Napier Truck Driving Training....Hamilton, OH

Brett, I agree. I think it is a great thing that companies are doing that. I think some familarity while trying to learn something new and all that stress is nice. However, I get the companies not wanting to do it for saftey reasons as well. I mean you are learning a lot and is just so much knowledge to gain. It is like someone told me, "If you ain't learning something new in a truck everyday, you shouldn't be in a truck."

Anyways, I am to nine prehires , and I have 15 companies on my list that I am comparing and researching. Some are better than others, some have a bad repuation. I also think it is important to look at vans, refers and flatbeds so you just don't limit yourself to one area. If you do that you might miss out on a wonderful opportunity with a smaller company. For instance I found one company that I overlooked for a bit until I did some checking and they pay .38 a mile to start, they are flatbeds, and the coolest part is their orientation is 20 mins from my house, so the recuriter said it should be no big deal if I just drive everyday. Now, I have to wait 30 days to take my wife, but this company's schooling is here next to my house, and while in training they have promised me I would be home every other weekend. I would go home one weekend and trainer would be in hotel, then next week I would be in hotel and he would be home. A very fair trade off. Also, they have a chaplain on call or standby in case you need it. Being a christian, I believe that is a wonderful idea, and wish other companies would think of doing that too. Especially in an industry where you are so stressed constantly. Well, enough rambling for the night. God bless.

I would say just be very careful about the criteria you're using to evaluate companies. I'll give you some examples:

I have 15 companies on my list that I am comparing and researching. Some are better than others, some have a bad repuation

All companies have bad reputations if you're at TheTruckersReport where it seems everyone that ever flunked out of trucking goes to blame and bash the company that sent them packing. Do not get your opinions on companies from anonymous knuckleheads at TheTruckersReport or RipoffReport or any sites like that. Go to a local truck stop and speak directly with a company's current drivers while they're fueling up or on their way into the truck stop. You want to speak with someone face to face that's out there doing it successfully day in and day out. That's how you get the best information on a company. You'll be amazed at how happy most drivers are, especially if you've been scouring the web for opinions. Remember, people who are happy and productive don't spend much time telling the world about it. They're too busy seeing the country and making money. The complainers that aren't getting the job done (or don't have a job anymore)- they're the ones with sitting home with their big mouths running trying to blame others for their shortcomings.

the coolest part is their orientation is 20 mins from my house, so the recuriter said it should be no big deal if I just drive everyday

You're only in orientation for a few days. You don't want to make a career choice based on that.

and while in training they have promised me I would be home every other weekend

Same thing as the last one - training only lasts a very short time in the grand scheme of things. You want to make good long-term decisions, not just pick a company based on a tiny, short-term convenience.

Also, they have a chaplain on call or standby in case you need it. Being a christian, I believe that is a wonderful idea, and wish other companies would think of doing that too.

As a Christian you already have plenty of people you can call on, and most major truck stops have a chapel service every Sunday. Don't think that the company has a chaplain because they run their company on Christian principles. They have to compete with every other company and they're going to do things the way other companies do them. Whether or not the company has their own chaplain is not going to have any affect on your life out there or your career.

Make sure you read through all of our articles about How To Choose A Truck Driving Job. You'll get a much better understanding of the criteria that's important and where to go to get the information you'll need. Right now you're looking at a lot of things that will have absolutely no impact on you or your career. It's critically important to know which criteria matters and where to go to get the right information.

Brett, I just started reading that series last night. I was half a sleep so I am going to restart them. I get what you are saying, I am just excited. So, update time. I have 16 companies on my list and prehires from six of them so far. Three others will bring me to orientation, they just won't do the prehire letter, unless I really need one. Which, with the ones that I have I am fine. I would list the companies, but not sure what the rules are. My biggest criteria is pay per mile, combine that with what you get for like tarp pay and bonuses and insurance and when it starts, deductibles etc. So, we will keep doing research and see what we can find out. I am almost finished with the research, I am going to start in on state tests for the General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, and all the endorsements. I want to go in there knowing it so I can feel confident when it comes time to test. I always get so nervous for tests, but if I go in knowing what I can, and I am sure I know the first few answers, I start to calm down and do well. Thanks for all the advice, I will keep the posts coming.

