Comments By Lance F.

Brett, no need to apologize. I know these things happen. Just seems like part of my story that I find them lol.

I've been using it and it's definitely different from the old one. I gotta say I kind of like the layout of the other one better. I also found that one particular question keeps coming up with the wrong answer on the quiz and required me to drop my 100% score to 98 after two reviews. That really ticked me off as I am a perfectionist. I did report the question. I have since gone back to the older version.

Thank you Brett. Where can I find the 2.0 version of the Online training? I've been having to click on your link to get to it.

Hey Brett, is there a reason the Online Training 2.0 gives the answers to the quizzes?

What happened to the questions you had about Swift? And running Walmart Dedicated?

Careful who you believe regarding Paid CDL Training Programs. Many success stories in this forum.

Good luck!

Hey G-Town, I do have some questions about Swift. However, I didn't want to waste your time until I knew I was good with the DOT physical. Once I'm good with that I will most definitely reach out to you.

Brett, thank you for the response. I've read a few links you posted before and I did not know about the updated training program. I will certainly check it out. Thanks again.

As the title states. I'm still working on getting into CDL school. I have already picked out the school I will be attending. The next class starts March 13 and is 4 weeks long at 8 hours per day Monday thru Friday. Day one they start you out behind the wheel in the parking lot and have flatbed, box, reefer, and tankers. Students are required to have their permit before class starts. I have been using the "High Road Training Program" and I love it. I'm only working on the permit sections. Once I take the test and get the permit I plan to go back and work on all of the endorsements. I tried reading the book that my DMV gave me and it was so dry. But the online course here breaks it down I find it hard to stop reading at night.

I'm in the process of closing the family business right now and working on whether I would even pass the DOT hearing test. So for that reason I took a four day break as I got kind of discourage from the fact I may not even be able to get my CDL. I wear hearing aids and have ever since I was three years old. I have a major loss in the high frequency areas and worried I may not meet the 2000mhz DOT requirement. I contacted the DOT physician that the school uses and he told me that they do a forced whisper. I was trying to figure out just how loud or low a force whisper really is and nothing online helped. He wasn't really able to explain it to me himself, but stated that if I fail I could just have my audiologist test me in the DOT parameters. If I pass that he would accept it as a pass. When I called my audiologist he told me that the 500 and 1000 mhz wouldn't be a issue. The 2000mhz however could be a stretch. He told me that he could tweak the hearing aids to try and get me to the 2000mhz parameters. To be honest I'm not too optimistic.

I spent the last week trying to figure out just what is the reason for the 2000 mhz parameters. I can hear the alarms in the cab. I can hear the brake warning tabs on most vehicles. The 2000 mhz frequency is that of smoke detectors, whistle, and such. I know that it is possible to get an exemption. My concern with that is it's not a guarantee. I don't know how long the exemption is good for. Would I have to apply for one every two years when I renew my medical card? Seems like a lot at stake to pay for a CDL class and drive a truck when at anytime I may not be granted a exemption one year. Then I will be where I am now looking for a career path with a wife and 4 kids .

I haven't quite giving up yet though. I mean I know I would enjoy driving a truck and think with experience I would be very good at it. I'm very safety oriented and I currently drive a 14' step van. Not very long but it is top heavy. I also drive fire engines at my fire company and I have been driving both my stepvan and fire engines like they say truckers should drive using the complete lane to their advantage. Such as in turns take them wide and use the outside lines. Go 10 mph less than the ramp speeds. I practice braking distance by keeping an eye on my following distance. I'm really hoping that I pass my audio test this coming Tuesday. If I don't it will be a major bummer.

If I do pass I will register to the CDL school soon as my taxes come back. I was expecting them a week ago. I've looked into working for a company that trains folks to get their CDL, but I just have mix feelings about that. I mean many say they are rushed through the class to get on the road. Many companies pay less for the first year or two under contract. I would be locked into a contract and if I just don't like that company I want to be able to leave. Many of those companies are OTR and I'm looking for more of a regional company. I'm not looking to do flatbed work and be out for weeks at a time. I will look into the different companies once I get my results back from my hearing test on Tuesday. The CDL school I would be attending stated that they would want their students to have pre hire offers by the 2nd week of class. They also have recruiters that come into the school often and meet with potential drivers.

