Comments By Nolaman

Nice try Nolaman. Takes morethan that to get me especially from a legend....in his owm mind! Especially on a thread where the OP asked about the 2 companies in question. Bahahhah... just playing.

But.. any friend of Big Scott is a friend of mine. Just dont come to Jersey. You might disappear.

I could say the same to you about down on the bayous of Louisiana!! 🤣🤣🤣 Nice meeting you. I do find your articles interesting and informative. Thanks for taking the time to write them. Scott who??!!! Bwahahahaha!

Apparently, according to Rainy, there are only 2 companies worth working for!! Rainy, there are others!! You are SO arrogant!! I can say, by talking to many drivers of all experience levels, it truly comes down to the company where you fit best and are most comfortable with. I work for CFI and I am very happy here because I get fair pay, I can shut down the truck when safety is my concern at anytime without question! (I've done this once) Once I put in to go home, I am home that day, or earlier, and this has been without fail whatsoever!! I have not missed one single important (to me) engagement, family function, etc... because of CFI. I get lots of miles. I have made good friends here, except for Big Scott (he's a jerk!) I like the money I take home weekly, and I like how quickly they reimburse me for showers, parts, supplies, etc... They get approval on repairs quickly and pay fast for hotels and the like. I have NO complaints about CFI except for the whining drivers I hear on the Friday call in shows!! I can take my truck home, have a pet (I don't), highlight myself to other places for vacation, visits, etc..., and CFI always works with me. They give me the support I need always. Like all companies, the night and weekend crews are a pain the the butt, but as you get to know which ones are helpful over time. I do think it depends on what is most important to you, what kind of driving you want to do, what kind of loads you want, etc...

PS) Big Scott is actually a very good friend with a great sense of humor, and with whom I talk daily!

PSS) It was fun taking a jab at Rainy because she is all over the Trucking Truth site, doesn't know me, and is a very good writer. I enjoy her articles and insight. She's very interesting, and I see her sense of humor in her writings. I just wanted to get her goat. Bwahahahaha.

I make myself laugh all the time with my great wit!! (haha) NOLAMAN :)

I’ve been leaning towards prime but are their any other that are good for rookies. I know I’ll be out on the road for long periods of time not worried about that. Just want the best training. If Swift any good? Also between prime and swift are their trucks auto or manual?

Hi. As a prime trainer i can tell you the majority of the fleet is switching to auto. Lease and owmer ops can order their trucks as manuals, so there will.be a few here and there. as far as training, it is whatever your trainer has that you will be trained and tested on. i believe swift is 100% auto other than the dedicated accounts but G Town or Errol will be around to answer.

when it comes to companies, it is a matter of personal preference. every driver on this forum will be loyal to their respective company otherwise they would be somewhere else. You will get great training at either prime or swift. Both companies have various divisions and dedicated accounts to move around if you get bored. Both have new trucks and are well maimtained. Prime has APUs and inverters, Swift doesnt have an APUs but you can install an inverter. Both are going to have cross country freight and plenty of miles. i believe Swift now has a pet policy, so they both allow pets now. I believe both allow you to take the truck home so living near a terminal is not necessary. Both programs come out to be free at the completion of the contract. Prime requires $155 upfront and no payroll deductions for the schooling (you pay back any of the $200 advance you take for food at a rate $25 per week). as long as you stay the year you pay nothing. Swift takes payroll deductions for school but then pays it back to you as you go along so in the end you pay nothing.

There are plenty of us here from.both companies who can answer any questions for you.

I tried to reply once, but I must have done something wrong, but if my first response appears, it's because I don't know what I'm doing! You'll be just fine in LA. No worries. Just be careful around Baton Rouge because that place will drain your clock at the wrong times of day! (if you can, use 190 and the old bridge then Airline Hwy and old Hammond Hwy-viseversa from the East) I-10 has a lot of truck stops between Lafayette and Lake Charles, and I-20 has a lot of stops as well. Some truck stops have great food inside or nearby. (RIP Tony the tiger) There is a Christian stop in Pineville with free food, freeshowers, free laundry, tv, coffee, etc... (like the one at exit 68 on I-70 in Illinois) Some restaurants have truck parking (Crawfish Town, etc...) Your dad's right about MS having better truck stops than LA, but the food is much better in LA. If you can get to the Pilot in Moss Point, MS, that would be great because there is a Crack Barrel right behind it. (yummy country cooking)

Hi Don, I'm Tony "NOLAMAN" from New Orleans (unit 39210). Just to let you know... The 1st exit after leaving the Atchafalaya Basin (the long bridge with a 55mph limit for trucks, and we have to stay in the right lane) headed West, or the last exit before the bridge headed East has a restaurant with truck parking and good cajun food called Crawfish Town. It's about a half mile North of I-10. Try the crawfish étouffée with catfish. About $12, and it's delicious. I'm not too crazy about boudin, but I love andouille. I hope all is well. Be patient with the 4 wheelers, other truckers, and yourself. Keep the great attitude, and keep learning. Good luck.