Yeah, just stick with that High Road Training Program and I absolutely guarantee you you'll fly through all of the CDL written exams, including the endorsements.

And the logbook section is priceless. They really don't teach logbook rules the way they should and a lot of people get out there and don't know how to utilize their time as efficiently as they should.

Everyone gets nervous for tests. And someone just reported a few minutes ago that they got their CDL and thought they were going to have a heart attack and a stroke during the testing!

Today was a good day. I think I may have found the company that I am leaning going to, if everything stays as planned. I just got to figure out if I want to run refers or dry vans, but everything is looking promising. I have applied to so many companies, some will commit to a pre-hire letter, some will not and I get that. All the recruiters have been really great, but that is their job too. I have learned so much about the industry and how things vary so much from company to company. It is hard to compare them if you just look at pay, benefits, hometime, etc, but still reading your series Brett. I met with the person trying to help get me funding, she is putting the application through and I should know something Monday. I have a job interview on Tuesday. Since I am unemployed and have bills, and don't start training till the 17th of June, I figure I can work full time till school starts, then weekends once in school, and maybe after school that way I can at least make sure my lights stay on. Also, still working on my diet for the physcial. I did want to ask anyone out there, I got my dot physical in April 2013. I was given a one year card. I have to take another one for school, and then another one for the company. I get they are testing for drugs and I have no problem taking a drug test all the time, but why so many physicals? What is the logic behind it? Thanks for your time.

I'm not sure what the law is regarding DOT physicals at the schools, but I know it's Federal law that anytime you change jobs you have to have a new DOT physical.

If you're unemployed, a lot of states will give you a grant through the WIA (Workforce Investment Act. We've had tons of students come through here and get their entire schooling paid for that way. You should look into it if you haven't already.

The WIA program is what I am doing. Lol. Great minds think alike. That worries me about not needing another physical. Still researching and putting in apps. I think I am close to 30. I am preparing info to share with my wife so she can give me her opinion. I know in the end it is my decision but her input is very valuable to me. Thanks for the help.

Hey, when you're applying for work, make sure you call the companies yourself a couple days after putting in the application. Trucking company recruiters are bogged down with work and often times applications will sit on a pile collecting dust. They love to see people take the initiative to call and find out about the status of their app. It will get it pushed to the top of the pile and they'll work on it.

Hey Brett,

Great minds think a like again. LOL. I have been doing that already. I am not the kind of person that is good at waiting. LOL. So, I have been calling them and getting all the pre-hires that I can.

On a side note. Great news....the funding for my school went through. I offically start school on June 17th. I am so excited for this opportunity. I am narrowing my choices more and more everyday. Can I mention names here and see what people think? I don't have a truck stop near me to go and ask drivers. I live near a big city.

Also, tomorrow I have a job interview at a local gas station so I can have money coming in while I am in school. I would work full time till then, then go to part time. Hope that all goes well, that or my unemployment goes through. Hope all is well thanks for the wonderful advice, it helps a lot and means a lot. Take care. God bless.

Hey that's great news about the funding! Awesome!

You're free to mention companies here and ask opinions. But I don't think it will do you any good. The two best sources of information about a company is their current drivers (unfortunately you don't have a truck stop nearby) and a company's recruiters.

Now you hear a lot of people talk about recruiters not being trustworthy, and that can be true. They are essentially salespeople after all and their job is to bring in as many drivers as possible. But what's really nice about speaking with recruiters from various companies is that they know the very best selling points for their company. They know what advantages their company offers over the others. So yes, they're salespeople so you have to be careful about confirming what they say in writing or with their drivers. But that's the beauty of it.

Your question to each of them will essentially be "Why should I work for your company when I have so many to choose from?" They will most certainly have solid answers for you. That will give you a way to compare the best features from each company you're considering. It will also give you some ideas about features that you hadn't even considered, and that can be a game changer.

So you can ask us what we think about various companies. But it's best to compare the quantifiable measures (mileage pay, average weekly mileage, benefits, home time, equipment, type of freight, etc), speak with some of their current drivers, and speak with their recruiters.

And make sure you read through all of our articles about How To Choose A Truck Driving Job. That's going to give you tons of information also.