PLEASE HELP THE NEW-COMERS

krasinski · Mar 14, 2004

If you all could take a few moments we would greatly appreciate your advice. We are expecting to enter the trucking industry within the next couple of months. We are looking for a company that will provide CDL training and licensing in exchange for a minimal commitment (for a year or whatever it may be). Can you direct us to a company that provides this type of situation, or to someone that can advise us. Our short and long-term goal is to enter into expediting as an owner/operator. We have read several of your profiles, and have concluded that driving for another owner/operator is advisable before considering making the financial commitment toward owning our own expediting business. Nevertheless, getting with that initial company with CDL training is our first requirement. Please help. We are ready to get started!

Thanking you in advance,

Stan (Shipski) and Sherry Krasinski
Lapine, Alabama

Weave · Mar 14, 2004

What you'll need to do is start contacting some fleet owners in your area who do expediting, and asking them if they would be willing to help you obtain your CDL's. I don't know of any expediting company that will provide this, but a lot of fleet owners who have trucks leased to companies will probably be willing to help train you for your CDL's if you are willing to work for them for a period of time after obtaining your licenses, especially if you are going to run as a team. Check the EO classifieds, there are over 80 people there looking for expedite team drivers, and I'm sure you'll find some willing to be of help in your beginner phase. Take Care,
-Weave-

krasinski · Mar 15, 2004

Thankx for your input and help. If you come up with any other good stuff, please share.

The Gibster · Mar 21, 2004

I sent you folks an email about an article that EO has regarding "Fleet Owners Exceeding Expectations". In there 'Expedite Solutions' located in Indianapolis indicate they provide CDL B training.

Hope this helps you out. If you don't get the email or something goes haywire just mail me and we'll get the info to ya!

Good Luck!

Angela · Mar 30, 2004

Hi Stan & Sherri! My name is Angela and I am the facilitator for Expedite Solutions. I read your message and think I may be of some help to you. Our company offers class B training in less than 2 weeks. The cost is zero to you if you sign a 1 year contract. If you would like more info please visit our web site at expeditesolutions.com. Or if you have questions you can call us directly 877-230-1442. Good luck to you.

Twmaster · Mar 31, 2004

Yikes! Nothing personal there Angela but that 1 year contract stuff sounds like indentured servitude.

--
Mike N

redytrk · Mar 31, 2004

Servitude is not necessarly a bad thing.If both partys know exactly whats expected in the begining(In writing)It can be a win win for both.If I onwed a fleet of trucks,I would be racking my brain with ideas on how to fill those seats with reliable drivers.That truck cant make money for anyone sitting in the driveway.A year is nothing for serious minded people.

davekc · Apr 4, 2004

I wouldn't agree to anything that requires a year commitment. With the ups and downs of this industry you could be shooting yourself in the foot and not have the option to move to something else. I would find a good reputable owner and drive for them with no time period commitment. It is not nesessary in todays expedite market.

aquawarrior7 · Apr 5, 2004

I have worked with expedite solutions and they are a reputable company to work for. They pay weekly into our account. The training was decent, they even showed us how to put on snow chains lol. The 1 year was easy to do with them since they work with good companies.
I would at least call if I was starting all over with no experience.
It cant hurt to call,right?

Weave · Apr 6, 2004

I'm sure they are reputable, and would be worth that phone call, but they certainly shouldn't be the only phone call. I don't have a problem at all with fleet owners making a little profit off their drivers, that's fine. It just looks to me this place might be sucking out a little too much and taking advantage of people in need of a job. Nothing illegal about that, and they certainly seem to be doing well for themslves. It's the moral and ethical issues about it that should be of concern though. Sure they are showing newbies the "ropes," but you are paying a lot of money for it where others would do those things for free.
I tell a lot of newbies this: Learning to drive the truck is easy, actually quite brainless. In my own circumstance the CDL training didn't cost me a dime other than gas money to get back and forth to the school, and I was put out in the truck and learned the ropes on my own, it was not hard. Becming an owner/operator is a little more tricky

-Weave-

Angela · Apr 6, 2004

Mike: I can understand your position. I can try to "sell" the concept to you and of course play the pros & cons for both parties. Our contract holds us to a major commitment to you also. We basically gaurantee you a truck, if it breaksdown or has any problem that comes back on us and we have to put you in a new truck, we dont put you on the road and say bye. Many people in the forum have referred to us as being a rip off, and everyone is entitled to that opinion. We do absorb ALL the cost (drug screens, physicals, and other charges from the carriers to put you in that truck) We pride ourselves on establishing good working relationships with the carriers which in turn help you have a smoother experience for yourself. I must admit that 90% of our family are first time expeditors, we assist them in learning the ropes and not just driving, but financial planning for the expedite industry. Which is why many of our teams decide to stay on after their year. At which point we require no commitment. Fo those out there that are interested but dont want to invest in a truck and over finance themselves and be at the mercy of carriers & the industry I honestly think this is one of the safest options out there. We are not the "typical" fleet management. If you are in Indianapolis IN feel free to stop in or call anytime 877-230-1442 for more information. Thanks for the input.

LaPurr · May 3, 2004

I dont know if getting into expediting right off the batt would be a good place to start to the OTR world, but thats just my opinion. I would suggest going with a regular OTR company, like U.S. Xpress, and go from there. I can tell you alot about US as I still work for them until I get all my ducks in a row, and go expedited. And if you guys sign on with them, go thru their training program, and then run team with them, you will get a BRAND new truck for the first year. Either a crappybuilt, I mean Peterbuilt, or a Volvo. The only reason I suggest this is because with Epedited frieght, you dealing with JIT (just in time) time clocks, with little to no exceptions. With regular frieght, theres always a little space to manuever things around with, which means you can stop and take a shower or eat. you will have to sign a year contract with them, and you will pay for your training, but thru payroll deduction of .01 cent a mile for the entire year. They offer the ability to go thru their training school in Medway Ohio without having to pay for a hotel, as they have dorms for their new trainees. Some will say there is a downside to going with US, as all there trucks are automatics. I rather drive an automatic than a standard any day of the week. Their school is a nationally acredited school. Also you dont even have to have a perfect driving record (hey everyone makes mistakes).

On the other hand, you might be able to get into class b expediting (just your run of the mill 3/4 or 1 ton cargo VAN, this is what I am getting into), and not have to go thru a school at all. You just head down to your local DMV, take a test for a class C with a hazmat endorsement, and your set. Some companys dont require a hazmat endorsement, but its good to have just in case. Then its just a matter of either buying a truck and becoming an O/O (owner operator), or sign on with some other O/O who has some equipment for you to drive. Just make sure to read ALL the fine print in whatever you do.

Brian

No liability for my postings, which are suggestions or opinions based on personal experience.

STUMPY · May 3, 2004

We need you guys in Canada arrgh please expand like right now HELP!!!!!

pellgrn · May 3, 2004

If ya never did any expediting you may want to go into it with as little risk as possible,that means being finding an owner to drive for that is willing to take the risk that you may not like it.The one year contract may be ok if they don't beat ya up to bad with earily termination fees,the fact they don't buy any ads on this site but are working the threads to find drivers,my speak to how the company conducts it's self.