I Have The CDL In Hand, Now I Just Need Training?

Hello ya'll. First off I just want to thank everyone for posting and keeping this going, I've worked hard for the past few weeks to get my CDL , and you all have helped every step of the way. I'm a first time poster and I'm not sure if I'll get a response in time, but here goes. I'm 22, no significant other, and no kids, just trying to find the right company. I care less about money, because I'm single, than actually getting with a decent company. I've heard many horror stories of different companies taking advantage of women and am just wanting somewhere where I am appreciate for my hard work. I've thrown Shinider, Werner, Knight, and a few others out the door because they seem too nerve racking to start out. I wish I could go with a smaller company but they usually require at least a few months of training off the bat. My top choices right now are Prime Inc., Estes, and maybe Xpo logs, I'm completely lost to be honest cause I want to be more than a number, but I also understand I have to earn my place. Can anyone give me some advice, maybe someone who has worked/ trained at either of these companies. I'm willing to just take crap for a year to get the expire nice but I don't want to choose wrong and get turned off by trucking because I'm very excited to start. Any help would be amazing. Thank you all for your support to the other amazing women that have rallied up and done what most would say impossible. :]

Hi Melenda! Welcome to TT! Always great to have another lady around!

I just finished up orientation with TransAm and am waiting on my trainer. They are a super female friendly company who have multiple female trainers. I have gotten nothing but respect and professionalism in my time here from everyone at the terminal. They have amazing equipment and run all automatics which I am absolutely loving! Their pay is a little lower than the norm at 30 cpm , but the perks in the trucks make up for it! APUs are standard on all their equipment as well as refrigerators and their tv package (22" tv, DirectTV, DVR, NFL Sunday ticket and HBO). They do not run east of Colorado but have limited runs to LA. Their tuition reimbursement is $6000 and there is no contract with that. Training is 9 days in Kansas at their terminal and then 11-18 days with a trainer.

Only downside to them is that they push the lease hard. My suggestion is to just make it clear that you want to be a company driver and just hold that position.

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.

CPM:

Cents Per Mile

Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.