Comments By LadyDee

Hello to all. I haven't been on here for a while. I just wanted to let everyone know that as of 2 weeks ago, according to Knight Recruiter "Kristen Sayman", they are NO LONGER providing training for aspiring truck drivers like myself. She said a prospective driver needs to come to their "Squire" training program straight out of another accredited truck driving school. This news really deflated me. I'm having a hard time making truck driving happen for myself. I have a current CDL B with a HazMat endorsement, I have a CDL A permit, I have a current Medical Certificate, and I've passed the tests for Tankers and Combinations (Doubles/Triples). Florida won't put these last two endorsements on my physical license until I pass the skills and road tests in a Class A vehicle. It appears that an update of the information on this website is in order (no insult intended).

As far as what I need and am looking for in a trucking company and a school, is - I don't want to drive teams, I need to stay in Florida, I need transportation, lodging and meals to be paid for, and I need to be getting some type of pay while in school/training. I do not have problem with contractual commitments as it relates to "repaying" the cost of the school. So what companies are still providing company-sponsored training?

Thank you Jay for taking the time to respond.

Has anyone attended "Quality Drivers" truck driving school, that is based in Indianapolis, IN? What companies hire out of that school besides Celadon (and what's up with them?)?

Mr. Jopa, I thank you for taking the time to provide feedback, but LYING to a potential employer is NOT MY M.O. I guess the "principal place of domicile" issue is something I'd have to address with a recruiter, right?

Why did I get stuck on TOLLS in your response, Mr. Aquila? Doesn't the trucking company provide their drivers with toll money or EZ Passes or something? Drivers are expected to pay tolls? Hell, in NYC you need a job JUST for that.

I understand. Thanks!

While reading the information on this website about Company-sponsored truck driving schools, I noticed that quite a few people were asking about "forced dispatch" to New York City? Why are so many drivers reluctant (for lack of a better word) to NYC? I was born and raised there (Brooklyn), and I completely understand as far as traffic, but there has to more to it as far as trucking is concerned, so what is it exactly? Tolls?

Thank you, Mr. Aquila, for taking the time to respond. What you've stated is discouraging, to be honest. You obviously know exactly where I am; how can St. Pete be considered "South Florida"? I don't understand that. If I were in Naples or points south of that, I could see it. I see Knight trucks, Old Dominion trucks, Saia trucks, Scales trucks, Werner trucks, US Express trucks, Estes trucks, AAA Cooper trucks and numerous others in my area (I-275, I-75, I-4) all the time. I will follow your advice and look at all the companies you have on this website again and focus on who hires from Florida. I'm sure there are a LOT of drivers who are from Florida on this forum, and I hope that one of them or some of them are willing to give me some feedback.

Hello to all. I am a soon-to-be-55-year-old African American female who lives in St. Petersburg, FL, and who wants to drive a big rig. I'd like to finish my work life driving OTR. I currently drive public transit buses and I have a CDL Class B license. I have NO criminal history, ONE blemish on my 7-year driving history (I was cited for failure to yield while performing my job, and the citation was subsequently DISMISSED in court - otherwise, I have NOTHING on my driving record), and consistent, continuous employment history that spans the past 15 years. As to what I'm looking for in a driving school, I've narrowed it down to this: I need a school that will pay for the training, transportation to get to the school and back home, meals and lodging (fulfilling a minimum 1-year employment commitment won't be an issue). I need a school that will guarantee me a job after training and run me solo during training. I'm absolutely NOT interested in teams, period. I need a school/company that has electronic logging (I'm computer-literate). I need a school/company who pays ALL dispatch (breakdown, deadhead, layover, detention, etc.). I need a school/company who has training facilities/terminals in Florida or Georgia (North Carolina would be a bit far for home time). I'm interested in being a company driver ONLY. So who wants to give me help in choosing a school/company?