Comments By TreeTheTrucker

@the Persian conversion Solid!!! I haven't shown them a hint of displeasure but I haven't shown them I'm pleased about it either,lol. But I was going to go through with it anyway because I made this decision and chalked it up to "paying dues". So I completely dig what your saying, just wanted to know if this was new or has it been before(busing trainees to another state to do local runs before getting with an OTR trainer) but I'm up for the task, just thought it sounded odd.

@doug

I can understand that but i wouldn't be sleeping there every night. With an OTR trainer, we'd be constantly moving(and making money in the process). I can't drive the truck, and there's nothing around me. But the question I proposed is has anyone heard of trainees being bused to another location under these circumstances. Or am I unreasonable in my thinking. I appreciate your response though.

@errol I triple checked! They said they're sending me there because they can't find anyone to do over the road training. So with that said, what makes me think they'll have a OTR trainer in two weeks? And I wouldn't be sitting in a hotel room(I wish), I have to sleep in the sleeper berth at the truck stop.

@second chance I swear I thought that exact thing!!!

Ok I'm done with orientation and my driver advocate says to me " we're sending you to Kernersville, North Carolina" my first thought was "huh???" She said we simply don't have trainers here, so we're sending you to kernersville to do local runs with a trainer there.(mind you I want over the road driving) So she tells me I'll do local runs there with him and at night the trainer parks the truck at bills truck stop and you'll sleep there in the truck(sleeper berth) every night for two weeks until we can find you an over the road trainer... Now my contract says I have to do 10,000miles before I go solo in my own truck. But doing local runs seems like it'll take me forever to get them 10,000 miles done. And a friend of mine just got off the truck with this guy and says he likes to do all the driving! In two weeks she only has 1,100 miles under her belt... I'm not digging this whole process at all. Now I understand I have to pay my dues in this industry but this sounds crazy. Has anyone ever heard of this or am I unreasonable in my thinking?

@sweet potato Yea max is the best but you'll be happy to know that they switched up a few things(but my mostly everything on my post is the same except these two new things) on how they do the range now. Before it was a bunch of people vying for a spot to get in the truck. Now since they have so many people they switched up to giving out times in two hour increments. So it'll be a certain amount at one time then the next two hours another group comes out to the range. Second thing...They've also added 4 simulators to the classroom next to Max's class. So you'll get some practice on that. But im sorry to say you will do that safe start, in cab inspection, and air brake check verbally in front of everyone. But one tip from a guy who is headed to North Carolina tomorrow to do some local runs(check for my post on this in about 5 minutes) with a local trainer...study the H.E double hockey sticks outta that pre trip inspection. It's what's hurting most students when they go do the cdl test. Best of luck to you. Any specific question you can private message me and I'll be happy to answer.

Celadon doesn't do their own testing either....we had to go to Schneider to get the testing done. So all in all this is what I paid: DOT physical: $75.00(kept my receipt and celadon gave it back to me via a comcheck) CDL permit: $45.00 Actual CDL license: $20.00. Of all these they gave me back via a comcheck(I kept all the receipts). Whatever school/training you choose just be safe out on the road.

Oh and he cost of celadons training is $7,200 which they say you won't owe if you drive 120,000 miles for them. But you still will have to drive 10,000 miles with a trainer which doesn't count toward your 120,000...

Celadon has no upfront cost, but you pay for your permit, and license when you get them. And I just learned that since Celdon has no trainers available, I'm about to be bused from here in Indianapolis, to kernersville(idk, never heard of it) North Carolina, to be paid 7.25hr while doing local runs with a trainer there? Really starting to regret my decision...

Well TT, I felt celadon was ripping me off with this contract and having to wait so long for this and that. I got fed up and left...worse mistake I've made(besides the failed drug screen months ago)(passed 3 more after that too). The video we watched in orientation says "people think the grass is greener on the other side and it isn't". It was right. After hearing opinions of so many frustrated drivers(former) I decided to talk to current ones. What I found out was mind blowing. Celadon isn't so bad at all, and it's like this at almost every other big trucking company that trains students to become drivers for them. I saw this attitude take off with some of my friends. I had the right attitude but felt a little like celadon owed me more. Talking to current drivers put it into perspective for me. It's like anything you want in life, if you want it, you gotta go grab it, and hold on. I thought long and hard about this choice I made, and about those that came before me. Who am I to think I could change how a company does their thing. I had to man up and finish what I signed up for. I'm truly humbled now. This is what I want and I been thru so much to finally say, I have my CDL and job, so there's no way I'd give it up(some of us men and out foolish pride). Im now back at celadon waiting to do my star run(a night time drive that actually doesn't take place at night,lol), and then wait for a trainer. Celadon is having a hard time finding OTR trainers so most students are doing local runs for training. As for me, I'm cool with however the wind blows. I just want to be a safe and efficient driver. So for all those with a chip on their shoulder about how some of these training schools/companies are, most of the people on this site have been thru it as well. And they stayed the course and it's become fruitful. I think I'll just stay where I am and water my grass where it's at, and watch it grow.... TreeBark over and out..

Free is a 120,000 mile contract that you sign the first day....it's not a bad school but it's not everything they tell you it is either.