Comments By Robert H.

I wanted to start this by saying Im not yet a truck driver but have been researching it I have app in with CFI and probably will be doing my school training thru TDI in Tupelo, MS (I live in Philadelphia, MS) and also I am Navy Vet, master mason and shriner.

So my question is about the 14 hour clock,I was wondering does it start when you start the truck up or once you start driving that is after your 10 hr break?

HI so how you liking CFI I have applied with them as well. I just gonna probably go to Truck Driver Institute for my training here in MS and have my Post 911 GI Bill pay for it plus do the military apprenticeship program there at CFI.

That sounds like a "Dollar" account with Schneider. Not great idea for a brand new driver. Those places are very hard to get in and out of when you are a brand new driver.

At 50, I went through CFI's paid training. They even reimbursed me for my permit, endorsements, medical, hazmat background, and CDL. They have a one year commitment. We haul dry van and the hardest things I do are crank the landing gear and sweep out trailers. Here is a link to my CFI training diary CFI's one year contract is pro rated. For every month you work for them you pay off 1/12th of your contract. We stress the importance of staying with your first company at least one year. This will help you secure another job should you desire. I have been with CFI for a year now and it flew by.

I suggest you read through our starter pack.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Then you can look through Paid CDL Training Programs

Good luck we are here to help.

Check with Maverick Transportation they have flatbed and glass loads and they are great company just pretty strict i think in who they hire but wouldn't hurt to give them a try

I've been an active reader on this site for some months now and this will be my first post!

I just graduated cdl school and turned my certificate in for my cdl a. I just had my application from TMC rejected most likely due to the fact that I had my license suspended for a month just under 5 years ago for underage drinking (not drinking and driving). I'm really leaning towards flatbedding but am unable to find a company similar to TMC with whole weekend home and option to stay out longer. Gypsum seems to be a close second but they're further north in Michigan and their operating area sounds like it could be pretty bad in the winter. I'm in metro-Detroit. Can anyone suggest companies that are similar?

Also, just wanted to thank everyone on this site for all of the different views of the industry. You guys are a huge reason i decided to push forward with getting my CDL.

Also run freightliners

KLLM runs volvo vn780's from what I've seen. Nice!! Question, every KLLM truck I see says "leased to kllm" on the door. Are they a majority OO company?

they have company and lease drivers i applied and waiting to get meds issue worked out so can start the school in Jackson, MS

KLLM runs volvo vn780's from what I've seen. Nice!! Question, every KLLM truck I see says "leased to kllm" on the door. Are they a majority OO company?

Yes the School in Jackson, MS the KLLM Academy in partnership with Hinds Community College, I have applied and filled out paperwork just an issue with the meds I am on so trying to get that worked out so I can start the school. In Jackon, MS location they have new classes every Monday

Hey that was actually a great overview of their program James - thanks for that! I didn't realize KLLM was using FFE's academy.

KLLM bought FFE last year. I speak with my trainer about once a week and he tells me the quality of candidates he gets as trainees has gone up since they began the school. I believe they also have a school at the home terminal in Jackson, Mississippi as well. I know they are still pushing the lease program to drivers as much as possible, but they do have company drivers too (which is what I was). Ive been told the drivers are liking the new customers that came over with the FFE buyout also.

I have applied and filled out there paperwork for KLLM Academy in Jackson, MS only problem is now is two of the meds i take are on the list of meds they wont accept, so gonna see if dr. can change them I hope so cause i been trying to get in trucking for the last few months now as other companies applied wasnt able to get in... I would like to know more about your training there in Jackson.

I'm in school now at Jackson, ms. So far I'm really impressed. Company trucks are goverend to 62-64mph but they are newer trucks, 2014-2016 and trailers are less that 3 years too.

