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They want me to sign a one year contract. The contract is super simple, all it says is: "Our training costs ~$14,800, and we require you to complete 12 months of employment. If you do not complete 12 months of employment, we reserve the right to seek legal restitution for the cost of the program." Now I have no idea if I will want to compete a full year with this company or not. I'm curious how binding a contract like this really is, or if it is even lawful at all.

Comments

Pascal

04.12.2024

You don’t want to end up in a financial ditch if things go south

Clayton

06.30.2023

Buddy, that’s a hefty price tag for training. Make sure you’re not biting off more than you can chew.

1

Sion

04.07.2023

A year on the road ain’t a short haul

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Eddie

12.29.2022

Are they paying off your schooling or raping you in the asshole?

3

Marni

12.28.2022

Never heard of this before.

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Xander

12.25.2022

Do NOT sign yourself into ANY form of servitude. There are some MEGAs that do this too regarding leasing a truck. At the very minimum the contract won't say how many hours/miles/$ you are guaranteed in those 12 months so there are setting you up for failure.

5

Barney

12.24.2022

I'm not sure if it is binding but I wouldn't sign it. Since you have your CDL you shouldn't have to sign a contract. Those that don't have a CDL shouldn't sign a contract saying they will owe $14000.

5

Iestyn

12.24.2022

1 year contracts are pretty common for training companies, now the $14,800 cost is absolutely bullshit

2

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Imagine if driver education went beyond this.

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Seamus

03.11.2024

More signs like this

1

Osian

05.18.2023

Amen to that message! It’s about time we school the four-wheelers on giving us the space we need.

3

Levi

02.17.2023

We need more of that good stuff

1

Mike

12.29.2022

Or in my case this morning, Big Rig is light, high winds will blow them into the other lane, give ‘em space!

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Fleur

12.28.2022

Directions unclear, still in blindspot 5 miles later cus I'm afraid to pass.

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Hello

12.25.2022

Arizona?

2

Roman

12.25.2022

Small words but too many. This would be a distraction...from their phones. Should say 'Heavy truck Crush car'

1

Mulder

12.24.2022

Saw this in the valley today. ADOT good for something occasionally.

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I've just entered the trucking industry. My OTR trainer has been nothing short of a nightmare. Rude, hostile, arrogant, telling me to do stupid, illegal things

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Strickland

06.05.2024

Reach out to HR and lay it out straight.

Benito

10.23.2023

Flag it with dispatch and get yourself a trainer who knows how to navigate without the drama

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Jago

09.19.2023

Hey there, new blood. If your trainer’s giving you a rough ride, it’s time to pull over

1

Keanu

12.28.2022

Yeah, you need to get safety involved, full send that shit.

3

Pascal

12.28.2022

Talk to safety or the driver coordinators. I had the exact same experience

1

Mike

12.27.2022

Ye, Talk to safety

2

Thomas D.

12.27.2022

which company? if it's one of the megas you can probably just call safety or something..i wouldn't worry about being a snitch, you need to look out for yourself and your career

2

Hawkins

12.27.2022

This is exactly what I was thinking.

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GGG

12.26.2022

“I don’t feel comfortable with this trainer. Is someone else available “

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Krueger

12.25.2022

Drive away while he's in the shower. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

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What industries did you get into after trucking?

Comments

Levi

12.28.2022

Could always move into dispatch. You already understand the other side. Not really a career path without a degree anymore, but when I was a wildland firefighter with the forest service, a CDL with experience as a hobbyist outdoorsman was enough to get on an engine crew.

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Krueger

12.27.2022

There's life after trucking?!

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Marni

12.27.2022

Municipal/county operator, road maintenance and plowing

2

Benito

12.27.2022

Law enforcement

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Jago

12.26.2022

i’ve thought about being some sort of trainer or dispatch when i feel like i’m done driving. I know the pay won’t be comparable to driving but it would be nice to be home every day

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FMCSA creates new website page to help entry-level drivers get answers

LINK

Comments

Clayton

03.11.2024

That’s a solid move by the FMCSA. Us old-timers had to learn the hard way

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Ayden

08.08.2023

About time

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Tamsin

07.31.2023

This new page is like a rest stop for info – good on the FMCSA

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RoadMan

12.28.2022

You’ll still be left with many unanswered questions,just the way it goes!!!!

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Rony

12.27.2022

I checked out the site it actually is pretty helpful. It’s got a good directory of cdl schools in your area. I did a check in my area and it brought up all the credible schools in my area.

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Lepe

12.26.2022

What this really means is DOT officers really don't have any clues so they create this forum where they get us drivers to answer life's harder questions.

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Barney

12.26.2022

Well I guess the website has a hyperlink to Cobra, Connex and Stryker.

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How long from orientation to driving? What should I bring with me for the 5 days or so a rookie wouldn't think about? Going to bring a duffle bag and a large backpack with cloths and warm clothing. What items do you bring with you when going otr?

