Orlando Newb...Roadmaster Or TDI For CDL Training And Placement?
Topic 1115 | Page 1
Hey Joe C. I graduated from TDI on July 26 and am now at orientation with Averitt Express. I loved it there. Small class is the way to go because you will get more time on the road and more reps at the range. As for the past criminal history, I would definitely start applying with companies BEFORE you go to class so you have a huge net out and a better chance to grab one. My experience recently tells me there is a company for everyone. You can apply to several with one application here: truck driving jobs
Hope this helps. I know there are more members here that can give more advice. Good luck man.
Yup, Rolling Thunder gave great advice. Some companies have a lifetime cap on serious boo boos...so you need to throw a wide net...
And Rolling Thunder...tell me that isn't your truck in your picture !!! I'd go back OTR , if they would give me a truck with a moon roof that could actually be opene
d !!!
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Welcome aboard Joe!
Yap, you can apply for truck driving jobs before even committing to attend a Truck Driving School. It's called getting a pre-hire and we have an excellent article explaining the pre-hire process so have a look at that.
Make sure you can get 2 or 3 pre-hires before committing to a school. That way you know you'll find work upon graduating with your CDL. That goes double for Florida residents because that's the toughest state in the country to find a trucking job. Not many companies like to run down there because there's very little freight coming back out.
As far as choosing a school, when visiting the schools make sure you speak with some of the current students privately. They'll definitely give you their honest opinion like Rolling Thunder did. When someone is paying good money for schooling, they're more than happy to let others know if they felt their money was well-spent or not. Both schools have major companies that hire their students - that's the most important thing you look for. Visiting the school and speaking privately with the students is also very high on the list of ways to choose a school.
We have an excellent article by the owner of Spirit CDL Training outside of Chicago called what you need to know before choosing a truck driving school and it's a great read.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre-hires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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Briefly, I'm 45 and have a 13 yr old DUI , a 21 yr old felony mj poss (adj withheld), a 25 yr old felony burglary and a 26 year old mis dis intox. I was a stupid kid. Never driven a rig and am single and have no ties. Interviewed Truck Driving Inst in Sanford this morning and Roadmaster this afternoon. Both gave essentially the same answers to all my questions. Tie? Facilities were about what I expected for a training facility but to my untrained eye Roadmaster had better rigs. Irrelevant? Roadmaster big class TDI small. Edge TDI? End result for both is CDL and placement. Cost isn't an issue if job is acquired. I'd appreciate opinions on my choice. I'm on the fence and need to make a decision ASAP.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DUI:
Driving Under the Influence