Question:
Hi everybody. I'm recently started looking into becoming a driver and had been researching where to start. I thought maybe one of the local shools
first or a compnay with driver training. I applied to several companies so far(Stevens, Werner, Schneider) and have an interview(by phone?) with Schneider tommorrow. Reading the message boards, I asked the Recruiter if I would be driving cab overs or newer trucks. She told me new drivers get the cab overs for 6 months.
Can anyone give me the scoop on these trucks?
How does thier training compare to other companies? How about Roadmaster Driving School in
Jacksonville? Any info would really help...Thanx

Answer:
A couple of things to consider here. First, think about where you want to start driving and living in North Florida, you have only certain options. Some companies do not hire drivers out of Florida, but Northern Florida is better than South or even Central Florida. When you get a handle on companies you may want to work for, you can get an idea of where you want to go to school. Here are your choices:
1. You could go to a private school such as Roadmaster and either pay for it yourself at a steep cost ($3,000 to $6,000). Or you may go to work for a carrier who pays for this school, but you will have to sign a contract to work for them for at least one year. Quit or get fired before one year and you will owe them the cost of the school.
2. A local community college may offer CDL training courses that cost less than a private school, and may even be able to work out financial aid to help you with tuition. Just make sure the company you plan to go with hires students from the school you plan to attend.
3. Go to a company-sponsored school, get hired on as a student, and they will absorb the cost of training and when you finish, you immediately become a company driver. This situation usually requires the one-year commitment.
If you are currently unemployed, you may be able to get the State to pay for truck driving school. You would have to check with your unemployment office. This way, you do not commit to working with any particular company and do not have to pay anything out of your own pocket either.
Basically, these are your choices and you must consider who you will want to drive for and what your financial considerations are. I can tell you that there are few differences among large trucking companies that operate 48-states and hire inexperienced drivers. Best is if you go with a company that has a terminal within an hour or two of your home. You also need a carrier that will send you out with an over-the-road trainer for at least 4 weeks, but the longer the better.
Don't get too wrapped up in the type of equipment you will be operating. All you need is a safe truck that runs and gets you where you need to go. Later on, you can be more selective on the type of equipment you want. There is nothing wrong with cabovers. Maybe they don't look good, but they are better than they used to be, and are very easy to pivot and back up in a tight spot.

Answer:
you are golden. There are a few that'll say no, but you'll have far better luck than I have here in Miami.
The community college training route is the one to take. Generally longer courses, less money, and more driving than the three week wonders.
Schneiders training is very good from the people I know who have gone through it. Bad part about SNC is they have dropped the pay somewhat.
I believe that both Trans Am and Crete hire from JAX and both pay substantially more than SNC. I do know with Crete you need a MVR so clean it squeaks. Crete is parent company for Shaffer carriers(refrigerated).

Answer:
My top choices are www.Schneider.com, www.Roehl.Net, www.MillisTransfer.com and www.Werner.com. I went throught Schneider's training and it was very good and very fast paced.
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COE's, cab over engine design, tend to ride rough. To improve ride slightly, evenly distribute the weight between the trailer tandems and the drive tandems.
Number of holes to slide the trailer tandems = (trailer tandem weight - drive tandem weight) / 500.
My cabover had a Detroit series 60 engine and a ten speed trans just like a Freightliner. It was well maintained and ran nicely.
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For the record, I believe www.ArnoldTrans.com (Arnold Transportation) has their headquarters in Jacksonville Florida.

Answer:
I did the Schneider thing, and it was a great experience. Never had any grief from them, and was able to score a dedicated run right out of the box.
Yes, I had the dreaded cabover - loved it too. The ride was a little rougher than some conventionals, but it was liveable, and the maneuverability of it far outweighed the ride quality issue anyway.

Answer:
Thanks for the info. Arnold hires Experience drivers only. Spoke to the recruiter today He Said I could start early Sept. at Their Charlotte
Training Ctr. He ran down the training schedule for me. Seems fair.