Comments By BuckeyeCowboy

The WIA program is what I am doing. Lol. Great minds think alike. That worries me about not needing another physical. Still researching and putting in apps. I think I am close to 30. I am preparing info to share with my wife so she can give me her opinion. I know in the end it is my decision but her input is very valuable to me. Thanks for the help.

From what I understand from talking with Celadon their school is free. Never have to pay anything back as long as you drive foer them for a bit of time. Not sure of length. Had a bunch of friends try C1 in Indianapolis, but have schools in other areas. They mainly train you for PAM or USA Truck.

Today was a good day. I think I may have found the company that I am leaning going to, if everything stays as planned. I just got to figure out if I want to run refers or dry vans, but everything is looking promising. I have applied to so many companies, some will commit to a pre-hire letter, some will not and I get that. All the recruiters have been really great, but that is their job too. I have learned so much about the industry and how things vary so much from company to company. It is hard to compare them if you just look at pay, benefits, hometime, etc, but still reading your series Brett. I met with the person trying to help get me funding, she is putting the application through and I should know something Monday. I have a job interview on Tuesday. Since I am unemployed and have bills, and don't start training till the 17th of June, I figure I can work full time till school starts, then weekends once in school, and maybe after school that way I can at least make sure my lights stay on. Also, still working on my diet for the physcial. I did want to ask anyone out there, I got my dot physical in April 2013. I was given a one year card. I have to take another one for school, and then another one for the company. I get they are testing for drugs and I have no problem taking a drug test all the time, but why so many physicals? What is the logic behind it? Thanks for your time.

Brett, I just started reading that series last night. I was half a sleep so I am going to restart them. I get what you are saying, I am just excited. So, update time. I have 16 companies on my list and prehires from six of them so far. Three others will bring me to orientation, they just won't do the prehire letter, unless I really need one. Which, with the ones that I have I am fine. I would list the companies, but not sure what the rules are. My biggest criteria is pay per mile, combine that with what you get for like tarp pay and bonuses and insurance and when it starts, deductibles etc. So, we will keep doing research and see what we can find out. I am almost finished with the research, I am going to start in on state tests for the General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, and all the endorsements. I want to go in there knowing it so I can feel confident when it comes time to test. I always get so nervous for tests, but if I go in knowing what I can, and I am sure I know the first few answers, I start to calm down and do well. Thanks for all the advice, I will keep the posts coming.

Brett that makes sense. I added one more company to my list and call and left a message for a recruiter. I have 7 pre hires so far. Three more companies will bring me in for orientation, but they don't do prehires.

Guy, thanks for the info. I am not that familiar with the Petes and Cats, other than to know that they look good, and as one person told me a Pete with a Caterpillar use to be the Harley Davidson of the trucking world. I am partial to Kenworths myself, but I am willing to drive anything.

Daniel, thanks for the information, I am wanting to take her before the 30 days though. Example, get out of training, most companies will send you homebound to get stuff for your truck and see the family. I want to bring her on with me then. So, I think with most companies there is just the liability factor, they want to make sure you can drive first.

Brett, I agree. I think it is a great thing that companies are doing that. I think some familarity while trying to learn something new and all that stress is nice. However, I get the companies not wanting to do it for saftey reasons as well. I mean you are learning a lot and is just so much knowledge to gain. It is like someone told me, "If you ain't learning something new in a truck everyday, you shouldn't be in a truck."

Anyways, I am to nine prehires, and I have 15 companies on my list that I am comparing and researching. Some are better than others, some have a bad repuation. I also think it is important to look at vans, refers and flatbeds so you just don't limit yourself to one area. If you do that you might miss out on a wonderful opportunity with a smaller company. For instance I found one company that I overlooked for a bit until I did some checking and they pay .38 a mile to start, they are flatbeds, and the coolest part is their orientation is 20 mins from my house, so the recuriter said it should be no big deal if I just drive everyday. Now, I have to wait 30 days to take my wife, but this company's schooling is here next to my house, and while in training they have promised me I would be home every other weekend. I would go home one weekend and trainer would be in hotel, then next week I would be in hotel and he would be home. A very fair trade off. Also, they have a chaplain on call or standby in case you need it. Being a christian, I believe that is a wonderful idea, and wish other companies would think of doing that too. Especially in an industry where you are so stressed constantly. Well, enough rambling for the night. God bless.

I will check them out. Thanks Brett. I did want to ask, I am kinda at an impass in comparing companies. Each companies website is different and some dont have a lot of info on what they offer, yet others do. I used your section: Companies that hire recently grads, and that only had a few of the companies I am looking at. Do you have any other reccomendations where I can go? I am not necessairly looking for people's opinions on companies yet, just the facts of what they off. Thanks.

Good news just keeps rolling in. I found out that Central Refridgerated and Werner will let me take my wife from day one too. I also got more pre hire letters. I got Warner, Roehl, and Boyd Brothers. I am still waiting on others too. At the end of this week may have 10 to 11 pre hire letters. It may be overkill, but like you said, Brett, I want to keep all my options open. I guess now I have to decide if I want to hall vans, refers, or skateboards. I have time to think about it. I start school in June, so I have time. Brett, been reading your book for those wanting to get into the industry and I am already learning alot. Didn't know that the tankers were that hard to drive, but not thinking on it, it really makes sense and makes me glad I didn't apply for any tanker jobs, though I am still going to get my tanker endorsement. Thanks for following along. I will continue to update as we go.

More good news just keeps coming. Yesterday I got pre-hires from Warner and Boyd Brothers. Today from Roehl, and some more should be coming in the next few days. So, now I guess I need to figure out if I want to drive vans, refers, or skateboards. LOL. So, many choices and yet so many great companies.