Comments By Big Red

G Town thanks for clearing that up for me. I didn't understand the 6 months point either. I want a dedicated wal Mary account. That way I already have a connection with the D.C. And the stores. I don't want anything temporary. Got to be in it for the long run.

Sun King suggests:

If Walmart is the ultimate goal, find out which companies handle overflow or handle store deliveries for the DC you are interested in. I was on a overflow assignment for my company for two weeks at a Walmart DC around thanksgiving. You get a good understanding of the environment and get to know the office staff and some drivers. You also get a Walmart ID so when you do apply they have a record of you.

A few things of note: in these situations you have to not be a "subcontractor" for Walmart for 6 months. Also, check the hiring requirements. I know you have to be actively driving for 30 months before hiring and have hazmat.

Sun King I don't understand the 6 months point you made here. If Kurtis is working for a Dedicated Carrier partnering with Walmart, he is not considered a subcontractor. At my DC Walmart has hired many of our drivers right from the SWIFT ranks with no gap, went from SWIFT Dedicated at the DC to WMPF at the same DC in one day. Hazmat is desirable,...if you don't have it, they suggest and will help you get it. I have run Walmart store deliveries for over 4 years, 1400+ deliveries and never once needed my Hazmat endorsement.

Again, if he is serious about this, hiring on with a carrier that has a Dedicated Walmart contract is the absolute best way to go. Although overflow is a good introduction, a full-time track record of 3 or more consecutive years of 100% on-time, no accidents delivering to Walmart Stores and SAMs is what will get their attention and place him ahead of most applicants.

Sun King yes it is the ultimate goal. I was going to look for a wal mart route and see if I can jump on that route. Yea you have to have at least 3 years OTR before you can apply to them. I think my biggest fear is being stuck on a dollar general account. I don't mind doing a little work but unloading a truck is not for me. I did that in the military and before the military and I want to get in this business to just drive the open road not be a lumper. I'm not saying that it's a bad thing because that's what some people want to do and that is great but for me I been there done that and I hated unloading trucks. I did it for fedex ground and it suck and I didn't stay with the company because of that. I want to do what I love the most which is drive.

If Walmart is the ultimate goal, find out which companies handle overflow or handle store deliveries for the DC you are interested in. I was on a overflow assignment for my company for two weeks at a Walmart DC around thanksgiving. You get a good understanding of the environment and get to know the office staff and some drivers. You also get a Walmart ID so when you do apply they have a record of you.

A few things of note: in these situations you have to not be a "subcontractor" for Walmart for 6 months. Also, check the hiring requirements. I know you have to be actively driving for 30 months before hiring and have hazmat.

G-Town. Thank you for the information. Really helped me out figuring out a plan. Patrick C. Thanks for the welcome good to know I have some brothers in arms out here driving for this country.

Hey Guys. So I'll be starting CDL training on 30 Jan. The school I chose was Phoenix Truck School. They are based out of Phoenix, AZ, but have a school opening at Ft. Bliss, TX. I just exited the Army and want trucking to be my new career. I chose this school specifically because you get all your endorsements with your CDL. They just don't focus on your Class A. The school is about 8 weeks long. I do have pre hires with Werner and Schneider already. The ultimate goal is to be a driver for Walmart. I wanted to see if anyone has been to this school before in Phoenix, and is there anybody in the El Paso area that will be starting school there. We could link up and knock this out together if possible. Also wanted to get your opinions of OTR or regional with either of these companies. As far as miles, estimate pay, loading and unloading options. I prefer OTR because I know that's what I will need for being a driver for Wal-Mart. Thank you guys for all your help and opinions. I like to read people's reviews and thoughts. If you guys have any other recommendations as far as my schooling, training, companies feel free to type away. Can't wait to start learning from you guys and joining you on the roads of this country.

Old School. Thank you for pointing that out. I do not have a problem learning from multiple trainers. I was just worried about the training taking longer than expected. I know how to drive trucks and have been doing so in the military for the past 8 years. So im very comfortable going up hill downhill backing up etc. LIke I said just worried about switching out and how long it will take for me to get another trainer to continue and finish. I appreciate your information. I like the way you break things down and give newcomers a different perceptive on things. Thank you so much

I want to thank all of you guys for your help. I guess I need to wait for school for the recruiters. I just did the pre-hire with Schneider and Werner. They both offer the apprenticeship program and offfer tuition reimbursement and payout of the G.I. Bill. I just wanted to see if there were any other people that has been in this situation. Complete school then have to report to the reserve unit 30 days after ETS date. My biggest concern was should I just finish school then report to my reserve unit and then head to orientation then the 6 week training. Because I don't know if the Reserves will allow me to complete my 6 week training so I can go solo or will they make me come back do my drill or whatever then get back into training. By doing that I risk not getting the same trainer and will more than likely have to get another trainer so now I have to start over and prove all my skills I learned with one trainer with the new one. Just wanted to see if anyone has done this type of process. I appreciate everyone's responses. Seems like Werner and Schneider is the places to go. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated as well.

Hi guys. I hope I can get some type of feedback. First off I'm active duty and I'm on Terminal Leave right now. I start my CDL Training with Yuma on 30 Jan and it will be 8 weeks long. After that I plan on joining with Werner and going to orientation with them and then on the road for 6 weeks for training. My question for you guys is my terminal leave ends on 23 March and I joined the reserves and have to report to them no later than 30 days after my ETS date. How will this work if I'm on the road for for six weeks training. I could leave and go report and get back on the road but that means I have to wait for another trainer and probably have to redo everything I did with other trainer. Does anyone know if the Army reserves will let me complete my 6 week training before reporting or if I just call them and explain them the situation. Has anyone dealt with this before. I know I can just call my reserve unit and get answers but I would like some type of feedback from this community if anyone had dealt with this before. I appreciate your help and feedback and thank you guys so much.