Question:
If you sign on with a company like Werner, Schneider or Swift - do they lock you in for a certain duration with an employment contract? If so - does any one know what the duration might be?
thanx .... cat

Answer:
Employment is for the most part, "at will"---that is to say that either party can terminate the employment. Now, if you are talking about employment that a company trained you for and you signed a contract that you would be responsible for repayment for the training, then the contract becomes a legal document and you are responsible to repay the company for the amount specified on the contract. But termination of employment is either the employer's choice or your choice.
Just a grouchy old man.

Answer:
Does anyone know whether "training contracts" at Werner apply to post-cdl training, i.e. the two months spent with a trainer on the road, or only to cdl school?
I am a recent cdl school grad and God-willing I'll pass the cdl test soon. I've decided to drive for Werner. I just want to make sure that there are no surprises.
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Ignorance is bliss. But only for the ignorant.
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Answer:
Nocount - thanx for the input. It's just that I keep hearing about recent grads. (from private driving schools) that are looking to hook up with one of the big carriers so they can "get their experience" - and of course those carriers require you to attend their own training program of 4-8 weeks (a significant investment of resources on the carrier's part) - and you get paid while training - and then some of these grads. are planning to drive for 3-6 months and then bail out. Doesn't seem quite ethical and I was wondering if this is just standard practice in the trucking industry.
Thanx ... cat

Answer:
A person is only responsible where he puts his signature and the amount on the contract.
If you go to school and sign a contract for $4000, that is a legal debt and you are responsible. Unless you sign another contract with a trucking company for X amount of dollars, then you are not responsible for the training period.
Just keep in mind, that only the papers stating the amount of money with your signature on the papers, these are what you are responsible for and nothing else. No money can be collected by payroll deduction or by any other "legal" means unless you sign allowing the company to do so.
There are quite a few companies out there that have become "training grounds" for other trucking companies and rightly so. They have 90 to 100% turnover and seemingly that is the way they want it. So, young drivers go with these companies and gain a little experience and move on.
Just a grouchy old man.

Answer:
I went to school through CRST and it cost $1,000.00 and I quit within six months. I had to re-pay them $100.00 a month until it was paid off.
It was worth it to get the training and get out of there! Did like the lies or running team!
Peacekeeper
America's original homeland security.....
The 2nd Amendment...
Truck drivers are not considered professionals or skilled labor except when they are on the witness stand.
www.howtobuyamerican.com


Answer:
The Only reason you would have to sign a contract with a carrier & be obligated to them is...If the Carrier Paid for your School or if You paid for your Own school & you want the Carrier to Reimburse you for it.
As far as going out with a Trainer for 4-8wks...
Most ALL Newbies with No exp must do this.(at least that's how it is with the big, major carriers)
There are several reasons for going out with a trainer for 4-8 wks...
1)Insurance companies REQUIRE it.
2)To Further your Knowledge & Skills that you learned in school.(backing, map reading, trip planning, dealing with traffic,etc.)
3)To learn how That Particular carrier wants things done.(filling out trip sheets, logbooks, qualcomm, fueling procedures, etc.)
4)To learn about your particular field of trking.
If you pull a flatbed you'll need to know how to tarp & secure your load, how to handle a loaded flatbed around corners/curves, what each piece of equipment is used for & when to use it, etc.
If you pull a reefer, you'll need to know how to operate your equipment & learn what the codes mean...you'll learn that reefer fuel is rang up seperately from trk fuel, etc.(b/c it's NON-Taxable)
5)You'll learn how to "scale-out" your load & how to slide tandems to get weight legal.
6)You'll learn about KingPin formulas & Bridge Laws.
7)You'll learn which states require what permits.(and/or decals)
8)You'll learn which states require OverLength Permits if pulling a 53ft trlr.(when & where to purchase them.)
9)Which states require Haz-Mat Permits.(when & where to purchase them)
I could go on, but I think you get my msg.
The carrier & Insurance company want to make sure that you are Capable of handling 80,000lbs of equipment...not to mention the fact that they want to see if you are RESPONSIBLE enough to haul a few MILLION Dollars worth of freight SAFELY.
Think about it.....
How comfortable would YOU feel with a NEW drvr fresh out of school drving your $100,000 tractor/trlr...loaded with a MILLION Dollars worth of freight?(and the ONLY training that drvr received was in trk drving school)
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***Do Not Mistake.....Trk Drving School with On-the-Job Training.***

Answer:
Originally posted by coffeethecat:
If you sign on with a company like Werner, Schneider or Swift - do they lock you in for a certain duration with an employment contract? If so - does any one know what the duration might be?
thanx .... cat
Some of the companies I've talked to don't have a time limit. Instead, you sign a milage contract stating that you'll drive a minimum number of miles for them after you are cleared to Solo. Normally turns out to be about nine months or so (approx 75,000 - 85,000 miles).
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