Posted: 8 years, 2 months ago
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... 50 miles depending on the route could take upwards of an hour. After a 12+ hour day that is the last thing anyone wants to end the day with, or begin the next day with. A real grind. In addition local work can be challenging for a new driver fresh off the mentor's truck. Could be a tough situation.
KaSandra will need to research this further.
10-14hr days. It is very tough. I've done it for a year and it's taken its toll. On the other hand, I have experienced some of the joys of earning a nice paycheck that's all mine.
KaSandra, you have my support and I wish you the best. I hear ya. Gotta' do what you gotta' do. I am a veteran and a 1-year driver and this is a tough profession. My second year has to be better than the first. Find a local P&D company. Some of them even have you work on the dock and train at the same time. If you go over the road, your half-grown kiddos won't have you around much. (A few days a month) You will be gone plenty, even locally.
Send me a personal email if you want to, no problem.
-mountain girl
wow..I needed this...:)...I am real determined to do this..My kids know Mom has to survive and they support me fully ..but I just am tryna not leave them ..well, as little as possible, but I know my hours will be long..just dont wanna be gone for weeks..I FULLY understand about sacrifices in life ..That's why I have GREAT kids cause I sacrificed myself for their well being along the way (no regrets!:) and well I need to do this for ME now..which benefits them long term...I do not mind putting this out here...We all have stories :)....Thank you Mountain girl...I will definitely be in touch!~KaSandra
Posted: 8 years, 2 months ago
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Don wrote:
Will Swift set up a new driver in a local driving position, or do they require over the road to get experience? I don't know, but if daily home time is a requirement to care for children, better research that first...Welcome Don. Looking forward to reading your posts and replies.
Depending on the circumstance I think Swift will hire a "newbie" local driver if within a 50 mile drive of a terminal with local work, but only after completing the 200 hour mentoring/training phase. With that said, 50 miles depending on the route could take upwards of an hour. After a 12+ hour day that is the last thing anyone wants to end the day with, or begin the next day with. A real grind. In addition local work can be challenging for a new driver fresh off the mentor's truck. Could be a tough situation.
KaSandra will need to research this further.
With my current job I drive an hour to and fro....I do what I need to :)
Posted: 8 years, 2 months ago
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my initial first reaction and gut feeling is to stay with goin to the school I chose...KaSandra, are you getting ready to attend an Independent Truck Driving School that you're paying for out of pocket? Because you can certainly save having to spend the money up front by going to a Company-Sponsored Training Program as others have mentioned about Swift and Prime and about a dozen other companies. Either type of training can be an equally good way to get your career started, it's just a matter of picking the type of schooling that fits your situation the best.
I have minor children (NOT toddlers-youngest are teens but they still need me) so can't stay away for weeks..Would I have to with Company sponsored?? thats what I've been told??.With a school I feel like I have more options where/what I will drive..This school is local and local companies looking to hire......PLEASE no negative if you respond...I got a lot going on but this is the road I feel I should be on..and I really need to be able to stand on my own two small feet! lol?..I am an optimist/realist...it's a balance I take serious..Thank you..KaSandra
Posted: 8 years, 2 months ago
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I went to prime in sept. They advance pay for your bus ticket to MO, pay for your hotel and meals for the first week. Once you get on the truck with a trainer, they advance you $200 per week for meals. After a few weeks, they take you back to MO for the behind the wheel. Once you pass the test and get your CDL you immediately start getting paid $700 per week while you are with a trainer. When you acquire 30,000 during that phase, you go back to MO to upgrade for your own truck, at which time you will get paid per mile.
I truly love the company.. have met some awesome people. All companies have good and bad, so dont let any bumps put you off.
Great information!...I'm realizing there are some good companies out there with some pretty great programs...:0 )- I think the name of the game is just to keep persevering..I'm up studying for my permit at 4am.. ...I'm an early riser anyways so the trucker schedule works for me personally:)..Not sure what THAT has to do with anything..:)-again, it's early... KaSandra
Posted: 8 years, 2 months ago
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Thank you all for the info...I truly appreciate the support of this forum:)..Since I posted this 4 ish hours ago my mind has been ALL over....BUT my initial first reaction and gut feeling is to stay with goin to the school I chose...I may have to couch surf or stay at a shelter to do so...I've been what they call the "working poor" for a while.. ..and this is my chance to get out of that...I can do it...Anyways, Onward...KaSandra ** Feel free to give any suggestions....No negative meant here..life happens sometimes..boy, it's kicking me in the A** lately..C est' la vie :)
Posted: 8 years, 2 months ago
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Most sponsored training schools at the bigger companies will pay for housing, meals and a weekly allowance. I believe Prime Inc pays the most during training at 700 a week but don't quote me on that. There's plenty of info here on TT to look into. I considered sponsored my self but decided to go to a local school so I'd have more options once I have my cdl.
I'd love to go to school but without being too dramatic here kinda close to not having a place to stay..and I will leave it at that..
Posted: 8 years, 2 months ago
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Please give me the honest truth about company trucking schools....I was gonna do a school but need to earn money while working...uggg...I'm personally struggling ....KaSandra
Posted: 8 years, 2 months ago
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To get a cdl (a or b) you need to pass the general knowledge, combination vehicles, and air brakes tests at the dmv, plus do the practical parts, yard skills (backing), pre trip and road driving with a state inspector. Those 6 things are the minimum required to get a cdl. Hazmat is an endorsement that you may or may not need depending what you want to haul. Other endorsements are tanker, doubles/triples, and passenger. Most times to get hazmat you must also pass tanker, since most hazardous materials are in tanks. But to answer your question, yes you need air brake endorsement to get your cdl.
Phil
I know, I know....lol...I'm studying....Thank you!~ ** Hazmat will probably NOT be my thing..but who knows...KaSandra
Posted: 8 years, 2 months ago
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Thank you all..:) I AM doing the air brake section here (high road prep) . I had already started reading a little even when I asked about it here on this forum.. Just was checking with you experienced drivers..I'm just taking it slow now to try to make sure I understand...If I'm Gonna take these exams/get endorsements I wanna "get" what I'm learning...
Posted: 8 years, 2 months ago
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Help!
I musta missed this..A long day is fine:) Im usually up at the LATEST by 4am...just dont wanna be gone every night ....or again, for weeks...