So it goin well for you CT there at Maverick im still waiting to goin to there school sponsorship jus waiting on getting some medical papers filled out by dr. which prob gona be delayed since freaking VA DR dropped me as patient and didnt tell me

This sub got a little off topic lol but not bad totals for the first year Rainy. Mine are about the same, still a few months to go

Im a newbie coming into trucking actually not gone to school yet, but anyways if I where those guys i would have definitely taken those loads no matter where they where going more miles more money way i see it plus more travel sites to see, im glad your dispatcher took care of you and turned out great for you

So far this week I have run two loads that are going onto this weeks pay period. The first one carried me up to New Hampshire from Louisiana with eight stops, and then my back-haul run bringing me back to my dedicated customer in Delhi, Louisiana. Those two loads total 3,132 miles, and I nailed all the appointment times while still managing to finish the final stop in New Hampshire one full day in advance of the scheduled appointment.

So, I am back in Delhi today resting on my ten hour break when my phone rings, and it is my dispatcher wanting to discuss the next batch of loads with me to see which direction I would like to go. He reads me off several different loads and I chose one of them which was a one stop run down to Miami. Then he says, "There is a possibility of that load not actually going out yet for a few days, could you also choose a different one and I will call you back a little later when I know if that Miami load is going to actually go or not?" My response was, "Sure, I'll take that one that has one stop in Louisville, Kentucky, and then finals in North Collins, New York." He hesitates just a moment and says, "You know what, I have got two guys who have really been complaining that they are not getting enough miles, and I feel like I should really at least offer that load to them first. Can I call you back after I know what is going on with that Miami load? Then I will have had the time to offer this North Collins load to those other two drivers, and I will have a better idea of what we should do with you." My response was, "Sure, you know I will be happy with what ever you come up with. I've already run in excess of 3,000 miles this week, and I can finish any of those loads you've got for this weekend in time to put it on this same pay period - those loads are just icing on the cake this week!"

About an hour later my phone is ringing again. "Well neither one of those drivers wants to go up to the Northeast, and the Miami load is not going to actually be ready yet," says my dispatcher with some degree of incredulity in his voice. He adds, "I don't understand these drivers, they tell me they want miles, but then they refuse to take the longer runs when I offer them, because of where they go to." "It looks like you are going to North Collins, New York after all, and they can stay on Louisiana to Texas runs for the next month as far as I am concerned!"

I don't get the mentality of some of these folks, but they sure are working hard to pad my paychecks! Let's see, this load is 1,150 miles, and I'll finish it by the payroll cut-off. Add that on top of the 3,132 I just completed... Yep, this week is looking really nice!

Make sure you are delivering on time or early, and keep yourself available when ever possible folks. Go for all you can get. Be a willing player, that is how you end up being counted on as a runner. That is how to be successful at this game, you've got to be a contender for the rewards of the game.

Did you catch what the attitude of the dispatcher was? They always remember the folks who help them out, but they even have a stronger memory for the folks who refuse to help when called upon.

Brett would you recommend a new driver just going solo buy a gps or wait a while and just learn to use a atlas since we all know gps Are not always accurate, and as far as cb radio i guess if you have the money to go ahead and get one since they can be very useful esp for traffic and weather etc.

That's a good question Matt.

First off let me say that flatbed is a completely different thing in itself. We have quite a few flatbed drivers here so I'll let them talk about the stuff they own to do their job.

But for the things that apply to almost all drivers, I would say my basic kit for the road would include the following items and I'll give a reasonable price range that will vary depending upon your budget or preferences:

CB Radio $50 - $200

Dedicated GPS Unit $150 - $450

Tools - very basic set $50 - $150

Clothing - a few changes and some variety $200 - $450

Boots or extra shoes $50 - $150

Rand McNally Trucker's Atlas $25 - $100

And of course we have gigantic lists of ideas and entire articles about things to bring on the road here:

• Trucker's Wiki: Items To Bring To CDL School, Training, and OTR
• Forum Topics Tagged "Items To Bring To CDL School"
• Forum Topics Tagged "Items To Bring On The Road"
• Articles Tagged "Items To Bring On The Road"