Comments

Elias

06.01.2024

Throw in a reliable GPS and a solid pair of gloves. You’ll be handling more than just the steering wheel out there.

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Haroon

07.09.2023

a good flashlight, extra chargers, and a stash of non-perishable snacks

2

Declan

05.06.2023

Pack your patience. Orientation to driving time can vary, but keep your logbook ready

1

Iqra

12.27.2022

At least $400 and the credit card needs to have enough on it to get you home, hotels and food included from anywhere in the US. You do not want to be stuck in random city, USA with no options. Swift has been known to strand trainees before

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Eddie

12.26.2022

$400 cash, a cell phone with unlimited minutes, and a credit card so you can rent a car or get a plane ticket home.

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Levi

12.24.2022

Bath bag with soap, tooth brush, tooth paste. Towel, wash cloth, shower shoes. Pants, sweat shirt, underwear, socks. Gloves, hat, sunglasses. Charging block/cords. Pillow, blanket, top sheet .Basic stuff.

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Sion

12.21.2022

Awesome thanks! I have a food warmer so canned food would be really good actually.

1

Leroy

12.20.2022

After you pass the hair and piss test, you’ll most likely be hired. All the trucks have a fridge. I brought peanut butter and jelly, bread, soup in a can, granola bars, fruit. You’ll sleep on the top bunk, if you can’t sleep in the truck, reach out to the driver coordinator and they will get you a hotel room.

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Authorities say four people died and several more were injured Friday, Dec. 23 during a huge pileup on the Ohio Turnpike that involved 46 vehicles including at least 15 commercial vehicles.

LINK

Comments

Strickland

12.27.2022

I've driven through the same or worst and i was doing 25 to 35 mph. I was being passed by smaller vehicles and trucks as well. Slow down super drivers.

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Lepe

12.26.2022

People just refuse to slow down. Some States and counties don’t take care of the road as good as they used to back in the day

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Benito

12.25.2022

CB radio could have prevented this.

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Mulder

12.24.2022

Low pay eld regulations and mistreatment of drivers from shippers and recievers if they late keeps these drivers hammer down and this is the result it a sad what drivers go through now days

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Roman

12.24.2022

Prayers for everyone's safety 🙏

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How was your driving life in 2022? What do you expect in 2023?

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Xander

12.27.2022

I retired too after 44 years. Too many companies have hired so many Boneheads that either receive poor training from the Companies, or they are just too stupid to retain in their heads what the Companies trained them on. Just a sad way to see our industry going down for several years.

2

Iestyn

12.27.2022

Inexperienced , Yes There Are Many . . . We All Started Somewhere . . . Hopefully OTJT They Will Learn . . . Some Seem to be Very Slow Learner's . This Industry Isn't for Everyone ! . . . I'm Going to Retire End of 2023 . . .

4

Keanu

12.26.2022

I expect that drivers can keep their jobs. I expect drivers standing together to stop driverless trucks flooding our roads.

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Eddie

12.24.2022

I hope that in 2023 the cpm will be going up more than a penny or two per mile.

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Sion

12.23.2022

Glad I landed with a great company

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Not trucking yet, but I wanna know. How do y'all deal with being in your rigs over Christmas?

Comments

Krueger

12.24.2022

Wife and I were requested by customer to run a hot load. paying us each a thousand dollar bonus for running on Christmas. We're taking the 2 grand and see inlaws on new years!

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Milo

12.23.2022

Eggnog and Netflix. But the stronger and less family-friendly version of both

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Keanu

12.20.2022

The company I drive for has guaranteed home time for Christmas… so here I am…

1

Lepe

12.19.2022

Treat it like your birthday. No big deal. Rest areas tend to be empty, so parking is easier there at all times of the night.

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Hey everyone, I'm looking for stories of how truckers have lost weight. Everyone's different so I'd love to hear what works.

Comments

Fred

05.16.2024

Get yourself a mini-fridge. Stock it with healthy snacks

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Josef

09.26.2023

Keep a pair of good walking shoes in the cab. Stretch your legs at every stop

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Daniels

04.20.2023

Lean meats, fruits, veggies – that’s the ticket

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Eddie

12.23.2022

I do calorie counting no more than 2k a day and like the guy said don’t drink your calories! Drinking your calories adda up so quick I usually only have lunch and dinner no breakfast or snacks in between

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Barney

12.23.2022

Don’t drink your calories… no soda, or sweetened coffee… that helped a lot.

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Sion

12.19.2022

Jump rope is very helpful tbh

2

Hello

12.19.2022

I stopped eating meat and cut out sugars and booze. I feel I have a TON more energy now, although I do drink black coffee (cut out milk also) to give me a wake up in the morning.

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Roman

12.18.2022

Avoid gluten and dairy,candy and sugar drinks. Eat fresh food, salads, fruits, beans, very little red meat.

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