Questions About CFI

Hey guys. I’m considering applying for CFI soon, and I am just curious about taking the truck home during home time. I live in Knoxville, TN and I have a place to park the tractor, but not the trailer. I’ve heard that they have you take the truck and trailer home, but that wouldn’t work for me. As far as using a truck stop, it would be hard for me to arrange transportation to and from the truck stop each time, so I’d like to take the tractor home if possible and leave the trailer at a drop yard somewhere if that’s possible. Can anyone tell me how CFI handles that or what their policy is regarding taking your truck home?

CFI was a stickler for hometime parking location when I drove there. As for dropping a trailer at the closest truck stop, they will not approve it. It would not be considered a secure location. A secure location would be a company drop lot, a shipper/receiver, or a company terminal.

Parking is something you're going to have to figure out regardless of the company you go with. I can't see any company being ok with you leaving a trailer in an open location where any vehicle with a fifth wheel can pick it up. Would it be possible for you to park at a truck stop and uber home?

Knoxville, TN also has six major chain truck stops on I-40, from exit 369 to 398.

There is no yard there. My friend moved to Eastern Tennessee and parks at a Loves or Pilot close to home. He got a great Uber driver who he made friends with. He lets him know when he'll be home. He gets his ride home. I have gotten Ubers home when I get to stop at our Charlotte yard for the night. You will have to take the trailer with you. There is a big Flying J and TA in Knoxville you could park at. But plan on having that trailer. You will need that trailer when you come off of home time.

I hope that helps.

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I really appreciate it.