Advice needed from veteran

I don't know about the grants, but darn sure don't go with a company school. It sounds like you have done your home work on that one. I say that because, if you go to a company school and during training on the road after class time you decide that the company is just not for you they can and will ruin your life. They can charge you for the school, and it is big money. Also make you pay back lodging, meals, DOT physical, anything that they paid for, or time spent teaching, and it is a very large sum of money.

 

there are schools out there that have vet rep's and are more than willing to work with the VA so you can use your MGIB just have to do some school shopping, but by doing that you will be more likely to get into a good CDL program

 

Just a couple of things you may want to keep in mind;
1) You might want to see if there's a college in your area that provides CDL training. Make sure that when you graduate that you'll receive a certificate w/ "PTDI" accredited seal on it. Some companies will not take on a new trainee unless the certificate has that "PTDI seal on it. Crete Carrier Corp is one of many that require this. Some schools say they're PTDI, but that may only mean that's their said guidelines, ...& no seal on certificate upon graduation.
2) Recently read posts here when some guy graduated from a substandard CDL mill, & he has a difficult time shifting, & is now on round #3 w/ a company giving him a shot.
Good luck, & from one vet to another; "Thanx"

 

Todd,

I am retired Army (Sitting here in Afghanistan) lol, and I have done some research.. I plan on attending Roadmaster in Indianapolis to get my CDL.. Its a three week school. I spoke with the VA, and they said I can use my GI Bill benefits and they would only cover three weeks worth of payments at a full time rate. Basically they will not pay the entire school, but they will pay part of it. When you are in the school you can do the paperwork there.

Roadmaster also told me the two driving companies that will reimburse me for my tuition (One month at a time) and the same two companies also work with the VA on an Apprentice program. That means while driving, I will be getting my GI Bill benefits at the same time. The two companies that do that, are Werner and TMC. I heard to many horror stories about Werner, and I think TMC looks good. Anyway, I am not pushing Roadmaster at all to you, but saying that if Roadmaster can give me information like that, then I am sure other schools can as well..

By the way, where were you in Afghanistan? I am at Kandahar teaching CIED..

 

Thank you for your service, Todd.

 

Check around, please,

don't waste your GI Bill on a driving school unless it's a last resort.

And darn sure don't waste it on a CDL mill like Roadmaster.

Good Luck !!

 

123456,

Do you have any other suggestions for schools to attend then Roadmaster?

 

Not sure in your area,

do a google search.

I've heard nu-way in granite city isn;t very good either................

 

Don't believe all the horror stories you hear about Werner.We heard them to but my son went to them anyway . He had his CDL A from a private school,went for the 2 days of classes started 1/3/2011; his trainer picked him up a day later 1/6/2011.He calls home every day and is having a blast,always happy never a complaint(currently in California,sunny 70 degree weather).I think the key is getting a good trainer,and he has a great one.