My Story - Miller Motte Tech
Topic 9689 | Page 1
As I do not have the means to speak with drivers face to face, I would really like some honest feedback from drivers with these companies. Everything on the Internet is negative when it comes to these companies but Old School has given some solid info concerning Western Express, and as it is closer to my home in North Carolina, seems like a reasonable decision to go with them. However, I'd like more information pertaining to Paschall and Trans Am. Benefits? Miles? Consistency? Now I know that a majority of my job satisfaction will fall squarely on my shoulders. I am hard working, professional, good at being alone, and highly determined to succeed.
Welcome aboard!
Don't sweat that first company decision overly much. Go where you think you can find a fit for yourself and be willing to bust your tail and prove yourself to them during that first year. It literally takes that long to even begin to make a good start at this stuff. Once you've got your foot in the door of the industry, and stuck it out for a full year of safe driving somewhere you will find that most companies will look differently upon your criminal record. Your ability to conduct yourself in a professional and reliable manner consistently for that first year will do wonders at helping other companies be able to give you a more serious consideration.
Hello everyone:) I've been reading the forums and the blogs on this site for about a month now and am getting ready to begin classes at Miller-Motte's CDL program. I have quite a checkered past and did some dumb stuff when I was younger. I ended up in a federal pen and have been out for five years. I lost my mother while I was in and a lot changed outside that changed me inside. The day I got out I had a job as a manager at a restaurant locally and worked there for 4 years, however I was let go because of a one star review on Facebook and have been unemployed since last October. I got into a bad motorcycle wreck in January and my wife left me the month before. I was laid up for a while and started looking into driving a truck. With my past I thought it was impossible. But I found a way! There is a government program called the Workforce Investment Act just for people who have been laid off and without a job. Every state participates and is available to everyone who can qualify. Qualifications aren't stringent but you'll have to check for yourself. Any way, the program will pay for all of my schooling so long as I gain employment after school, so they make you get two prehire letters before hand. The companies that I got prehires from, considering my background and all, are Western Express, Paschall Trucking Inc., and Trans Am. As I do not have the means to speak with drivers face to face, I would really like some honest feedback from drivers with these companies. Everything on the Internet is negative when it comes to these companies but Old School has given some solid info concerning Western Express, and as it is closer to my home in North Carolina, seems like a reasonable decision to go with them. However, I'd like more information pertaining to Paschall and Trans Am. Benefits? Miles? Consistency? Now I know that a majority of my job satisfaction will fall squarely on my shoulders. I am hard working, professional, good at being alone, and highly determined to succeed. Any advice, information, ANYTHING would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this and God bless.
I was interested in Paschall also. Check this link for the info you seek :)
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.
Prehire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Prehires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Thank you both:) I'm not jaded about how it's really gonna be. I don't expect to make 50 cents a mile with home time every week. If I can handle a burning hot kitchen for 10 hours at a time on my feet then this will be no different. Well, maybe a little;) What I'm saying is adverse working conditions bother me little. I'm thinking about the big picture, long term. There is very little room for growth in the food service industry, unless you own the place. No matter how hard you work, how fast you move, you stay in the same place. I truly think the open road is my calling, I've just ignored it for so long and got side tracked along the way. The potential for a long steady career all based upon my performance is perfect for me. I've got drive and heart, I just need the know how. Old School, I believe after reading more about the demands and challenges of Flatbedding I'm gonna try to shoot for that. I love a good challenge! I know it's a little early for decisions, but I like to have a game plan ahead of schedule. And thank you Ds. I'll check that out. Ever since I received my letter from Paschall, my recruiter has called me once or twice a week to make sure that I'm still on track and is looking forward to having me out at Murray. I do appreciate the follow ups from her, but I'm no sucker. I know they probably get a commission off of making sure they get as many recruits as they can, but it's the thought that counts:) Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy:p
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Patrick, I know the restaurant business can be brutal!
You are probably better prepared for a new career in truck driving mentally than most folks who think they will give it a try.
Best of luck to ya!
If you like the idea of flat-bed, then go for it right from the start.
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Hello everyone:) I've been reading the forums and the blogs on this site for about a month now and am getting ready to begin classes at Miller-Motte's CDL program.
I have quite a checkered past and did some dumb stuff when I was younger. I ended up in a federal pen and have been out for five years. I lost my mother while I was in and a lot changed outside that changed me inside. The day I got out I had a job as a manager at a restaurant locally and worked there for 4 years, however I was let go because of a one star review on Facebook and have been unemployed since last October. I got into a bad motorcycle wreck in January and my wife left me the month before. I was laid up for a while and started looking into driving a truck.
With my past I thought it was impossible. But I found a way! There is a government program called the Workforce Investment Act just for people who have been laid off and without a job. Every state participates and is available to everyone who can qualify. Qualifications aren't stringent but you'll have to check for yourself. Any way, the program will pay for all of my schooling so long as I gain employment after school, so they make you get two prehire letters before hand. The companies that I got prehires from, considering my background and all, are Western Express, Paschall Trucking Inc., and Trans Am.
As I do not have the means to speak with drivers face to face, I would really like some honest feedback from drivers with these companies. Everything on the Internet is negative when it comes to these companies but Old School has given some solid info concerning Western Express, and as it is closer to my home in North Carolina, seems like a reasonable decision to go with them. However, I'd like more information pertaining to Paschall and Trans Am. Benefits? Miles? Consistency? Now I know that a majority of my job satisfaction will fall squarely on my shoulders. I am hard working, professional, good at being alone, and highly determined to succeed. Any advice, information, ANYTHING would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this and God bless.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Prehire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Prehires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.