Question:
Hey, Timberwolf
I would like to know how to get in touch with your company and learn about the training program.
Sounds great, wish you the best of luck!
Will you be driving doubles?
I think it's exciting to here the positive sides of the industry.
Take care and God Bless.
EsterJ

Answer:
Hey, Timberwolf
I would like to know how to get in touch with your company and learn about the training program.
Sounds great, wish you the best of luck!
Will you be driving doubles?
I think it's exciting to here the positive sides of the industry.
Hmmmm....I found it interesting that their website makes no mention of a training program
provided by them. Could it be a new program
enlisted by them and brought to us by a company representative on this forum? Excuse me for being sceptical but from Timberwolves posts,he either gave false information or was recruiting for
Old Dominion. Anyway here's their addy ......
http://www.odfl.com/
Be sure to let us know what you find out concerning a training program for those without a current CDL.
Where is TW maybe he could straighten all this out?
Mike
Answer:
RABELAM: Thanks for the post --- you seem to be extremely knowledgable about this business and I'm learning more and more from your postings!
http://tinyurl.com/1w6f

Answer:
RABELAM: Thanks for the post --- you seem to be extremely knowledgable about this business and I'm learning more and more from your postings!
Thanks for the compliment but truthfully I'm
not. There are those here that have way more current knowledge than I do. I hope I'm adding some educational comments to the site occasionally
anyway.
Mike
Answer:
Originally posted by RABELAM:
Thanks for the compliment but truthfully I'm
not. There are those here that have way more current knowledge than I do. I hope I'm adding some educational comments to the site occasionally
anyway. Mike
Okay, but after seeing you were retired with 30+ years of driving, I was just assuming that you knew alot about the industry ... sorry if I misunderstood.
http://tinyurl.com/1w6f

Answer:
Okay, but after seeing you were retired with 30+ years of driving, I was just assuming that you knew alot about the industry ... sorry if I misunderstood.
Hehehe...The most important thing I learned during
those 30+ is don't assume any driver actually knows anything about what they're saying.
Mike
Answer:
Amen brother you speak the truth!!!!
aman
Answer:
LOL ... I'll take that under advisement!!!
http://jobshopper.fateback.com

Answer:
I found it, you have to read between the lines, read carefully.
Minimum 22 - Line-haul (Road) or; 21 and graduate of acceptable Truck Driver Training School
Minimum 22 - City or; 21 and graduate of acceptable Truck Driver Training School
a) A minimum of (12) months verifiable experience in tractor/semi-trailer/twin-trailer operation or;
b) Has successfully completed a certified, and Safety Department approved Truck Driver Training School (copy of Graduation Certificate and class standing is required)
Notice it says, 12 months (OR) school training.
I think Roadyway or Yellow does the same thing.
Roadway did have an Afirmitive Action Program for Trucking school grads, I don't know if they still do. You can check their web site.

Answer:
OLD DOMINION
I found it, you have to read between the lines, read carefully.
This whole thing started in another post by Timberwolf saying he was going to be trained
at ODs school.
Anyway for info on Union carrier qualifications
and jobs this might be handy....
http://www.teamster.org/jobbank.htm
Mike
Answer:
Well, just to let you all know, I have finished the training program. I got my CDL a week ago Thursday, and got certified with the company this past Tuesday. Would have gotten certified sooner, but the Safety Director was on vacation and he is the one that does the certification.
I had to wait for the company to approve all the necessary paperwork and that approval came back Friday. The Line Haul Manager called me and told me that she has a couple of prospects for me to go out with team driving. I told her to set me up with which ever one she felt would be best for me. She gave me the name of one of them, who will be coming in over the weekend, and will be going back out Tuesday or Wednesday. She told me that he has a dedicated run to California and back. This is more than I could have hoped for. With a dedicated run I will be on something of a set schedule, PLUS I will be getting the big miles I had been hoping for.
So, as it stands now, I will be going out on my first run this Tuesday or Wednesday, but of course anything could happen to change that between now and then. Here is hoping that things will continue to go as well as they have so far. I will continue to post updates as I can. Everyone wish me luck.
For those of you that want to look into Old Dominion's training program, (when I told the Safety Director that I had posted here about my experiences with the school, he made a point to tell me that they are not listed as a "school" but are a training program.), I suggest checking their website www.odfl.com and try to find an 800 number to call to get information. I would post one if I had it, but luckily, I live only a few miles from the local terminal, so I have only used their local number, which would be long distance for anyone not living here. If you can't find an 800 number listed on their site, maybe you can afford to make one long distance call to any of their terminals and ask for their 800 number.
The way I got in to the training program was pretty straightforward. I just went to the terminal and asked for an application, telling them that I was interested in the program. I had to fill out a non-driver application for work, and it all took off from there. Good luck to any and all. Tim aka Timberwulf
If you are not a liberal by the age of 16 you are not using your heart. If you are not a conservative by the age of 26 you are not using your brain.

