hey everyone just curious if someone out there could tell me if there are any other companies that:
1. sponsor training (with the option to not sign contract)
2. have spouse or friend related training
3. have schools close to Alabama

besides CRST (who does not have direct deposit) and Schneider who did not seem to rank to high on the favorites list. Any advice on companies that offer these things please let me know. #3 is not very important but would be nice, also if they have direct deposit that would be great, (not comdata pay like CRST, who currently was my first choice). Oh and before I forget home time is not that important either. Thanks

Unless you are seriously short on cash, you do NOT want to go to training with a specific company, just to get your CDL. You need to get your CDL A before you even contact a carrier (for your own good, btw). Or at the very least, you need to be in school with your Class A learner's permit in hand and your DMV road test scheduled, before you contact a carrier.

If you are truly desperate (read: short on cash), there are other options besides attending carrier training. I'm attending SAGE at the moment, which does not have any locations near Alabama. HOWEVER, a guy I know is unemployed and just got admitted to SAGE with tuition paid for entirely by the state. I'm sure Alabama has a similar program, so you *should* be able to go to a local community college for truck driver training and get your tuition paid for (or at least part of it) by Alabama.

Out of many dozens of carriers I've researched, I've only seen one that would allow you to bring a family member in to train them yourself. I wish I could remember which one. Will post later if I remember.

Run truck driving school Alabama through google. -Dave

Oh yeah, the one that allows you to bring a family member in to train is J.B. Hunt, but that won't help you, as you do NOT want to work there.

Think Prime will do that, but they are not highly rated around here. They are in Springfield, MO. My understanding they don't require you to sign a contract.

If you are unemployed you can check with the Alabama Career Center and apply for WIA which will pay for your schooling, All except the price for your written exam, physical, DMV and Skills test. I just graduated from Randy Maddox Inc. CDL Driving Training and am very pleased with how they train you. They actually train you in a real truck, not a simulator. They train in an automatic and super 10 speed manual. If you need more info on them let me know and I will get back to you. They are located in North Alabama on Sand Mountain. I am leaving today for McElroy so it may be a few days befor I can reply, I will be home on the weekends.

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KEEPING THE ROADS HOT WILL FILL THE POT, VISITING THE LOT LIZZARDS WILL MAKE THE POT DISAPEAR LIKE A WIZZARD.

Thanks for the info. How long is the training?

The training is 4 weeks long 160 hours.

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KEEPING THE ROADS HOT WILL FILL THE POT, VISITING THE LOT LIZZARDS WILL MAKE THE POT DISAPEAR LIKE A WIZZARD.

Overheard,


How do you like McElroy so far?? Thanks.

After one week in orientation and one week at the terminal for first week training and just completed the first week on the truck with a trainer, I really like McElroy Truck Lines. Their training is extensive 7 weeks long before you get your own truck but that is one reason I went with them, because I wanted the best and all the training I could get before I got out there by myself with the real professionals on the road. I put that in there like that because I know everyone thinks just because you've got a CDL you are suppose to be a professional driver but that come with time and expierence not just by taking a test. Now back to the question: I think McElroy is a great company and would recommend anyone to go there, if you can handle flatbed. There is alot of tarping. Hope this helps.

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KEEPING THE ROADS HOT WILL FILL THE POT, VISITING THE LOT LIZZARDS WILL MAKE THE POT DISAPEAR LIKE A WIZZARD.

how hard is the tarping? i'm going with either tmc or maverick because i would prefer flats. i also applied at mcelroy, anderson, roehl, and boyd, but i haven't heard back yet.