Question:
Hello all, I'm new to this forum and kinda new to truck driving.My name is Colleen and I live in Northern Nevada. My friend is a trucker and works for Colonial and he seems to like it allot. I'm looking for a good school to go to not one with a company like swift I've heard horror stories about them and women who work for them. I've learned allot already from my friend and just lurking here. I was wondering what are some good companys to start out with that take the time to train you right not like crappy swift or CRE. Does any other company offer school like swift does?
Answer:
Welcome to the forum. Do a search on the topic. "Trucking companies", "Swift", "CFI", etc.Ivey EnviroTech Services
Start Up date: 3/1/06

Answer:
Welcome Colleen.
Like he said, do some research here on rucknet. You can also get a lot from Google - many different ways to educate yourself, and that's what you ned to do. There are many different options, and just as many folks who believe one or the other is the best way to go. No "correct" answer, I'm afraid. I also wouldn't count Swift out, without checking them out first. They're a very successful company that's trained a lot of the industry, including some who post here. Not saying it's a good choice for you - but keep an open mind.
I'd look for OTR companies in your area that take-on new drivers fresh out of truck school. These are the same companies that MAY offer their own truck school/training combination.
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Answer:
Well your learning COLLEEN, Most definitly STAY AWAY FROM SWIFT. I COULD GO ON FOR A HOUR ABOUT THE WOMEN THAT WORK AND DRIVE FOR SWIFT. BETTER YOURSELF FROM THAT. AND LEARN
AND INQUIRE HERE. ALSO PAY COMMENTS BY RABELMAN NO MIND. GOOD LUCKDONNY SCHNEIDER TOLD ME THAT.

Answer:
Well most companies are all in the same but there are a few that are a little better than others. RNB mentioned Knight but they require 4 mos OTR and they aren't that great trust me. A few that are good places to start and get your experience in at are, US Xpress, Schneider National, Gordon Trucking Inc, Southern Refrigerated Transport, Smithway Motor Xpress, TMC, Watkins Shepard, and of course if you are brave, desperate, or nuts you can try CR England, FFE, Werner, CRST, Stevens, Covenant, Swift, May, WSE, Arrow, National Distributors, MCT, etc BOL .
Answer:
There are basically two ways to get your CDL(commercial drivers license) and get hired. Either go to a company school and work for a period of time usually one year or pay for your own schooling. Companies want some proof that you are qualified to drive such as a diploma from a reputable school before they let you drive their expensive equipment. It's an insurance thing.
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For company schools try www.classadrivers.com and click on company listing and look for companies that train. There are other places to look such as www.everytruckjob.com and www.truckjobseeker.com among others.
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If you go to school on your own try www.careeronestop.com/wiaprovidersearch.asp You may qualify for WIA, workforce investment act , funding. This is a government grant program. It is not a loan; you do not repay the money. Ask for details at your local unemployment office. It is for people who are unemployed or under employed to get a better job. The worst they can do is say "No" to you.
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Do plenty of research on schools and ask the companies that you are interested in whether they hire from that particular school. Good luck.

Answer:
I'm not familiar with your area but some of the best schools I have seen were run by community colleges . Believe me , if you can afford it you're much better off paying for a school than selling your soul to one of these companies . Some of these companys recommended don't have that great of a safety record . I checked Schneider , Knight , US Xressways and others at safersys.org and they average showing 10% of their fleet having repotable accidents . A reportable accident is one where there is an injury requiring transport or a vehicle is towed . Have you considered expediting ?They require less experience and run a lot of straight trucks . Check out expeditorsonline.com . Go to the Newbies Paradise Forum and read the adventures of bambam . She's a favorite there - just started this week .

Answer:
thanks everyone I will most likely go with the big pumpkin from everything i read they have one of the best training programs around and they are really big on safety. Plus my friend who works for colonial didnt have anything bad to say about them. What does Per Diem mean? I've seen that word be tossed around allot on some trucker boards. Well thanks again
Colleen
Answer:
Per diem is expense money . Some carriers pay it seperate because it will not be taxed . A couple of problems with that . Untaxable income doesn't get credited toward your social security and reduces the amount of yearly income on your W-2 . This could prevent you from getting as much credit towards buying a house for example . If your carrier doesn't pay per diem you get to deduct a meal allowance for every night you spend away from home . Other posts on tax forums explain this better . Schneider is not as safety minded as you think . I pulled these figures up from safersys.org . The numbers are number of trucks/fatalities/ accidents . Schneider 12,268/48/1157 . Compare that with UPS Freight 6916/12/415 and Yellow 8506/28/583 . You should know what Schneider's attitude for drivers' pay is . These are direct quotes from the Schneider CEO appearing before a House Transportation Committee "Driverpay is our number 1 cost .It hasn't changed in real terms since 1980-it's actually less ." But that is too much in his opinion. Here's his solution ."We know there is a significant population of potential immigrants with truck driving experience . Existing immigration laws have allowed us to successfully recruit a limited number . To do more the laws must recognize truck driving as a critical skill " These remarks drew the following resonse from Representative Peter Defazio from Oregon "Truck drivers used to be middle class . And if you want to put them in the poverty class then you are moving in the right direction " I don't know about you but I have too much self respect to work for someone that begrudges drivers pay and wants to put truck drivers in the same category as produce pickers and chicken plant workers . The best driving schools I have seen are run by community colleges . They are not that expensive . Paying for you training is better than selling your soul to these carriers . Unfortunately the real good carriers won't hire anyone with less than a year's experience . You have to start somewhere . Good luck .