Answer:
Just so you all know, I am not a recruiter. I am a newbie just like many others who come here to share their experiences or to ask questions. Nor am I posting false information as someone suggested in a previous post. Everything I have posted has been based completly on my personal experiences with the Old Dominion training program, and my future posts will be on my experiences as I finally begin driving.
As stated in my previous post, I will hopefully finally start driving this coming tuesday or wednesday when they hook me up with another driver. Oh yeah, I will be driving doubles. I have heard several people say that they would not like to pull doubles, but having pulled doubles, and 48 ft singles, I find myself more comfortable with the double pups. That may not be the case with everyone, but it is for me.
Once again, good luck to everyone, and I hope you all wish me the same as I embark on this new career.
If you are not a liberal by the age of 16 you are not using your heart. If you are not a conservative by the age of 26 you are not using your brain.

Answer:
Just to clarify
Just so you all know, I am not a recruiter. I am a newbie just like many others who come here to share their experiences or to ask questions. Nor am I posting false information as someone suggested in a previous post. Everything I have posted has been based completly on my personal experiences with the Old Dominion training program, and my future posts will be on my experiences as I finally begin driving.
Let's see if we can straighten this out. You
went to a school and received a CDL,you then applied to OD for a job,OD hired you and you are now going to go through an orientation period to
learn their system of operation.Is this correct?
OD did not actually teach you how to drive,you went to a school. What you are going to be doing now is not a training period,it's an orientation
and trial employment period. I garanty your co
driver will not be training you,he will be in the bunk while you're driving. The TN. to CA. run sounds like you'll be making decent miles.
I always prefered pups myself,they make for a better ride. From what I understand any terminal time is unpaid for the first 3 or 4hrs. then you go on the clock which is better than the average OTR T/L jobs. Anyway keep us posted and I hope we have this training thing figured out.BOL
Mike
Answer:
Let me see if I can clarify my timetable and such for you and everyone else. Somehow I have apparently not posted in a manner which has been clear enough.This is going to get a bit wordy, so bear with me, please.
I never went to another school. I had never been in the cab of a truck before starting OD's training program. I learned of Old Dominion's training program through a friend who drives for them. I had already been considering truck driving, but did not feel that I had the money necessary to pay for a school. I was working at Wal-Mart for $7.53 per hour. No extra money for anything and I could definately not afford to just quit work for a few weeks without any income to go to a truck driving school.When my friend let me know that Old Dominion did not require any payment up front, AND would write off the cost once you have spent one year driving with them, AND would pay me $8.25 per hour during my training time, I felt this would be a fair deal and would allow me to get the training I would otherwise be unable to afford. At this point I went to OD along with another friend who was also interested to get more info about the program. They verified that the offer was the same as my friend had told me, so we both applied.
At this point the friend who applied with me was accepted right off the bat, however I had some problems in providing written record of a couple of time frames concerning my work history that OD was concerned about. OD requires precise verification of work history for 5 years prior to application. The first problem was with a 2 1/2 year period in which I owned and operated a night club in a nearby county. I had paperwork which showed that I did own this club, during the time I had listed on my application, but I had nothing on paper showing the exact date I shut the club down. My tax records would have worked, but I had not used that accountant in the years since and when I went looking, found that he had passed away and my tax records which were in his possession could not be found. I was having a heck of a time finding anything which would verify this period of self employment, running back and forth between that county's court house, getting copies of my business license and such, but still nothing that could verify the date I closed the business. OD was very patient and helpful, making suggestions on what records might work, but I was still having trouble providing. Finally they suggested that I go to the man from whom I had leased the building which housed my club and get him to sign a statement verifying that I had leased the building from him through the dates I had indicated and had operated as a business until the date I had listed on my application to OD. I did this and got past the first hurdle.
The second period they were concerned about was a one year gap in employment after I left the club. My older brother was going through some serious health problems related to diabetes which left him unable to drive or even barely walk. He came very close to losing his legs during this time.I was forced to drive him to all of his doctors appointments and therapies during this time, sometimes as many as 6 or 7 time a week, many time out of town all day. These appointments were absolutely necessary for him to regain his health and also save his legs. It was a difficult period for me because it was hard to find work that would allow me to be there to provide the transportation and time that my brother's health required. I finally found work at Wal-Mart, working third shift which allowed me to be free during the day as my brother needed. However, I was still left with a one year gap which showed me as unemployed. Old