If all else fails, there's always where I started... Carolina Cargo. I liked and enjoyed working there. I made good money, and I got a lot of experience. The problem was their location from my home. Driving home for some home time took 12 hours! Then I had to drive back! They only have 1 terminal (which is really the maintenance shop) which has no lounge, food, or showers. Team driving. But you make a lot of miles, and the pay increases with each week you stay on the road. The amount per mile sounds low, but you get paid for every mile the team drives. If you live within 8 hours of Lancaster, SC., (Rock Hill, SC) and have a vehicle to go home from time to time...they're definately worth a call. Make sure you have enough money to make it through the 1st month...that's the hardest part...after that, it's smooth sailing. Once they see you're willing to work, and are cooperative...you will make good money, and get good experience.

The wind is never a problem... if you believe that, you're a fool. The wind and black ice are my biggest fears, especially the wind...as anyone who knows me knows. You can't see it coming. I'm getting better about the wind, but the moment I feel unsafe, I shut it down. End of. No load is worth flipping over for. You'll pay a serious price for not using common sense.

I am also a fan of Carolina Cargo. I believe in second chances. They do get you the all important, much needed experience you desperately NEED. After getting it, those companies who said NO to you are suddenly in need of your services and are wanting to hire you!! Funny how that works, huh? If you need a second chance in life, Carolina Cargo will give you one. Very good people there. Appreciate them, and work like you do...everything will fall into place!

I started with CC. I loved it there!! I was very thankful for the opportunity they gave me, and I still am. I keep in touch with them. It's all about your attitude. Once Corey, Curtis, Tonya, and the dispatchers know they can trust and count on you, they WILL keep you rolling. If they can count on you, you can count on them. You will learn a lot, and work hard. You will go everywhere carrying anything. Their pay isn't terrible, and after just 6 months, it's quite good. The toughest parts are making it through the first month, learning to slide the tandems correctly, and dealing with a co-driver who's a jerk, lazy, dirty, or selfish. Jeff is easy to talk to, Joey is cool, and Wendy & Leah get your pay right. Jim, the owner, picks you up to bring you to orientation!! Very good man. Randolph keeps the trucks in great condition. Great company to open doors to all those who said no, but then open arms to you. Again, attitude and a thankful heart go a long way. Big Scott's friend...Done Gone.

On CFI's "Your Voice Is Heard" meeting yesterday, it was announced that CFI will reduce the amount of time it takes to get to top pay from 21 years, to just 9 years!!

They believe that drivers who come to CFI with experience should be recognized and rewarded for the experience they already have, and are bringing to CFI. It is a great idea, and quick way to get experienced drivers here. I believe they have now learned that experienced drivers, although more expensive than new freshly schooled rookies, are a better choice because they won't have the learning curve (tickets, accidents, mistakes, etc...) to put up with that cost them more money in the long run than the salary savings of a rookie. If anyone is interested in talking to CFI, please give them a call.

CFI is a good company that is very cooperative in assisting their drivers. Showers and parking are always reimbursed. Actually, every penny you spend to do your job is reimbursed. They have a brand new fleet of trucks, which means no down time for repairs. Yes, they are going back to the red trucks, and have 500 ordered for 2018. This, after buying so many new white trucks! They are nice and friendly. They want to go back to being a premier company where drivers are willing to be put on a waiting list to drive for them. They are especially interested in teams, as is every company out there. The only negative thing I can say is that one can become very frustrated by the night and weekend support. (refer to night and weekend dispatch article) Sometimes the phone hold times feel intolerable! Patience is definitely needed in this area. Also, they aren't building terminals that are 1st class like the one in Joplin, or even the one in West Memphis.

All in all, I think CFI is headed in the right direction. CFI is a company worth taking the time to look into. Talk to our drivers at the truck stops, or at delivery stops. I have a positive message about CFI. I am confident Trucking Truth will have news about this soon enough.

Have a great holiday season and be safe. I'll be home for the holidays because CFI has a very good home policy that doesn't put you in jeopardy of losing your unit (truck) because you stay home for too many days. Happy Thanksgiving. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. Oh, and Happy Hanukkah (whenever it is) to Big Scott and all those of the Jewish faith.

WOW.... what a great, open, and honest discourse. I love it. Recruiters are going to say whatever it takes to get you. I'm sure Dawn sounded sincere and everything, but it's her JOB to get you to choose HER company. I've been driving just under 2 years after a career in the USPS, but, through life, and common sense, I have learned some universal life truths. Number one is... if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! If everyone is saying one thing, but someone else is saying some different, guess who's wrong! But, if everyone is saying something different, it's YOUR job to find out the truth. Recruiters are a far worst source than the employees of a company. Ask former students. Ask current drivers of companies. That's where the truth is!! And not just one or a few, ask several, because every company has people who are sour to their company for one reason or another. I was miserable at CFI, but once my DM was moved to another team...BAM!...the company became GREAT!!! Amazing that it's the same company, and I'm the same man, but my attitude and feelings toward this company are a complete 180 from just 3 months ago.