Location:
Roselle, IL
Driving Status:
Rookie Solo Driver
Social Link:
I was a carpenter for 28yrs lost my job in 2008 and have been doing odd job and low paying jods sense. So I looked in to trucking for a new carrier. So here l go, start school on april 29th.
Posted: 8 years, 8 months ago
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I had the same experience was out for a week with a company trainer and did not like it one bit. So went home and found a local job with a ltl carrier. now it's very hard to find a job like that just out of school. I was very lucky! So if you like driving don't give up. There is other was to have a driving job
Posted: 8 years, 9 months ago
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No one can pay me enough to drive locally in the Chicago area. No sir.
Its not that bad just have to take time no hurry.
Posted: 8 years, 9 months ago
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just a quick update I started with Schneider and went through ther training for 2 of 3 weeks went on the road for a week and just hated it. So I came home and found a small local ltl carrier in chicago. Now I drive close to home.home every night, get paid by the hr. One down side all the traffic. But that's were live. Life is good.
Posted: 8 years, 10 months ago
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How's the training going? I'm really curious because I'm thinking about going to Schneider orientation (Fontana) in a couple weeks.
Its going good just about done with week one . Lots of work you dont have much down time. Just like cdl school it moves very fast two more days this week and then out with my trainer for a week. I'll keep you all updated
Posted: 8 years, 11 months ago
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Types of Training for CDL Grads
Hey Everyone,
So I just got my CDL last week,
, and now I'm looking for my first driving job. I was originally thinking about Swift or Werner, whose training consists of going on the road with a trainer for a month or two, but Schneider offered me to come to their orientation/training, which is a bit different. Its only three weeks, one week at a training facility, one week of OTR training, and another back at the training facility. It sounds pretty good, but I can't help to wonder: is that going to be sufficient? If anyone has any input on this training method, or has trained with Schneider, I'd love to hear it.
Hi Jamie, lam at Schneider right now and after my first day I would recommend this place. They wouldn't put anyone out there that is not ready. Good program. I believe 3 weeks is good. But that is my option.
Posted: 8 years, 11 months ago
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Roy E: Congratulations on your achievement! ( am still in Truck Driving School and have applied to Schneider). Hope you have a good experience in orientation and enjoy your time in Green Bay. Does this mean you will be a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHEESEHEAD!!?!?!?!?!??!? (SMILE). If so you can get one of their hats, they look like a block of cheese.
-Dave
Dude iam from chicago I don't want to be here in cheese head land
Posted: 8 years, 11 months ago
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All my friends here at TT thanks for all the help. I now have my cdl with all endorsements and heading to greenbay for training with Schneider .going todo dry van Regional . I leave on Monday morning July 1st. I'll keep you guys updated.
Posted: 8 years, 11 months ago
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Sorry it took me so long to get back to you guys. Between school and a death in the family ther was a lot going on. So heres my update. Done with school passed my pretrip, skills, road test, all the first time. So I have my cdl all endorsements. On monday july 2nd heading to greenbay Wisconsin. Going to drive for schneider. So time to get ready for the next part of this experience.
Posted: 9 years ago
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Sounds great!!! Yeah, definitely keep us updated on how things go for ya.
Have you applied for any pre-hires yet?
Ya Brett I have two right now . One from werner and one from roehl . I have about 8 to 10 more apps. Out ther. so Iam just waiting to see what happens.
Posted: 9 years ago
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I'm putting in applications all over the place. What do you guys think is a bigger outfit better then a smaller one or the other way around? Thanks. I have prehires all ready from the 4 biggest.
Posted: 9 years ago
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Ok guy's it my turn to start school. Monday 8 A.M. 6 weeks/240 hr class at a community college just out side of Chicago. Here we go!!!!
Just a quick update i've been in school now 2 weeks .i know how to pretrip,hook unhook , h.o.s., and drive on the road, up &down shift. So much to learn but on the way. Thanks to you Brett I new a lot more then some in class. I'll keepyou guys updated
Posted: 9 years, 1 month ago
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Basically it boils down to my dislike of the way the trucking industry sucks people in and throws them in the air and only keeping those lucky enough to land in a very small circle. If I can somehow manage to enlarge that circle through educating new people coming into the industry then I will do it that way. Sure I am hard nosed in my approach to that education but I don't have time to play nice all the time cause I have my own job to do. I burn through 74 to 78 hours a week just like every one else except i get to come home and do my restarts at home every 7 to 9 days. I do 3000k to 3300k miles a week. So I do have a lot of time to "talk around" an issue. I say what I want to say as bluntly as can be tolerated to get my message across. The way I see it if someone can't handle my bluntness then they need to run a way from trucking fast cause the "industry" will chew them up and spit them out if they wear their feelings on their shirt sleeves.
I tell you what, buddy..I would much rather have a man that says what he means and let the chips fall where they may, than have a mamby pamby, wishy washy, flip flopper that talks for half and hour and says maybe two meaningful words..Like you said, If what you say and how you say it offends or hurts somebody's feelings....truckin' aint for you..
Yes I agree. Thanks a lot.
Posted: 9 years, 1 month ago
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Ok guy's it my turn to start school. Monday 8 A.M. 6 weeks/240 hr class at a community college just out side of Chicago. Here we go!!!!
Posted: 9 years, 1 month ago
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I'd like some advice on becoming a truck driver....
Mandy, I to choose the community college route because I was a carpenter for 30 yrs and have no experience driving a rig. So 240hrs at school will help. But you have to do whats right for you. Good luck with what ever you choose.
I went that way because I didn't want to be tide to any one company.
Posted: 9 years, 1 month ago
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I'd like some advice on becoming a truck driver....
Mandy, I to choose the community college route because I was a carpenter for 30 yrs and have no experience driving a rig. So 240hrs at school will help. But you have to do whats right for you. Good luck with what ever you choose.
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
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Is 52 Too Old To Start a Trucking Career
iam 53 going to start school on 29th of april . so no your not to old. be sure you look in to this site it will help you answer any and most of your questions
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
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Roy, Brett is absolutely right about your area. Just take a 20 minute break beside a highway near you and write down some of the names on the trucks you see going by on the road. Just about any name you see go by is going to be hiring in that area. Or you can accomplish the same objective by pulling in a truck stop and getting some names off of the trucks that are parked there.
I just did a search on Google for "trucking companies in Chicago" and got more results then I cared to read through. Not saying these are all hiring but it will give you an idea of the amount of companies that are based out of there.
Thanks guy that is great.
Posted: 9 years, 2 months ago
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Thanks Brett that makes me feel good about my decision to get my cdl.
Chicago is one of the biggest trucking hubs in the country. You'll find every imaginable opportunity there.
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Posted: 8 years, 8 months ago
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Having a hard time finding local work as a new CDL holder.
It's hard to get a local job right out of school but it can be done. I did it but I live in the Chicago area and I was lucky. So dont give up .