I Need Help Choosing Schools Or Training Companies!!

Hello EVERYONE, I am looking at obtaining my CDL A. I have a CDL B but haven't drove in a couple years. I am really confused about where to apply. I did apply to Prime but it seems as though they are taking too long to check my employment history.....not sure why?

Driver Solutions also sent information about training with PAM. Im not interested in Swift at all! Then I talked with Roadmaster and SAGE Trucking schools. But, I think I want to train at a company because I cannot afford the tuition cost of the private schools.

I am really excited about my choice to become a truck driver but I am disappointed about which route to take to get there. I was sold on Prime but my recruiter does not seem pro-active......

Does anyone have any suggestions? Do you know of any other training companies? I live in NC.

Hey, I am in NC too! As far as Prime is concerned, I agree. I really liked them as I looked at schools. Talked to a recruiter a couple of times. Then it just seemed like they were not that interested in getting me moving along in the process. With a perfect background, no drugs, no convictions, etc. They did the initial background and said I was good to go. I thought they would be a little more aggressive to get the process going. It made me shy away from them. They have not called me back once to ask if I was still interested. No emails. Nothing. I guess they just have too many applicants! I really like Roehl. The recruiter has been great! The downside is the cost to you to go to school is a bit higher. Prime gave me the feel of being a number or just a butt in the seat. Roehl has made me feel very welcome from day one. They seem to have the success of the employee in mind as well as the company.

As for other companies, look on this site at all the company sponsored schools. I read every single one of them. There are even more than those out there. I don't know how to post the link to it but click up top where it says Trucking Schools. Just remember, most of the experienced people on here will tell you, the first year at any company will be pretty much the same. Blanket apply and see what gets offered! Good Luck!

Ol, one more thing. You do have to be aggressive. If you want Prime, call every day and sit on hold until you get to the recruiter. They will not call you. None of them will from what I have seen. You have got to be very aggressive but polite. Once they have some invested time and money in you, they tend to start calling more! You have to show them that you want it! Call everyday if you have too.

Companies receive thousands of apps everyday. The recruiters can only do so much. Once you send in the app you need to be calling at least once a day for best results. Companies need drivers badly but are only going to pursue the ones that they feel really want the job and that means making a pest out of yourself.

Hey, I am in NC too! As far as Prime is concerned, I agree. I really liked them as I looked at schools. Talked to a recruiter a couple of times. Then it just seemed like they were not that interested in getting me moving along in the process. With a perfect background, no drugs, no convictions, etc. They did the initial background and said I was good to go. I thought they would be a little more aggressive to get the process going. It made me shy away from them. They have not called me back once to ask if I was still interested. No emails. Nothing. I guess they just have too many applicants! I really like Roehl. The recruiter has been great! The downside is the cost to you to go to school is a bit higher. Prime gave me the feel of being a number or just a butt in the seat. Roehl has made me feel very welcome from day one. They seem to have the success of the employee in mind as well as the company.

As for other companies, look on this site at all the company sponsored schools. I read every single one of them. There are even more than those out there. I don't know how to post the link to it but click up top where it says Trucking Schools. Just remember, most of the experienced people on here will tell you, the first year at any company will be pretty much the same. Blanket apply and see what gets offered! Good Luck!

Thanks Sooo Much . I applied to Roehl so we will see what happens.....I actually emailed my recruiter at Prime and he replied by asking my name and what I needed as if he didn't remember me at all....nor did he offer any explanation for processing my application slothfully

*** Trying to stay positive....

Companies receive thousands of apps everyday. The recruiters can only do so much. Once you send in the app you need to be calling at least once a day for best results. Companies need drivers badly but are only going to pursue the ones that they feel really want the job and that means making a pest out of yourself.

Okay, Thanks for the advice....I have been calling and emailing....with no real explanation from the recruiter.....he actually seems very distant and not willing to answer my questions....he also stated that if I was self employed that it could be a problem cause they had no way of tracking me....even though I had solid work history in other areas and jobs......

Thanks again I will keep trying!

Companies receive thousands of apps everyday. The recruiters can only do so much. Once you send in the app you need to be calling at least once a day for best results. Companies need drivers badly but are only going to pursue the ones that they feel really want the job and that means making a pest out of yourself.

Okay, Thanks for the advice....I have been calling and emailing....with no real explanation from the recruiter.....he actually seems very distant and not willing to answer my questions....he also stated that if I was self employed that it could be a problem cause they had no way of tracking me....even though I had solid work history in other areas and jobs......

Thanks again I will keep trying!

You literally have to account for every day with ZERO gaps. Even 1 week can be enough to stop the application from being processed. It's not the companies. DOT federal regulations says what a company can and can't accept as work history and they are serious about any gaps.

Companies receive thousands of apps everyday. The recruiters can only do so much. Once you send in the app you need to be calling at least once a day for best results. Companies need drivers badly but are only going to pursue the ones that they feel really want the job and that means making a pest out of yourself.

Okay, Thanks for the advice....I have been calling and emailing....with no real explanation from the recruiter.....he actually seems very distant and not willing to answer my questions....he also stated that if I was self employed that it could be a problem cause they had no way of tracking me....even though I had solid work history in other areas and jobs......

Thanks again I will keep trying!

You literally have to account for every day with ZERO gaps. Even 1 week can be enough to stop the application from being processed. It's not the companies. DOT federal regulations says what a company can and can't accept as work history and they are serious about any gaps.

Okay, cool.....I will keep that in mind.....I went back 10 years no gaps even accounting for college and my job I had for 12 years straight up to my current employment as a self employed person and part-time employee.....I didn't want to leave off self employment because I don't want any gaps. Plus I am licensed bonded, registered as a small business that I have been running for a few years now. However, driving a truck as a career has always been an interest of mine. I am so excited. I just want to make sure I am doing everything right....

Thanks for your input it is greatly appreciated

Companies receive thousands of apps everyday. The recruiters can only do so much. Once you send in the app you need to be calling at least once a day for best results. Companies need drivers badly but are only going to pursue the ones that they feel really want the job and that means making a pest out of yourself.

Okay, Thanks for the advice....I have been calling and emailing....with no real explanation from the recruiter.....he actually seems very distant and not willing to answer my questions....he also stated that if I was self employed that it could be a problem cause they had no way of tracking me....even though I had solid work history in other areas and jobs......

Thanks again I will keep trying!

Talk to Kim at Roehl. She has been awesome. I have NEVER had any problems getting in touch with her. If she is not available and you leave a message, she usually calls back the same day!

Ok, you guys are making a very common mistake when it comes to choosing a trucking company. You're letting the attentiveness (or lack thereof) of the recruiters affect your thinking about the company. Nothing could be further from the reality. Whether or not recruiters are quick to respond and attentive to your questions has no correlation whatsoever to the quality of the company and how you'll be treated once you start there. To say you're not going to work for Prime Inc because the recruiters won't call you back is like saying you won't buy a Ford because you went to a Ford dealership and the salesman wasn't attentive. The quality of Ford cars and how well they suit you has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the salesperson selling them. If you walk away from a company that suits you well because the salesperson (recruiter) wasn't jumping through enough hoops for you is going to hurt you in the long run. Make decisions based on things like pay, benefits, home time, equipment, types of freight, average miles per week, etc.

Here's a couple of articles that will help you understand how to choose a company to work for and deal with the recruiters. The first one is The Biggest Mistake New Drivers Make When Speaking With Recruiters and the second is Recruiters, Companies, and Schools - Choosing The Right Path Into Your Trucking Career.