Question:
I just called Millis recruiting again to ask about school dates and they said I was not in thier hiring area. That really takes the wind of my sails. Now I have to find a decent company that trains and hires out of Virginia Beach.
I had to vent.


Answer:
Thats something I dont understand. They will never get you home anyways so what difference does it make. Last time I checked Millis hired east of the missisippi. Theres plenty of other companies that are out there though, some better, some worse.

Answer:
Just called TMC, Same deal. looks like to get in with a decent company Im going to have to move to Cleveland. I refuse to apply to Swift, CRE, Prime or Covenant due becoming another statistic, and I know theres better opportunities out there. it stinks that a major carrier that covers 48 states has a hiring area criteria. (Im still Venting)
Ike


Answer:
I live on eastern Long Island most companies do not even want to talk to you if you live near NYC or LI. Most of the hiring areas are in the south and the midwest. If you give me a stae I wiil check the leads i had. You can always go Pumpkin head.

Answer:
That does suck. have you tried Crete, CFI, Schaeffer, Sunflower or Old Dominion? I also read an add for USFGlenmore. Don't know if they hire newbies.
I hear you about moving. I would do that also if those were my only choices. It is to bad, I wouldn't have thought where you live would be out of the way. Actually where I live has the same kinds of problems.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Hey Stuffiu or anybody with info,
Hi, I'm on leave in my hometown Lafayette, LA right off I-10 and see Werner trucks at Dollar General stores often. Are these drivers on dedicated accounts? Based on your knowledge, do you know if dedicated or regional runs pay better @ Werner? I wouldn't mind the unloading of a trailer if had I to, look like that's part of being on a dedicated account.

Answer:
Theres no doubt in my mind I could hook up with Werner, Im in Va. Beach, Virginia. I was hoping to get started with a decent company (not saying Werner isnt) but I was lookin at .30 starting with Millis. Most others start at .24, minus the training re-imbursement. If I had a garunteed job, Id relocate, already talked to the wife about it, she said whatever I need to do, her and the kids would be willing to do. But I don't want to uproot them unless its going to be benificial.
I recently found out my Military benifits arn't what they seem, in other words I need to have 1000.00 -1500.00 out of pocket to get a good school, thats why I was lookin at a Co. sponsored school. Im still listenin guys and gals, anyone know of a co. sponsored school other than the ones already mentioned. (not interested in Swift, CRE, Covenant or USXPRESS.
Thanks.
Ike

Answer:
Hey ike910,
Millis and Roehl would be a lot of newbies 1st choices but their hiring areas are particular, which eliminates a lot of people. In other words, you may have to bite the bullet for a yr or so and get that yr experience under your belt with one of the "Big Dogs". i.e, Werner, Schneider, Swift, or Xpress. You should know the deal, you dealt with it in the military. Look at it this way, after approximately 3 months of cdl and trainer, you will have 9 more months before 1 yr.
As of now Werner and Schneider are my favorites, both offer dedicated accounts in my area.
Just my opinion.

Answer:
Hey Ike,
You might try checking out Star Transportation out of Nashville, TN.
http://www.startransportation.com/employment.htm
They hire students from a school around Bristol, TN. The school is CCS. You might consider taking a student loan to pay for school and then work with a company you like for the reimbursement.
A recent post mentioned something about military training for a CDL. Might be worth a search on TN.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.


Answer:
Sail and Johnny,
Thanks Ill check it out. I may have to deal with it, at least it wouldn't be for lack of trying. I think Werner may be the lesser of the Evils.
Ike

Answer:
Give Roehl a try. They have drivers all over the USA including NYC. They also just started a New England regional board. I run VA a lot for them. They also have a in-house school in Gary IN and Marshfield.WI. I don't know if they are on this board, but they are on layover.com if that helps. If you apply online, follow it up with a phone call, sometimes their server dumps the apps. (happened to me)
Good luck and Happy Holidays.Just remember:If the world did'nt suck, you'd fall off!
The more I see and read about Republicans and Democrats, the more I wish we had an Independent Party.
IMPEACH BUSH!!!!!!!!!!

Answer:
You can look into Shippers Choice. They have a CDL program at Thomas Nelson Community College, in Hampton, VA. The guys name is O'Brian. They got a class starting in February. Tuition assistance will cover 100% of the tuition. The class wil be given on Fort Eustis. I enrolled for the class for December 7th, but my unit got shaky on me and I had to pull out. I know you are military. So this might be something to look into. I read in the past that you wanted to drive flatbed, and they deal with a Flatbed company called McElroy Trucking. I hope this can be of some assistance. MERRY CHRISTMAS

Answer:
Razz, I talked to Roehl yesterday, The girl said they would hire only expierienced flatbed drivers from here, Thanks for the lead though.
Coleman, You are correct about Shippers Choice. But the Navy, unlike the Army doesnt pay 100% yet. they used to pay 75% of the whole class. now (in order to say they pay 100%) they pay 100% of 12 credit hours per year. most of the 6-8 week courses are 18 credit hours, so you still end up paying close to 1000.00 or more. I know a lot of people that pay more, but you would think that your "Benefits" would be better. The way im lookin at it If I have to pay 1000.00 im going to get the best I can, Im lookin at a couple schools in Ohio. PIA, and Big Rig truck driving school. both seem to have a great cirriculum and both are PTDI certified. Plus they are within commuting distance to relatives. I have had to change plans and wait till I go on Terminal leave to go to school now also. Thanks for the advice and letting me "Vent". to everyone. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Ike

Answer:
Yeah it can suck somewhat if the company you are intersted in working for does not hire in your area, but you have to look at the reality of the situation. Even though a company may "run" all 48 that does not mean they have enough freight going into or out of certain areas to be able to get a driver home in a reasonable amount of time or to be able to get a driver loaded and moving after hometime without hundreds of miles of deadhead to make it financially feasable for them to hire from that area.
I have a name not a number. I am not cheap but I am resonable.
Answer:
Hey Ike,
Merry Christmas to you and yours. Keep your ears open, you might find some other options as time goes on. I went to a private PTDI school several years ago and then hired on with Werner. I was treated well and they were paying off my student loan.
Unfortunately, I had a lot of help at home spending more money than we were making so I had to take another job for a while. I have resolved that problem now and will be back on the road in a few months.
The whole point of this is to say contact Werner and see what schools they hire out of in your area. Their training and loan payback program might give you some more options to consider. Heck, you might end up with Shuffler as a trainer. Check out some of his posts about the company.
Keep us posted and vent anytime you want.