Dominion was of course concerned with this. For all they knew I was just laying around being a bum during this time. They suggested that I get family members and friends write letters verifying that I was indeed taking care of my brother's needs during this time. They also suggested that I find record of my brother's medical appointments. I was able to do both, and OD was satisfied that I was out of work during that period for good reason. Finally I was accepted into the training program. I only include all the details above to show that even though I had some serious problems that could have kept me out of the program, the people in the local office really worked hard with me to help me find suitable verification that would allow me in. They did not have to do this, I was just one of many applicants, but they saw my desire to be accepted and appreciated my willingness to do whatever it took to get them the information they needed. I really appreciated their patience and support.
Ok. Now at this point,I am in the program, but not with my friend who applied with me. He was actually entered into a class during the time I was hunting work info. He was now a month ahead of me. We had hoped to go through the class together, but this way, I got a heads up from him as to everything I could expect to do myself once my class started. I quit Wal-Mart two days before my yard work began.
Yard work lasted for one week, in which we went to the original OD terminal which is about half a mile from the new terminal. During the yard time, we were instructed in the basics of driving. Shifting, double-clutching, various backing scenarios, hooking and unhooking trailers, singles and doubles,pre-trip inspection etc. The instructors were very knowledgeable and I learned a LOT in a short period of time. Because they only accept 8 to 10 students per class, and they spread them out over a month for yard work, I and one other student were there for a week alone with two instructors. This allowed for some real one-on-one time with the instructors instead of having a whole bunch of students at once. This time is not paid for by OD. The pay begins once you start the actual classroom.
Classroom. One week, 8 to 5 or so, during which you are taught various things such as legal load weights, safety procedures, filling out log books, etc. Lots of videos, but still lots of personal instruction as well. By the time the classroom is finished you are ready to take your written CDL test and get your permit.
After you have your permit, you begin your real training. I was paired with a driver trainer to do local runs for one week. A total of five trips are required for this phase. I was sent with this driver to the Knoxville area, Clinton in particular. Lots of city driving and if you know Knoxville, lots of time going through construction areas, heavy traffic and such. Pulled 48 foot trailers every day. You are making actual deliveries, with lots of backing up to real world docks. I have to admit that I am not too fond of city driving, but got through it ok.
The next phase is what they call "bag runs". These are over night trips. Once again, five trips are required. Takes a total of two weeks. My driver trainer had a dedicated run to Eighty-Four Pa. This is just outside Pittsburg. Home of the Eighty-Four lumber company. I loved these runs. Pulled doubles every trip. Got to do a lot of mountain driving in West Virginia. I did all the driving both to and from PA for the last four runs. Also got my first taste of driving in pouring rain. I have to admit I did a lot of white knuckling the steering wheel, but was getting over the nervousness a bit by the time I got my bag runs done. These runs convinced me that I was going to enjoy truck driving.
After completing the bag runs. I was scheduled to take my CDL driving test. This is done here with an outside examiner. I was very nervous and totally blew my first test. Had to go back for two days of extra local runs. Had my CDL test scheduled again and passed. Had to wait a few days for the safety director to get back from vacation to get my certification with him. He got back, I got certified, and then had to wait for all the paperwork to be approved on the corporate level. This took three days. I was approved last friday. I will now be paired up with a team driver for a three month period before I will be considered an experienced driver. Once experienced, I will be allowed to team up with anyone I choose. Sadly, my friend who was going to be my parter, as per our original plan, decided driving was not for him and has quit. He passed the class, got his CDL, got certified, and THEN decided he did not want to drive. Go figure.
Right now, the Line Haul Manager has me scheduled to join a guy who has a dedicated run to California. I am supposed to call monday to find out exactly when I am leaving, but it will probably be tuesday or wednesday. They told me to be ready to go out anywhere from 6 to 10 days. I am a bit nervous, but also anxious to get started. I am really ready to start making some money. I am hoping that my experience with this company continues to be as positive as it has been to this point.
I hope this clears up any and all questions about how the program works. I know that it might be a bit hard to follow, but I have tried to put down the majority of pertinant points that might be helpful.
Tim aka Timberwulf
If you are not a liberal by the age of 16 you are not using your heart. If you are not a conservative by the age of 26 you are not using your brain.

Answer:
That sure was long but it cleared everything up.
The program sounds like an excellent way to become a driver. Actual experience in a truck
surpasses classroom training anyday. You have found a way to enter,in manner that surpasses any T/L OTR program in my opinion. I think with this program OD will gain an experienced,well trained employee. You have also shown that you can find a way to enter driving without going to the average
TL carrier CDL mill. Good luck and success,keep us
posted.
Mike