Newbie: Beginning Search For Company With CDL Training Program.

Topic 1363 | Page 1

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BugSmasherOne (Paul K.)'s Comment
member avatar

Brett -

Thanks for the great website. Have spent a few days lurking around and reading tons of great information. I have just registered and will definitely complete the online CDL training before starting any program, whether it is required to start the training or not. I like the idea of being ahead of the training and being able to use their information as a refresher rather than trying to cram new information.

Little introduction to me. I'm 56 retired military, Masters degree in nursing with a specialty in anesthesia. Have done nursing and anesthesia for the past 30 years, military and civilian, and have decided it is time to retire that profession and begin anew. I have always wanted to drive an eighteen wheeler since being a kid. Grew up in farm country in Wisconsin and have driven almost everything with a motor. From motorcycles to all types of farm equipment, the smart-for-two car to a one ton dually with triple axle 38 foot fifth wheel to a 40 foot diesel pusher motorhome, and submarines(6 years in the Navy) to airplanes (I have my private pilots license).

Using your web page information, today I have applied to four companies, talked with two recruiters and have asked if I was available to start with both on Monday. Whoa! That was fast. I am checking out programs and plan on starting a program in a couple of weeks. I want to complete the online CDL training and I have a one week trip planned to visit my first grandchild first.

I will keep the post going and keep everyone informed of my progress. Thanks again for the great web page and training site.

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.
Old School's Comment
member avatar

Welcome aboard Sandman! Make sure you go through all the materials in the High Road training program, it can be daunting at times but there is some really valuable stuff in their in the weights and balance section and the log book section that will help you immensely in your future career.

Glad to have you here. If you have any questions or curiosities feel free to ask us.

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.
BugSmasherOne (Paul K.)'s Comment
member avatar

I have completed applications with PAM. Prime, Swift and Knight. I talked with recruiters from PAM and Knight, both offering immediate start dates.

I have decided to go with Knight, starting on Sept. 23. After researching the companies online and reading many comments on TT, I think that all four of the companies would be great. Two things put Knight in the lead.

  1. The training school that I will attend is here in MS.
  2. They have a terminal close to my home, which I hope will make it more convenient for home stops.

Well, time to get cracking on the studying for the permits. Need to have those in hand before school starts.

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
BugSmasherOne (Paul K.)'s Comment
member avatar

Getting ready to start the Knight CDL training program Sept. 23 in Olive Branch, MS. Talked with the recruiter a couple of times and plan on driving to the school as not to far from home. The recruiter said the price of the greyhound ticket will be deducted from the reimbursable amount for the school.

My wife and I are currently visiting the youngest daughter, husband and 1st grandchild. This is what life is truly about.

I have completed the HIgh Roads training program and continue to do the review questions. I need to stay sharp, as I will take the CDL permit tests this Thursday when we return home. For the Knight training in Olive Branch, you need to have your permit in hand.

I have been reading a lot on the forum and numerous blog posts here on TruckingTruth. This has been a great resource and the High Road CDL training is awesome.

I will put a couple more entries on this thread about the permit exam and then start a new thread when strting the training program.

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.
Brett Aquila's Comment
member avatar

Sounds great Sandman!!!! Looking forward to following along with you at Knight! smile.gif

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.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

BugSmasherOne (Paul K.)'s Comment
member avatar

Just returned from the MS Department of Public Safety with my newly minted Class A CDL Learner's Permit. You could almost put an "easy button" on it after study the High Roads CDL course. Thanks again Brett!

Talked with the Knight recruiter and I am all set to head to Olive Branch, MS for training on Monday.

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.
Brett Aquila's Comment
member avatar

Awesome news! Congrats Sandman!

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.
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