Posted: 5 years, 12 months ago
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To Drivers Who Went to CFI's CDL Program
Don, I am currently at Crowder College through CFI and the training is superb but each person gets out of it what they put into it. Lots of practice and studying the Pretrip inspection. I know that CFI uses both schools because they have a good reputation and train their students to be the best drivers they can be but the learning is an ongoing thing once you get into a truck with your finisher and then your own truck. I believe that Crowder is the first place they put students and then overflow is sent to Truck Dynasty but I am not 100% on that assessment. CFI decides ultimately where they send the students, but the training is the same time frame. As what Rainy had mentioned do not get completely hung up on where you would be sent to but what CFI can offer you when you are finished with school. I can also tell you that our instructors tell us that Missouri has the strictest rules and regulations on what training is required for the CDL test, meaning that more is taught to the students than is required by the CDL requirements. So in my opinion that is good to know so that I am being giving more than necessary so that I can be the safest driver I can when out on the road, you are given the tools needed and then it is up to us to put them to use. I hope this helps.
On another note, when at Crowder you do not need any money for food or housing. Only money needed is for laundry and walmart runs that the school provides via bus on Mondays. If you have a vehicle of your own then you can go whenever you want. All meals are provided at no cost to the student. Weekends too!
Posted: 6 years ago
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Riot, if there is anything that you would be concerned about I would be upfront about it right away and let the company decide if it is something they feel uncomfortable with. It is when people are not upfront with things that creates the problems, better to put it out there no matter what than have it found out later then they know that you lied and then the trust is out the window. I feel that if people admit to mistakes they made when they were teenagers and young adults it is better than not disclosing it. Companies understand people make mistakes and often learn from them and they understand that if it is explained at the time. People often times that stuff like that won't come out yet it always has a way of happening and companies will find it when they look for it.
Posted: 6 years ago
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Glad it is all going well Jmart. I bet you cannot wait to get into your own truck. I am finishing my second week tomorrow. I'll tell caleb you say hello. Mid terms tomorrow. Then a hard push next week to get ready for CDL testing.
Posted: 6 years ago
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Article By Rainy - The Mental Side of Trucking: Decision Making & Judgment
Very Very good article, thank you Rainy for the helpful information we can all use and learn from.
Posted: 6 years ago
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Well we are in our second week of school and we are doing more driving each day along with practicing parking maneuvers as well. Each day the drives do get easier each time you do them and they are on different routes each time. Each person in the truck does the same route that the person before does so that each person gets to do that route and know what each route entails. I am definitely feeling more confident in each of my drives, the downshifting is definitely the most difficult since you have to be able to time the shifting to each low gear and the RPM of the vehicle. It does get easier but it does make one want to pull their hair out when it is hard to do.....LOL. I can honestly say that it does get easier with time and the more you do it. The instructor is very helpful and patient. I must say that the training here at Crowder is excellent and if you do what the instructors tell you and practice it you will learn it. I am very happy with my decision to come to CFI and encourage anyone that is looking for a company that wants you to do well and be treated fairly then CFI is the one you want. I encourage everyone to do their research and make the best decision for themselves and their family since that is the ultimate goal. CFI is investing in the company and that to me is a very good thing when it comes to working for a company that is going to be helping me to also be able to provide for myself and my family. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have and I will do my best to answer them.
Posted: 6 years ago
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Calling Big Scott. Ring..Ring...
Don, I am at Crowder for CFI and we have not gone out on the road yet. Should be doing that this coming week, I have only been here for one week so far. Our class is ahead of schedule so we will probably get some things in that other classes have not simply because we are doing well with what we are doing. It is not always like that, it just depends on the instructor and how well the students do in that class. I really like the training I am receiving and the instructors do a good job of making sure we are getting what they are teaching us. It is very hands on and that is something that is necessary in trucking. I have 13 actual class days to go until we Graduate, Good Friday is an off day and the rest will be class and driving range/road time with testing done the last week I believe. I am excited about finishing and moving on to get my trucking career started. Good luck with whatever it is that you decide to do.
Posted: 6 years ago
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Best Cell phone companies for truck drivers?
I currently have Tmobile and here in Neosho Missouri the service is not great. I have wifi at Crowder College in school for training for CFI. I bought a prepaid phone for AT&T so I have another option. The service is a little better but still not perfect, but all the carriers have dead zones and weak areas so I don't think there is one better than the other as a whole since they concentrate on all the metro areas due to population census. I am happy with Tmobile as a whole but currently signal is low. Hopefully OTR they will have service in most of the areas I end up in.
Posted: 6 years ago
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Riot, I am almost positive they feed you on the weekends. As far as driving there, CFI pays for the bus ticket. If you choose alternate transportation, they will reimburse up to the cost of the bus ticket. If you have your car there and go right out with your trainer after school, you would leave your car in the driver parking area. Or you would go home after school and orientation to wait for a trainer. Then you could leave the car home. If you drive, you will be the most popular guy in school. I hope that helps.
That is true Scott. Usually people ask if they can tag along to go to Walmart or something since the bus only takes people that need to go on mondays only.
Posted: 6 years ago
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Chuck, at Crowder, do they furnish free meals over the weekends?
How many students are in your class?
Do you recommend driving your own vehicle or taking the bus?
Good luck and keep us updated.
Yes they do provide meals on the weekends. Breakfast is the only thing not available on the weekends since it starts at 7 am during the week. We started with 6 and down to four. One had to go back home to correct his license due to the state he is from made a mistake. Another was sent for some other reason related to his past that crowder couldn't allow. He is now at truck dynasty. I wish I would have e drove actually, just because the bus trip was very long and without a vehicle it's hard to go anywhere. Crowder is not close to anything by walking.
Posted: 5 years, 12 months ago
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CFI CDL Training
Good luck Jmart and each person has to do what is best for them. I am sure you will be great no matter what. I will be done with school in less than 2 weeks. Orientation and then going home to relax before I go out with my trainer. Take care and keep us posted.