Comments By Tia

Welcome to TT. How did orientation go?

Hey Ladies! I'm starting training for PAM in a couple weeks and wanted to share some of what I have run into. http://www.thetruckersreport.com/company-warnings/ Check that out first. I applied to Prime and Roehl. The programs seemed good, transportation to training, great pay... BUT there are a lot of issues that apparently can come up. The recruiters tell you you are qualified, you turn your life upside down, get to training and get turned down. The companies are hiring out the hiring, if that makes sense. So the company itself doesn't look at your application until you are there. Try to prevent this. I asked my recruiter if this was a possibility, for a personal guarantee of my acceptance (minus the first day physical and drug screening of course). Look at company reviews by employees, talk to a recruiter bluntly, ASK questions. They should answer them all openly. It's their job to know or find out. Swift scared me, I read lots of reviews that sent me running. C.R.England too. Make sure IF you have to pay back the tuition that it's a contract on time, miles or an amount WITHOUT INTEREST. The first year is going to be hard but you should not quite be an indentured servant lol Remember, a lot of people drop in training and a lot burn out in the first year. As far as hiring areas, I saw "Texas residents only" and "all 50 states" the most. In northern VA you're in a good place. I see mostly that they put you up for training, you pay for food mostly, but then where you live is a factor more in home time than away time. If you live close to a route, you can get home more. They should tell you first thing when filling out an application where they hire from, usually in map form from what I saw. Hopefully this provides a little more to look at and think about. Good Luck!

OMG Absolutely! I was concerned about this too, it being the main and really only money-suck on the road. In my research I have found that there are literally tons of 12v accessories for our soon-to-be trucks. Refrigerators, crackpots, ovens, microwaves, hotplates... and the "cook it on the engine block" option. I am fully confident that with some pre-planning, and a little extra work, fast food will be an occasional option in my new lifestyle.

If you are physically fit, it seemed unnecessary when I watched the "prepare for DOT Physical" video. Seemed pretty basic. I cannot find the video (I think it was on an application) but it was simulating climbing ladders, lifting your personal gear over your head and into the truck, crouching under the truck, balance beam, simulating tightening tie-downs and straps, things like that. I'm 5'3 and barely 100 pounds. Seemed easily doable if you're physically fit, even for someone my size. Oh, they also worry most about your heart rate (which they apparently check throughout) and blood sugar. Stuff that could drop you at the wheel.

I know it's not much, but I hope it's something. Good Luck!

ACCEPTED To Suburban Trucking School for PAM. Thanks guys, I appreciate the support. I'm pretty excited. Starting on the 13 and killing the practice tests thanks to The High Road. You guys are awesome!

I'm starting at Suburban Trucking School for PAM on the 13. I have hope from everything I've read. For every guy that wants to give us problems I'd guess we've got 5-10 that would help if something was going on. Seems like a fantastic family to be a part of! I'm excited to give it a shot.

We have MichiganWorks here, not much in grants outside of FAFSA, and FAFSA won't pay for my food and lodging across the country as far as I am aware. I've taken Brett's advice and have since applied to Roehl, Driver Solutions and Knight. I didn't really want to hear "no" 20 more times if there was no chance of a "yes". Fingers Crossed.

For the last year I have been taking care of a family member and haven't been able to have a real job. I had some other employment problems (having to relocate and not been transferred, natural disasters forcing relocation and unemployment) in the previous two years. It has really sucked lol So I decided it was time for a change. The last month watching jobs in Michigan (a surgery for my family member at the end of the month will allow me to work again) I found that roughly 80% of postings were for truck drivers, 0-6 months experience required in a lot of cases. I have been researching your massive amounts of resources for the last week, started The High Road and applied for Prime's School, since funding is going to be hard to come by and I want to screw myself as little as possible... But it seems that was far too hopeful, no more than one year of unemployment in three years. So... is my trucking career over before it begins? I'm not sure what to do, or if I can do anything. I don't know if I can manage to pay for a school if I would be able to get a halfway decent job. I figured if anyone could help me it would be all of you awesome people here that have helped so much already.

Oh, FAFSA is applicable to 9 week courses and longer. I couldn't find any applicable classes (there was a 6 month 30 credit course at some college but...) So when I couldn't add any schools from their list I couldn't continue the application.

I'd appreciate any help or advice (especially if it's positive and hopeful). Thanks. Tia