Comments By Larry B.

I have finally realized my goal of becoming a truck driver. Just started Monday on my trainers truck. I’m driving between 7 and 9.5 hours a day so far. I’m not having trouble at all mentally or getting tired/sleepy. But after a few hours my legs (especially my calves on down) and hind end start hurting bad. Is this normal for noobies or is there a special cushion or something I could get to relieve the pain?

I’m currently on my second trip this week to the northeast. Maryland and then Connecticut from Missouri.

My Maverick recruiter called me today and said they are going to start requiring a two year contract to go through their school. I'm considering going to a school here on my own now. I'm hoping I really like flatbed and don't plan on quitting but I'm just not sure about a two year commitment.

Hi Jeramy,

I don't live far from you (Warrensburg,MO) I have been approved with Maverick to go through there CDL sponsored school in April. I don't retire from my current career until then.

I have a question about transferring the CDL. The way I understand it is you get your permit and then CDL in Arkansas and then you come back to Missouri and transfer it back so you have a Missouri CDL.

Do you have to retake any tests or the CDL physical to get the license transferred back to Missouri?

Thanks

Larry:

Due to an acute family health issue, I resigned from CFI to stay much closer to my home area. I'll be starting with West Side Transport in a matter of days, as soon as CFI stops dragging their feet and sends my diploma to me. Paying my tuition balance was not an issue.

Since I resigned from CFI and turned in my truck, I will not be posting in this thread any longer. If someone asks me a question about CFI's training, I'll gladly answer when I can. Most of my energy will be focused on getting up to date with WST and dealing with the family situation. My Sister will be coming to Ohio, so that will definitely be a huge help to me. Unless I hear differently from West Side Transport, I will be starting orientation on 9/10. It will be interesting to see how I do on a manual the first day and how quickly I can catch on. In the future, I may post about my daily 'goings-on' with WST.

Wait. What? You quit CFI? What happened? Didn't you go through their sponsored school? Won't you have to pay them back for the school now?

I understand completely, I hope all goes well for you and your family.

Since I resigned from CFI and turned in my truck, I will not be posting in this thread any longer. If someone asks me a question about CFI's training, I'll gladly answer when I can. Most of my energy will be focused on getting up to date with WST and dealing with the family situation. My Sister will be coming to Ohio, so that will definitely be a huge help to me. Unless I hear differently from West Side Transport, I will be starting orientation on 9/10. It will be interesting to see how I do on a manual the first day and how quickly I can catch on. In the future, I may post about my daily 'goings-on' with WST.

Wait. What? You quit CFI? What happened? Didn't you go through their sponsored school? Won't you have to pay them back for the school now?

Just finished out monthly conference call where we get to hear all the great things CFI is doing and get to ask questions of our company president as well as heads of other departments. CFI has no plans to faze out training on manual transmissions in the schools. The fleet only has a few manuals left. Don't believe every rumer you hear.

I just got off the phone with a CFI recruiter named Courtney. Courtney said their school is now 3 weeks instead of four and you WILL have an automatic transmission restriction on your license.

I don't think CFI is doing that. I'll try to remember to try and ask that tomorrow.

Yeah if you could check that would be great. The guy that told me that went through the CFI training At Crowder college.

Apparently CFI and Prime CDL training programs are now testing their students out on automatic transmission trucks since they are going all auto so the new drivers that go through their training will have that restriction on there license.

Would you experienced drivers consider this a deal breaker if you were just now coming into the industry. I know a lot of companies are going all Auto. I was considering CFI because of there school in Springfield,MO but now I don't know.

What are your thoughts on this?

Hey Jeremy I reread your post and realized you are looking for companies that offer CDL schools. The companies I mentioned require you to attend a school on your own but they will reimburse you for a year commitment. There are several schools in our area if you could swing it. State fair community college in Sedalia has A 160 hour CDL school for about $3500. That's the best price I've found so far.

Curious if anyone knows of any companies that offer a dry van Midwest regional. Home every weekend or every other weekend for at least a 34 hour reset.

I will need CDL training. I do have my Missouri permit and medical.

I live in Pleasant Hill Missouri, about 30 miles South of Kansas City.

I greatly appreciate it! You all stay safe out there.

Hey Jeremy I'm not far from you in warrensburg. There are several companies that hire new drivers for Midwest regional.

My top two choices so far are Schneider National, and Transland down in Springfield. Westside transport in Iowa also hired new drivers for Midwest regional I think. If you're interested in flatbed, Maverick and TMC are the way to go in our area. There are at least two TMC drivers here in warrensburg that I see parked every weekend.

No need to go OTR any more if you don't want to.