Apollo Transfer Company

This company delivers bobtails (new, used and repairs). They pay the driver $.96/mile and then costs are deducted from that. I got my CDL in January 2013 and never utilized it so I'm not considered a "recent graduate" anymore, therefore companies I've contacted want me to go through a refresher course. Apollo doesn't require it because it's just tractors. I figure if I do this for a few months, I can get the wheel time I need to get other companies to drop the refresher requirement. In my research I can't find anything positive so I'm turning to you all for some input/advice. I know I can get solid information from everyone here that I can't get anywhere else.

Thanks!

Bumping this up hoping someone can throw me a bone before I make the leap and sign on with them.

Don't you think companies will still want you to have training/experience hauling trailers?

Don't you think companies will still want you to have training/experience hauling trailers?

This is a very good point. Companies really want the experience hauling freight. I do know with moving the trucks. You are responsible for every little thing. I would suggest videotaping the pre trip and post trip. It has to be the same way you got it, when you deliver it.

Don't you think companies will still want you to have training/experience hauling trailers?

This is a very good point. Companies really want the experience hauling freight. I do know with moving the trucks. You are responsible for every little thing. I would suggest videotaping the pre trip and post trip. It has to be the same way you got it, when you deliver it.

I like the idea of pictures/videotaping. Always good to CYA.

Does anyone have any information about or experience with the company itself?

I'm not familiar with that company but I certainly don't think you should be making career decisions based upon not taking a refresher course. Pick the company you want to be with doing the job you want to do. If they require a week or so of training, so be it. Don't sweat it. You'll be a lot better off in the long run.

And I agree with those guys above....I don't think just moving tractors is going to count as experience to a lot of companies.

They pay the driver $.96/mile and then costs are deducted from that

And what the heck does that mean? Costs of what? Fuel? Hotel rooms? Are they technically making you an independent contractor?

I think you're better off with a refresher course or contact one of the Company-Sponsored Training Programs. They'll get you on the road as quickly as possible. They won't want you sitting around a backing range when you can be out there hauling freight instead. So they'll give you whatever training they feel you need and send you out there.

I'm not familiar with that company but I certainly don't think you should be making career decisions based upon not taking a refresher course. Pick the company you want to be with doing the job you want to do. If they require a week or so of training, so be it. Don't sweat it. You'll be a lot better off in the long run.

And I agree with those guys above....I don't think just moving tractors is going to count as experience to a lot of companies.

They pay the driver $.96/mile and then costs are deducted from that

And what the heck does that mean? Costs of what? Fuel? Hotel rooms? Are they technically making you an independent contractor?

I think you're better off with a refresher course or contact one of the Company-Sponsored Training Programs. They'll get you on the road as quickly as possible. They won't want you sitting around a backing range when you can be out there hauling freight instead. So they'll give you whatever training they feel you need and send you out there.

You hit the nail on the head, Brett. I would be an independent contractor and any costs incurred come off that $0.96 per mile. They do break down approximate costs and you average about $0.26/mile take home. It's not the extra week or so that the refresher course would take, it's the extra cost. The school that I went to for my CDL wants a couple grand for a refresher. I just thought this opportunity might be a way to get some experience while earning a paycheck. I'm not getting a warm fuzzy from feedback here nor from what I've read online about the company itself so I will continue my search.

When you're going to need a refresher course, make sure you consult the company that is going to hire you, not the schools themselves. Each company will have different requirements and will accept different schools. One might tell you to get a 20 hour refresh from one school while another company will require a 40 hour refresh from a different school. So apply for Truck Driving Jobs, make follow-up phone calls to make sure everyone is working on your app instead of letting it sit in a pile collecting dust, and ask each company what they would require from you for a refresher course.

I would definitely look into the Company-Sponsored Training Programs also. If any of those companies interest you, that's probably going to be the quickest and least expensive way to get out there and get rolling.

I'm not familiar with that company but I certainly don't think you should be making career decisions based upon not taking a refresher course. Pick the company you want to be with doing the job you want to do. If they require a week or so of training, so be it. Don't sweat it. You'll be a lot better off in the long run.

And I agree with those guys above....I don't think just moving tractors is going to count as experience to a lot of companies.

They pay the driver $.96/mile and then costs are deducted from that

And what the heck does that mean? Costs of what? Fuel? Hotel rooms? Are they technically making you an independent contractor?

I think you're better off with a refresher course or contact one of the Company-Sponsored Training Programs. They'll get you on the road as quickly as possible. They won't want you sitting around a backing range when you can be out there hauling freight instead. So they'll give you whatever training they feel you need and send you out there.

You hit the nail on the head, Brett. I would be an independent contractor and any costs incurred come off that $0.96 per mile. They do break down approximate costs and you average about $0.26/mile take home. It's not the extra week or so that the refresher course would take, it's the extra cost. The school that I went to for my CDL wants a couple grand for a refresher. I just thought this opportunity might be a way to get some experience while earning a paycheck. I'm not getting a warm fuzzy from feedback here nor from what I've read online about the company itself so I will continue my search.

This just sounds like what Joseph canell (guy from YouTube) did for a while. Don't know the name of the company he worked for. He now drives in the oil fields. He would video him picking up the trucks and checking everything. He would also haul his personal car with the truck. So I don't really know. Maybe add him on facebook and ask him about it?