Entering the industry

Entering the industry
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:14:00 PM

I've wanted to drive a rig cross-country since I was a little girl.  Left the corp world a few months ago and realized I was at a real crossroads in my life; decided now is the time to go this direction!  In researching trucking schools within transport companies that don't charge for the classes, I found a ConWay located not too far from me outside Chicago.  Has anyone attended classes there and gotten their skills training there and if so, do you feel that was a good place to get it all?  Also, do I need to apply for a CDL permit before taking the IL State CDL tests and if so, where does one go for practice?  Any information anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.  I have the booklets from Advanced Tech Courses as a general outline of things to get me going here and have sent a letter to the Illinois Driver Services Dept to get my official approval to apply for a CDL...Thanks ahead of time to anyone that can be of any help!  ~Cathy

RE:Entering the industry
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:15:39 AM

-Are you interested in Solo or Team?
-What type Tractor would you like or does it matter: Day Cab, 6 or 10 wheel(Two or Three Axle), Flat Top, Mid Roof, Walk-in Condo, -Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Volvo, International, Ford, Mack??
-Do you want to drive an "Auto"shift, or a Manual Trans., and if Manual what Gear Pattern--9,10, 13 15, 18, 21??
-Are you interested in OTR (Long Haul) or local (within 500 miles of starting point), or Regional (a slight combination of both mentioned)??
-What specific Trailer do you prefer: Reefer, Dry Van, Flatbed, Stepdeck, Dropdeck, Tanker( food or other)?? These Trailers are available in 45', 48' and 53' with some states offering longer versions of Dry Vans.
-Trailer ride: Air or Spring??
-Spread Axles or Close Ratio Axles??

-Inside Truck: Do you want all the amenities available such as: Inverter, T. V., Refridgerator, Microwave, etc.??
-Does the color of the Truck matter? If so, buy your own Truck and absorb the headaches thereof.

>One CAN apply for a Commercial Drivers License Permit BEFORE attending ANY Driving School or Course, however I speak not for ALL states nor all courses.
>There ARE College courses available in most if not all states that are cheaper than the Training "schools" that charge a LOT for seemingly nothing. There are some Driver Training Schools that ARE decent and one is Schneider.

>You will most likely ride/drive with a Trainer for at least one month and some companies require longer times.
>It is merely dependent upon how quickly you acquire knowledge: the quicker you learn, the quicker you'll be rolling Solo or Team, whichever you prefer.

<I hope this has helped you in some way or another.>

I hope the BEst of WELLness 2-u-n-urs-n ALL adventures!!