Comments By Whitetail

I am starting with Millis on July 5th. I realize it's a long way off but, I chose that date to time my paychecks in a beneficial manner to ease my transition from my current job. I will keep you all updated as I go through my training and the steps leading up to it. Based on all of the research I have done on this website and on my own, this is the best company out there that offers schooling. The starting pay is amazing but....the pay increases are small. Over time it all averages out. I gotta believe that they are trying to attract drivers that will decide they like the company and stay. I'm sold, can't see a reason why I would leave until I get my own truck. Unfortunately there is no lease option. Make sure you spend time talking to the recruiters. I'll be driving a stick at the school. I may have to wait for a trainer that drives a stick truck. This is very important. CDL licensing is changing. If you train and test on an automatic, you won't be able to drive a manual. Not all states do that yet but they soon will. Invest your time carefully. I am in a very fortunate position. When my CDL schooling is done I can go back to my current job and wait on a trainer. Already had that discussion with my boss. Millis is switching to all automatics. If you want manual, your looking at OTR. Fine by me, that's what I want anyhow. Eventually that's going to go away as well. Long live the 10 speeds and 13 speeds. I will provide updates as necessary. Peace y'all.

Staring on July 5th at the Ohio location, can't wait. I put a long post on here but for some reason it didn't go through. Walker and Chris, hopefully I'll see you out there some day. Can't wait to get behind the wheel :) Good luck with everything. Keep in touch.

Yup, I just had to send them some 1099s for the same reason. When you call in ask for Peggy. She seems to be the most knowledgeable person in the recruiting department. She's a real sweetheart. And she is a former driver, so she'll be better equipped to address your concerns. She wasn't in today, but she will be tomorrow. I'd definitely ask her about that driving schedule, because that's not what she told me. I did learn something else today that's not on the website. Your contract is for one year. However, if you stay for another 6 months they reimburse you in full for your tuition. That is according to another recruiter. I'll be verifying that tomorrow when I talk to Peggy.

Chris, I was told by my recruiter to call when my application was successfully submitted. She said it'll speed up the process. I just sent mine in but its after business hours, so I'll be calling in first thing tomorrow.

Best of luck Walker, keep us posted! I was on the phone with a recruiter yesterday for over an hour. After that conversation, Millis is the only company I'll be looking at. I've been researching companies non-stop for the last week or so. There are a few gems out there, but none of them had as much to offer in my eyes. I was basically pre-accepted over the phone. Submitting my application tomorrow. Maybe I'll see you out there some day :)

I have spent several days looking over this website. I gotta say, I extremely impressed with how much information has been gathered, and the online community that surrounds it. I posted a few days ago asking for guidance on choosing a school. I took the advice I was given, and fully explored this site. I'm considering Millis Transfer, and I'd love to hear opinions from current and former employees. Their tuition program is a little weird compared to some, but there seem to be a lot of advantages for me in that company. I have to imagine that every driver (or soon to be driver) is looking for different things in a company. Everything in life is subjective, so that's understandable. The main benefits I am seeing are proximity to my home, and the fact that the company is a little smaller than most. I like that aspect of it a lot. My dad works for a smaller carrier and loves it because of the family feel of the company. It would stand to reason that it's easier to build a more personal relationship with dispatchers and DMs in a smaller company. I live in Ohio, and they have a training facility in Ohio. That's a big plus in my book, because I won't have to worry about getting a new license from another state, testing there, and then having to transfer it all back in Ohio. Cost aside, it's just a hassle I'm looking to avoid if I can. Those here who have had to do it can testify, those fees add up and it's not exactly chump change. And in some cases you will have to re-test in your home state. Not sure if Ohio makes you re-test. I have zero issues with criminal history, no pointable driving offenses since 1999, and will fly through a drug screen, so I'm not worried about any of that. My only concern about choosing Millis (or any company for that matter) is being locked in for a year. Once you're in with a company, you gotta ride it out. Every company has its issues, and there is no such thing as a perfect job. I understand that. I'm 42 and have a pretty decent job, so this is a big chance that I'm taking, for both me and my wife. I really want to drive, and she is right there behind me. I know that driving is what I want to do, I have for a very long time. I just need to be sure that I am making the best choice I can when I get started. I have not talked to a recruiter yet, I will be doing that at some point tomorrow. If anyone out there has any personal experience with this company, I'd love to hear from you. Thanks guys, be careful out there. Your responses will be greatly appreciated.

Wow, I was hoping for responses, didn't expect to get that many so fast! Clearly, I have accidentally stumbled upon a great site :) @ C. S., reviews from current drivers is exactly what I'm looking for. I understand that these days the internet is full of people spewing venom and bashing former employers. It's hard to know what's legit and what isn't. I guess my biggest question for you would be how much experience did you have before you started with Celadon? I would have to guess that has a lot to do with it. All of the bad reviews were from brand new drivers. Based on everything my dad told me over the years, companies will starve people that they know deserve to be weeded out. I get it, and completely understand that. I have a good work ethic, so I'm not worried about that. I just want to make sure that whatever company I choose actually has the freight to move so that my bills are getting paid. Thanks for your responses guys, much appreciated.

Thank you in advance to all who respond to this post. I have wanted to drive for a very long time, and I am ready to just jump in and do it. I have been in construction most of my life, and I'm ready for this change that I should have done years ago. My wife is understandably nervous with an occupation change, because my job is pretty stable. Because of what she means to me, I need to be able to reassure her that this move isn't a scary one. My dad has around 15 years of driving under his belt and works for a really good company. His pay is insane, and I know that I can get there but his experience is what is defining his income. I am 42, and have no trucking experience. I have owned 15 cars in my life, only 3 of which were automatic. If it isn't a stick, I hate it, wouldn't matter if it was a Ferrari. I have experience driving large box trucks, most of which are about the same size as a bobtail tractor. No air brake experience. I have driven trucks (pickup trucks) with trailers and do fairly well. I'm researching companies that offer CDL training, and I need to pick one that REAL truckers view as a good choice. I was looking at Celadon, but former driver reviews were awful. I understand that any company offering free training is going to be rough until the contract is completed but...I need my first dip into this pool to be the smartest decision I can make. The money needs to be as consistent as possible, and I need to make $40k. I work hard, I understand that I will have to earn my stripes. My driving record is perfect, pretty much. I haven't had a ticket since 1999. I am drug free and will happily test. I do not have anything at all on my criminal record, not even a jaywalking offense. All I want is a company that will treat me well, and therefore make this transition more comfortable. I have a few quesions. Please let me know if what I am looking for is realistic. And again, thanks in advance for your response(s). Hope to see you guys on the road soon!

1) How long can I truly expect to be in class? Websites and recruiters are sketchy at best 2) When do I actually start getting paid? 3) All companies offering training are helpful to anyone's career, but who has the best reputation for taking care of new drivers? 4) What company is know for low staff turnover rates (driver managers, etc)? 5) Bottom line, money. I'm not looking to get rich, I just need to replace my current pay. Where can I actually earn $40k my first year? I have no problem being gone from home for long periods, I just want to know that the money is there. I don't want to be sitting regularly waiting on loads while my bills are coming in.