Any Advice On 2 Companies For CDL Sponsorship Programs

Topic 14635 | Page 1

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Howard H.'s Comment
member avatar

Hey everyone, I really am having a tough time trying to figure out what to do. I have been approved by Celadon to do their Free CDL training up in Indy and I also have been accepted for CRST. Both of these companies are pretty big but the thing is they both require teaming after training. I've tried many times to get with Prime but my work history and living in FL doesn't reach their qualifications. I've been studying the high road program to go ahead and get my permit for Celadon but Im struggling. I haven't had a job in 2 years. If anyone could give me advice on a good school that would accept me or another company I don't know about that would train please let me know, or if you would just like to give me some insight on what some good options are. Thanks and hope everyone has a good Memorial Weekend and for any1 out there whose a Veteran, Thank you for your service. God Bless

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.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Gladhand's Comment
member avatar

Teaming isn't so bad, but what I must say is how bad so you want to do this? Because basically all these starter companies are the same. I say see what works better for you and commit. I am with Swift right now and I enjoyed the training. There is a lot of b/s in this industry but if you are willing to deal with it than any training shall do. Either way do a little more research and then decide. We can't really decide for you.

Old School's Comment
member avatar

Devan makes a great point when he asks "how bad do you want to do this?"

Are you willing to go through the associated trials of teaming with a total stranger, which includes having to share home time on a schedule which works for your partner?

I think teaming is tough, especially for your first year - it's just got a lot of associated problems that come along with the territory. If you want this new career bad enough that you are willing to go through some considerable difficulties then hang on for the ride and get it over with, but it seems to me that you still have other options, Prime is not the only other option available to you.

Have you exhausted your research into Paid CDL Training Programs?

If you are uncomfortable with the idea of teaming, then keep looking and applying. Have you applied with Swift?

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.
Howard H.'s Comment
member avatar

Thx for the points you both have pointed out. Yes I have applied through Swift and the recruiter I talked to was pretty nice. I know Prime isn't the only other option I just like their PSD and TNT training. I've applied through Millis and XPO also. Some of these other companies don't have FL as a qualifying state. I'm thinking of trying CR England but it seems you will never pay off the schooling with them since the interest rate is 18%. I cant go through Roadmaster since I have horrible credit and no one for cosigning. Im just going to keep researching.

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.

PSD:

Prime Student Driver

Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.

The following is from Prime's website:

Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.

Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days

  • Enter program, study and test for Missouri CDL permit.
  • Start driving/training at Prime Training Center in Springfield, Missouri.
  • Work toward 40,000 training dispatched miles (minimum) with food allowance while without CDL (Food allowance is paid back with future earnings).

On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles

  • Train with experienced certified CDL instructor for 3-4 weeks in a real world environment.
  • Get 75 hours of behind-the-wheel time with one-on-one student/instructor ratio.
  • Earn 10,000 miles toward total 40,000 miles needed.

TNT:

Trainer-N-Trainee

Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.

The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.

The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.

Errol V.'s Comment
member avatar

Howard, I went through Swift's school:

* No credit check

* 0% financing for $3,400 tuition + hotel

* Work for 13 months, you are out of pocket $1,950 only.

* Work for 26 months, you are actual paid back and your schooling is free!

* Road training includes team driving with your trainer. After that, teams are optional - you are solo!

Chris K.'s Comment
member avatar

Swift is top notch and so is Millis. Millis will repay everything after 18 months. Swift after 26. From everything that I have read it would be hard to choose between the two. I am actually trying to choose between the two.

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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