Profile For Scott L.

J-Rode....a buddy of mine is 52 and he is a new driver. He been driving for Knight for the last three months and he hasn't regretted it. He gets his miles and the equipment is good.

scott

DK (aka Deweykid...aka Chris),

I commend you on opening up in this forum. I too have been diagnosed with PTSD, not until the last couple of years I've always "suffered" from the diagnosis. I learned that I had to "find" those things (tools) to help me thru difficult moments. Such as in the beginning, attending VA PTSD support groups, finding power greater then myself, listening to music, go on drives, hikes, reading, etc. I found that there isn't one tool that works 100% of the time for me. Keep looking for those tools that will help you.

Scott

Notice recently that this site has been pretty much at top of Yahoo! searches. SWEET!

I refuse to become an iTurd.. I mean.. .and iThing user :)

I gotta start using this saying. :)

May - Spoke with recruiter today, for those wishing to use their remaining GI Bill/Post 9/11 benefits. If prospective drives uses his/her benefits to earn their CDL, they can still use the company's Tuition Reimbursement (TR) which entails $150/month reimbursed for 48 months up to $7,200 total. Which (even for other companies) should be tax-free since it is a "reimbursement" and not a "salary."

If someone has used a company reimbursement, please chime in.

Richard - Awesome!

I was bored last night sitting at a bonfire with some friends and was looking thru the Play Store on my new phone and came across your APP. Awesome!

Ryan - I know some states have programs to help you get employment, particularly if you've earned it during your "rehabilitation stint." Like here in San Diego, there is a program called "Second Chance" which helps former and current felons with training and job placement. Recommend seek out a local agency to help you with this.

Oh man, that's a bummer that these programs are run through the individual states instead of the Feds. Sure would be a whole lot easier to gather and organize information from one source instead of each of the 48 Continental States.

Yea it would, but some states offer better programs than the Federal Government. Here is a good link from Military.com to help out:

http://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/state-veterans-benefits-directory.html

Also: Trucking Companies, GI Bill, And Military Veterans

Knight Transportation has updated their website showing acceptance of VA. From their website:

Knight Transportation’s Driver Training Program is now Veteran’s Administration Certified for the State of Arizona. Don't know if that means it is only accepted at the Phoenix training or if you need to be from Arizona to use it. If you are thinking about Knight, make sure you ask the recruiter for more information.

Here's the link www.DriveKnight.com/pc/Training/index.html

Sandman - I talked to Krysta (recruiter) there Monday, right now they are only approved for the Phoenix training location but are working on getting approved for the VA OJT program. Matter of fact while talking to her on the phone she sent an instant message to her VA fella to check on the status. She says she is getting more and more calls from VETS about it and hope it gets approved soon.

Hey folks, just to let you know...please don't be so defensive in my post.

There was nothing in my post itself that implied driver error. Dave & Rebel - I am neutral concerning this incident.

Though I would like to point out, that this state (California) is one of the most unfriendliest to the trucking industry and incidents such as this (whether driver is at fault or not) painstakingly makes for more laws and legislation against current and future drivers.

Steven - It is called the Illinois Veteran's Grant (IVG). I lived in Danville when I joined the Navy and only used it for one college course. I totally forgot about that.

Here is some basic info on it directly from Illinois website: Illinois Veterans' Grant

The Illinois Veterans’ Grant (IVG) Program pays tuition and certain fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities and community colleges for eligible Illinois veterans. An individual must: •Be an honorably discharged veteran; and •Reside in Illinois six months before entering the service; and •Have at least one full year of active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. This includes veterans who were assigned to active duty in a foreign country in a time of hostilities in that country, regardless of length of service; and •Return to Illinois within six months of discharge from the service; and

Applications and additional information are available from the VSO Offices of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, college financial aid offices or the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), 1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, 60015, telephone 847-948-8550 or 800-899-ISAC, www.collegezone.com.

Truck Driver Training

On-The-Job Training Programs

Eagle Training Services Inc.

9182 Pyott Road Lake In The Hills, IL 60156

Eagle Training Services

2210 Harrison Avenue Rockford, IL 61104

Illinois Teamsters / Employers Apprenticeship and Training Fund

990 NE Frontage Rd., Suite 4 Joliet, IL 60431-2764

Progressive Driving School, Inc.

5538 W. Belmont Avenue Chicago, IL 60641

Star Truck Driving School-Bensenville

710 Larsen Lane Bensenville, IL 60106

Truck Centers Inc.

2280 Formosa Rd. Troy, IL 62294

Woody,

In laymans term, Per Diem is a specific amount the IRS allows an individual to be "credited" for Meals & Incidentals (M&I) when an employee is working away from "home" such as a Trucker Driver. The rate is "flat" meaning $59 bucks a day while on the road (but the first and last day is only 1/2). But the rate can fluctuate between tax years.

What I've seen in my research of companies that pay Per Diem, on average $0.12/cpm. Which means you would have to drive 491.666 miles a day to get the full $59/day. So days you aren't driving, rest, etc. Then employee would have to keep tabs of that, all-in-all it just seems the math would give me a headache. So I am looking at not worrying about company Per Diem pay but just to write all off/credit at end of year.

Edit: as of October 1, 2015, per diem rate for truck drivers has increased to $63/day, $68/day for travel outside of the continental U.S.

Thank you sir.

Agghhh! You said "sir", I worked when I was active duty (aka enlisted).

There are several programs to help VETS such as you that "fell thru the cracks" especially if you have any service connected disability. Many states have vet programs for retraining too.

ALCON - If your state has a VET program let us know.

Additional VA approved companies for the OJT/Apprentice program:

Anderson Gordon Crete

Soon: Knight (per recruiter)

If we can gather enough resources for military personnel I can add a section to the website for it.

Awesome! I work from Home so I'll get all the info together I can and put on this thread. For example, I called Knight yesterday. Talked to recruiter my friend used and Knight is working on getting approved for the OJT/Apprenticeship program.

Since many of us VETS are either working on entering the Trucking Industry and are already using VA (or other veteran's) benefits, or are trying to figure out how to use one's benefits, this Thread will be to help find the answers we are looking for.

Apparently the driver "The big rig hit the freeway's barrier with such force that it broke through and dangled over the edge of the freeway" check out the article.

http://www.royaltruckdrivingjobs.com/news.html

TailGunner - Roger....I've driven across country a few times (family lives in Buffalo) and have looked at some things in Truck Stops and they always seem to be pricey.

I don't see how a company can get away with something like this.