Question:
I've posted here before and have gotten some good advice.
Mabe I am not close enough to being employable for a carrier to talk to me but here goes.
I plan to start school in 2 - 4 months, depending on what school I go to. If I go to a company sponsered school, I would like to go to Millis Transfer or Roehl. But I don't know if they have frieght lanes through here. (Va. Beach).
Therefore commiting to them may not work out. I have emailed the recruiters bt got no answer. I know a few months sounds like a long time away to plan this, but Id like to have it all in place and know what I need to do.
Anyone have any Ideas or think I need to wait till Im closer to my available date?
Any advice is welcome.
Thanks
Ike

Answer:
Just currious thats all. Is there a Truck Stop near you? Do you see either of those companies trucks in your area ever? Thats a quick way to figure out how much hometime you will get. Both those carriers are, in my mind, stand up companies. Both, however are based in Wisconsin. I am not sure about millis' HQ but I know they have an office or a terminal in Eau Claire WI, I drove by it. Its real close to the DMV office there. Roehl is in Marshfield WI.
Goto thier respective websites and they will have an 800 number to call there. You mat get better info that way and certianly a quicker response
TJ--if I can help you another way, let me know

Answer:
Well Ive done a lot of research on a lot of companies, internet, listening to you folks, talking to some drivers I run into and aside from Crete (which seems like a great company also)they are the only 2 that seem to have a good training program and starting wage. Millis seems to have a great benifit package.
Orignally I wasn't interested in a company sponsored school, but found out recently my T/A (Tuition Assistance) is only covering 3K. The school I was lookin into is 4500.00. which means I need to have a check in hand for $950.00 on the first day. (thats a big chunk of change).
I have not seen a lot of any major carrier around here. at least none of the ones I already mentioned, Ive seen a few Cressler and Millis trucks up toward Williamsburg (40-45 mis).
Another co. I am really interested in is TMC but I don't think they have a school, they do have a training program, but I think thats for recent grads. Anyway, Thanks for the response AsphaltHauler.
IKE


Answer:
you are right, TMC training is for recent school grads, at least thats what I have heard too. If I was you I would still call to confirm that. $4500 sounds like alot of dough hey. Are they PTDI Certified? what about other schools in your area? Have you thought about Werner? Lots of people talk trash about them, but everything I have seen says great miles, decent equiptment, and freight going everywhere. There are people that like Werner too, but with all the werner bashing that goes on, I dont know if I'd say anything either. I do know some things about werner though because I looked into their local deal here and I can tell you this. They have a great bonus program with attainable goals. For example, the millage bonus, the MPG varys every month, in the winter its less, in the summer its more. The bonus level for that ranges from .5 to 2.5 CPM. I dont know what you think but to me thats alot.
Do me a favor and be openminded in your search, and dont base your decision on just what the drivers here are saying, do it because its right for you
TJ

Answer:
I'm retiring military and qualify for the Workforce investment act (WIA)which will pay for my school as I'm transitioning to a new career. You start the program through your state labor/employment/career center. This program is designed for displaced workers and depending on you situation and prior income you may qualify. If you need more help email me at "prodrvr03@yahoo.com" Hope this helps, oh and planning 2-4 months in advance is not too long (me-nearly two years lurking web sites rsearching companies sites and talking to truckers)better to start early and research then rush and be wrong, also some companies offer training such as Werner, Swift, and Schneider as well as the ones you mentioned. I have a tenative date for 5-feb 03 but won't go full time trucking until june 03 when I move back east, after retiring full time from air force, good luck Dan

Answer:
ike910 you probably won't get any response from a recruiter until you are almost ready to start. They usually are to busy dealing with new recruits.
Your off 64 and not far from 95. You in a good area for most companies. Alot of trucks running 95 north and south. Being a hundred miles from a major route usually won't hinder your employment opportunities.
As said above get the 800 number and make some calls. They should at least answer basic questions. Those companies you mentioned are good ones. BOL
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Thanks for the advice guys,
I looked at Werner, but the starting pay was .24. I know I shouldn't be to picky but most other companies I looked at were at .26-.30(Millis).
Big Dan, that Program your talkin about sounds interesting. I might be interested in that, I will be e-mailing you to get the info.
No the school I was going to attend is not PTDI certified. one of the reasons I was considering it was its local and I was going to try and go to school before I went on Terminal leave from the Navy. that way I could start my training with a company and get by on training pay while still collecting my full Military paycheck.
Stuffiu, I kinda thought that was the case with the recruiters but I was just trying to get a head start. Thanks. I didn't know that about being within 100 mis of a major traffic lane would be acceptable, thanks for the heads up.
Thanks again Asphalt hauler, Big Dan and Stuffiu for the advice, anymore is welcome.
Ike


Answer:
Another thing to look at when talking about pay is does your CMP include any bonuses? you say .26 per to start, and thats great, but I have a few questions for you.
How often are you going to get increases with those 2 fabulous carriers of wich you speak? Once again I know the Werner system because it was explained to me. I have also checked out other carriers, dont remember what ones specificly, and raises dont come as often. Some not for a year or more, whereas with Werner its 3mos, 6mos, 9mos and a year to start with I belive.
I must state I am not a recruiter for Werner, nor am I affiliated with them in any way, shape or form.
I am just trying to give you food for thought when selecting a company, and Werner still sticks in my head
TJ----god I gotta shut up about werner

Answer:
A bit of friendly advice, GO TO A SCHOOL THAT IS PTDI CERTIFIED. I have talked to recruiter from many different companies and they all ask if the school i graduated from was PTDI CERTIFIED. Alot of companies don't seem to like to deal with students that attended non PTDI schools. My suggestion to you would be to call the companies you are interested in and ask what type of schools they hire from. IKE910 as i was told in school it never hurts to ask questions, so ask away. GOOD LUCK Jimmijam

Answer:
For example, the millage bonus, the MPG varys every month, in the winter its less, in the summer its more. The bonus level for that ranges from .5 to 2.5 CPM. I dont know what you think but to me thats alot.
I believe bonuses of this type are either unattainable or not worth the effort. They are always to the company advantage not the drivers.
Are you willing to go without heat or cooling to obtain them? You will find that some recruitment claims are mostly outright lies in most cases.
Don't believe it? Look at turnover rates. I'm not criticising Werner but recruitment claims in general.
Mike
Answer:
makes sense mike

Answer:
Asphalthauler,
Your right, theres always hidden benefits. I haven't ruled Werner out, but Millis starts out at .30, however, im told they only hire out of there school (newbies). so they maybe out of the question unless I attend there school.
JimmiJam, I know the PTDI certification is good to have. but Ive also been told as long as its at least a 6 week course and you do well that wont matter much. Im not saying thats true. But I do know there are schools out there that are not PTDI certified but meet the same criteria (hours of instruction, hours actually driving) that Certified schools do.
Im told the reason for this is that the school actually has to request to be evaluated by PTDI and it costs money. some just choose not to.
More good advice, Thank you JimmiJam and Asphalthauler.
Ike

Answer:
Rabelam,
If theres 1 thing I have learned from reading these threads it is that recruiters lie. They have a qouta to fill. you just have to be smart enough to read between the lines. thats why people like me and a few other wannabes are doing the research and asking the pros. However, the problem remains, when it comes down to it its the recruiter and the applicant. Just hope we make the right choice.
Thanks for the advice Rabelam.
Ike