maybe 5 years ago. Things change, but they WERE big on lease then, too.

I actually DID tell her about Trucking Truth and the fact that their company is NOT listed on the list of companies with paid training. Hint hint! Can you guys add them?

So I stumbled across Keim on the web somehow while trying to find a regional truckering company that preferable ran flatbed who offered paid, or at least free, training. I was basically all set to go with TMC, but something was niggling at the back of my mind. I found Keim, and honestly couldn't find much about them online other than what's on their website. Youtube videos from TMC are a dime a dozen, but Keim is smaller and doesn't have that kind of presence. Here's what I know so far. Get your CDLP. Show up at their office in Wellsville. Get paid $25/day during initial training. (Basically pays for dinner and maybe gas to get to training. They cover hotel (you get your own room, no sharing) and lunch. So definitely skimpy compared to most other training offers. The huge offset for me personally is being only 2 hours away from the training facility and (as opposed to TMC) you get the weekends off. 3 weeks (approximately) until you get tested out for your CDL. In addition to not sharing a room, you may not even share a classroom! She said it's often only one or two students going through at a time. Small company = lots of individual attention.

Then another three weeks (approximately) driving with a trainer who should be from your area so you're home on weekends when he/she is. This stage of the training pays $125/day. Which is actually higher than TMC which pays a flat $500/week through the entire training experience. Once you get your own truck you can pick 25percent OR .58/mile. Which honestly sounds high to me? Recruiter said average miles for a new person are 2200/2800 a week. so that .58 would stack up quickly.

I've got my testing date for my CDLP set for a week from now. I'm going to do my best to test out for as many 'extras' as I can. The one I probably won't make is the hazard, as I simply can't get the background check stuff done fast enough to be done before the permit.

Another flatbed program/training company is Keim ... Keim TS's Breaker!Breaker! Training Classes. If you speak to them, please mention that you've heard of them here!! Yes, you may name drop, haha!! Great place.

~ Anne ~

Crazy. I did NOT see this message until today (super early Wednesday morning) but I managed to stumble across Keim on my own. They got bonus points because I'm only 2 hours from their training in Wellsville Kansas AND they don't train on weekends so I'm not away from my family for 19 days straight (like TMC). The recruiter at Keim was much easier to talk to. TMC felt super formal and... strict maybe? Keim has a family and relaxed feel to it. Anyway I got my clearance from Keim so now I'm just putting my ducks in a row and getting my permit squared away. Hoping to be training within a month!

Well, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at 7:30 a.m. in Roanoke, VA is test time! I've been through a couple of practice sessions on the driving range over the past week and all has gone well with straight backing, offset, and parallel park. Those are the only three backing maneuvers we will be tested on here in VA. I feel ready and am going for one final practice session tomorrow. There will be three of us from our class testing on Wednesday. Based on what I know of my fellow students, these two who are going with me are both well-prepared and ready to test. Our examiner is brand new, so I guess that could be good or bad. Regardless, if we pre-trip and drive the way we have been trained, it shouldn't make any difference. I'll check in Wednesday after the test with an update.

Is Pre-trip as scary as it looks in the manual? 5 pages of bullet point things to check! I can see doing it with a clipboard checklist. I can't see doing it from memory for a test!