So right now that's my story. I plan to continue with the "High Road Training Program" and see how Tuesday turns out. Be safe out there folks...

Lance I wanted to revisit your post to Rob.

Most of the local jobs are going to require a minimum of 6 months of experience. And there is good reason for this; local work in the Greater Philadelphia and Wilmington area typically requires driving in heavy traffic and often involving close quarter maneuvering and backing. With zero experience this is daunting and potentially career ending, not recommended.

I ran the Swedesboro NJ to Harrington DE shuttle for PFG for about 6 months.

Although they will take-on entry level drivers, they want 6 months. I know several drivers out of that terminal and the delivery routes are many times in urban and suburban areas; tight alleys and strip mall parking lots. Tge attrition rate was very high with newer drivers. Not trying to dissuade you, just offering a reality check.

With that said, have you thought about Swift? They offer aPaid CDL Training Program. I ran Walmart Dedicated for them about 8 years, based in Pottsville PA. They will accept rookies that graduated from one of the Swift Academy’s. Many drivers domiciled there live in Northern DE. The Walmart account is home at least 1 day per week during the busier holiday season, 2 days per week off peak. You could also park your truck at several Walmart stores near your residence.

Might be an interesting compromise to consider, plus you’ll make excellent money. I thoroughly enjoyed my career with Swift. Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Hey G-Town, been trying to figure out how to reach out to you with questions about Swift. Do I do that here, start a new thread?

I was able to do a street view and I "drove" the city of Lyons. It appears speed limit on Grand/hwy 14/96 is 35 while you head north until you get to Lyon St where it drops to 20.

20 mph speed limit is only for 2 blocks because it goes up to 30 mph once you get to main st

Looks like a radar trap to me. I believe these are illegal. If you plan to fight it I would go back to the area and take pictures. Print them out @ the local store and have a testimony ready for what happened that night that's the truth or damn believable for the judge.

I'm pretty green here but wanted to offer some insights I have from life experience and as a current owner of a family business. I've been spending the last 6 days or so reading so much on this forum. The info is here is insane and I love it. I've been researching different companies in my area, the different driving schedules, benefits, and pay. I've also been reading the "Truck Driver Career Guide" on this forum (WoW), watching YouTube videos, and reading different articles on the net about what to look for in a company, as well as what questions to ask the recruiter.

One of the things you should ask before deciding on which company to driver for is the pay scale, how to get increases, and when. I would suspect that you should have gotten a little increase after 6 months or so, and another after your year. I mean many companies advertise that, or recruiters tell me that. If not ask. If you like everything about your company I would most certainly ask about it, and while you're talking about it ask them how the increases work in the future. I mean that's your promotion, and we all want to know how to get them.

Now the flip side of things I always tell folks is that it's hard to prove your worth to the company you currently work for. Many just don't see the value of their current employees. I know many folks who are currently dealing with this exact issue. My brother got hired out of one year of college to work for the court system as a IT tech. He is currently their number one tech. Everyone even the supervisor and boss go to him with questions about the court network system. He has been there the longest. Here is the kicker, everyone that is hired after him are making more than he is. They keep telling him he is maxed out and can not get anymore money! They have hired a couple different supervisors over the years that don't even have all of the certification that he has and they are making more than him. He had been considering leaving for a private sector job but the benefits are great, he doesn't work hard, he has 100% job security and he has about 15 years left to retire with full pay at the age of 44!

He has been told to leave his job and come back in 6 months and he will be offered more money! But they would most certainly fill it before then so not worth it. Just something to think about. I think you should get some offers and then talk to HR about it. Make sure you let them know how much you like working for them but could really use a increase in CPM. Like others have said, if your doing well that shouldn't be an issue.

Good luck. I am very excited to get into this myself and look forward to my first year.

Hey Marc, I just wanted to give you some insight on Wilson. I've looked them over and if I lived down the south or central part of the county Wilson would definitely be @ the top of the list of companies I would check out. I have heard a lot of good things about them and the sharp looking black trucks with red lettering is a plus as well. Good luck and I definitely will keep an eye out on your posts.