Trucking School or Company Training ?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Briguy, Nov 27, 2013.

  1. Briguy

    Briguy Bobtail Member

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    Nov 27, 2013
    Marseilles , IL
    0
    Hi, for a while I have been thinking of changing careers and interested in trucking .

    I am not 100% sure which route to go . I know with company training you are locked with them for a contracted period , versus spending the $ at school . From talking to a few trucker friends and reading online it seams company training is the way to go if you don`t want to or can`t pay for school but since you are on a contract you are treated the worst , and get all the crap loads .

    But , which do you actually learn more from ?

    My brother-in-law that told me the best in his opinion and experience is to go to school and apply at the few local companies that deliver within the few surrounding states as most are descent pay and get descent home time .

    I appreciate any input .
     
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  3. xlsdraw

    xlsdraw Road Train Member

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    Nov 17, 2010
    Winter Haven, Florida
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    "To be Slave or Not to be Slave?" That is the Question.
     
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  4. hoptrot

    hoptrot Light Load Member

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    Nov 26, 2013
    Southeast, GA
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    I'm in the same boat as you and here is how i weighed my options based on some research i did, and what would apply to me.

    Trucking school- I'm actually going to my local technical college for CDL training, here's why:
    1) close to home- i can go to school and come home every night, 7 hour class Mon-Thurs for almost 2 months
    2) grants can/will/should pay tuition costs, there are out of pocket expense too that i'm looking at though like paying for DOT physical/drugscreen and written CDL exam before i even get to my first day of class and 7 year MVR, keep these cost in mind.
    3) not locked in to driving for any specific company right out of school. The choice is mine what I want to do with my CDL. flexibility to weigh my options.
    4) smaller class sizes:15 to 20 students(at my technical school) vs 60-70 in company schools( again these numbers are just from some research, the company school #'s could be off)

    Company Training:
    1) get bused half way across the country to stay in some motel with people i dont know.
    2) i was told it would probably be 2 or 3 months from the time i left to when i might make it back home.
    3) I assume if you stay with the company they will pay for your training, not sure.


    Make sure you do as much research as possible. Youtube actually played a part, just so many negative reviews and blogs for me concerning some company training. Seems like the technical school is the way to go, at least
    that's what I'm looking at, but, your mileage will vary!
     
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  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Community college CDL schools are the cheapest and as good as private CDL schools. Many trucking companies will reimburse you for the tuition. Get the endorsements while in school and will have many more options for jobs; endorsements - tanker, hazmat, doubles/triples, TWIC, passport. At the top of this page click on "CDL Practice Tests" for more info on CDL and endorsements.
     
  6. Briguy

    Briguy Bobtail Member

    3
    1
    Nov 27, 2013
    Marseilles , IL
    0
    Thanks for the replies , after more research I am leaning towards my community college course and from what I`ve been told it is the best in this area .
     
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