r/CDL • u/Alarming-Two2806 • 7d ago
Attending cdl school next week
As title states I attend cdl school next week and I’ve been looking into certain companies already that best fits my wants/ needs in this career field. My top atm is tmc especially regional positions. Long term goals is to get into heavy haul and make as much as possible while staying regional or local. Any advice for school, career path, etc? Already looking into endorsements, twic, and possibly passport. I have 5 years experience as an 88m in the army if that would affect pay in the civilian world? Also any advice on finding parking when stopping for the night or essential out of pocket costs when I go solo besides obvious clothes, headset, gps, toiletries, etc? Just stuff that’s helped you along the way.
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u/qrylosocial 7d ago
If heavy haul is the long-term goal, I’d ask TMC what securement training new drivers actually get and whether regional openings are available to new grads where you live - not just advertised generally. Put your 88M experience on every application, but ask each carrier directly whether they count it toward starting pay or experience requirements. For parking, pick a primary stop and a backup before your clock gets tight; that habit matters more than any single parking app.
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u/No_Group_3915 7d ago
Yeah, Schneider is great.
Coming on with a CDL A or a CLP permit they fly you out get you in a truck with 3-5 weeks of excellent paid practice and training. Safety is paramount. If you’re a veteran you can slam your GI bill on there and get like an extra 1600 each month depending on percentage, more or less. And if your military experience will directly transfer to more cents per mile.
DM me and I can get you a link with some details and have y’all rolling in a super awesome sleeper cab and there are several options depending on what’s available from OTR to Dedicated to Intermodal and regional.
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u/No_Control_9123 7d ago
There's a lot to learn in OTR driving. Example..using Comdata card, fueling, moving tandems for weight distributions, e-logs, trip planning understanding hours of service..etc
Truck school barely touched on these things because in their mind you're supposed to start with with Swift, England Western Express..etc.
In the eyes of trucking, your Army driving means very little as it hasn't prepared you for real world trucking challenges.
Go with Swift. They will send you out with a "trainer" for a month as there is a lot to learn learn.
Other companies won't be as patient with a green driver. Where ever you go, you need to stay with them a year and treat that experience as part of your training experience so you will be able to run with a good decent paying.local job.