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Post by truckertom on Nov 27, 2003 15:18:10 GMT -5
N.C. See if you can find a community college there. We had a school pretty close to you but our owner just got sick and tired of the instructors not doing their jobs, so he shut it down! He said all the students were failing their driving tests over and over again.
I have gained quite a bit of respect for him over this.....most owners will keep a school open as long as it makes money. He's got guts!
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DaveW
New Member
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Post by DaveW on Nov 28, 2003 14:22:25 GMT -5
Thanks. There is a school in my area, Alliance. My dilema is whether to let Schneider school me and owe them a year or go to a school and maybe get my feet wet before joining a carrier. I talked to Schneider again today and the job sounds OK to start but like I mentioned, the employer knows you owe a year... Do they take advantage of that? Any advice from experienced drivers of what they would do if they were starting over again would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Dave
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Post by truckertom on Nov 30, 2003 6:26:03 GMT -5
Oh yes, they are going to take advantage of that. It is an unmentioned assumption that the new drivers are going to get some of the lowest paying, lowest mile loads, the loads that are passed over by other drivers. So if you go for the company paid training, you are going to be hauling the dud loads for a year. Now, is a recruiter going to tell you that up front? No way! In the Recruiters world, the roses are always blooming.
Think of it like this; If you were a dispatcher and you had one driver that just started out making 24 cents a mile and an experienced one making 31 cents a mile, who would you give the long hauls to? The newbie right? He hauls for less per mile. But what happens is the guy making 31 cents a mile can go anywhere and drive, especially the competition. So companies are always in truckstops trying to lure the experienced drivers, competing for them in fact. So the top drivers get top pay and more miles.
But here is the up side, go out and prove yourself for a year or two. Keep your driving record squeeky clean and they will be fighting over you! Offering you more money to get you to sign on....
Just remember, they lie to experienced drivers also!
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DaveW
New Member
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Post by DaveW on Nov 30, 2003 8:56:25 GMT -5
Truckertom,
Thanks for the info. Sounds like any job where you're the low man on the totem pole. I was just concerned about it being abusive to the point where you're miserable and can't quit.... But your explantion sounds like it's the dues you pay, which is fine with me as long as I can earn my rank!
Thanks again, it's helped alot!
Dave
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Post by SilverBullet on Nov 30, 2003 12:38:36 GMT -5
Just remember, they lie to experienced drivers also! Yes, and we keep falling for it.
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Post by truckertom on Nov 30, 2003 13:28:37 GMT -5
"Yes, and we keep falling for it."
I guess we always hope for the best. The lfirst liar dosen't stand a chance.
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Post by JiminyCrickett on Feb 9, 2004 20:50:55 GMT -5
For what it may or may not be worth, if you can qualify for a retraining grant thru the state go for it. Then you have a few more options to look at.
Echoing Truckertom, keep your record clean and try to find a company you can (want) to stay with for at least a year (2 is better by far) and then you can choose who, what, and where you go.
Just remember that you will start at the "bottom of the food chain" again, but with "experience"!
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Post by truckertom on Feb 9, 2004 21:07:07 GMT -5
We have quite a few students that have lost thier jobs in the computer industry lately, many have qualified for the Texas Workforce Commission or Texas Rehab. Commission. It is available, may as well take advantage of it and I have had some great students come through these programs.....I have also had some that were looking for a free ride on the state too.
If your intentions are good, why not? Everyone needs a little help sometimes, and that is what I consider my job. Helping people!
If it were not for that, I wouldn't do it. It is also a great feeling when your ex-students still love you like a brother, years down the road.
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Post by JiminyCrickett on Feb 9, 2004 21:22:20 GMT -5
AMEN!!!
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