I am a newbie and have been spending the past few days trying to cram as much info as I can from this site as well as others mentioned here. I have been trying to decide which company would be best to go with since I don't have my cdl yet. I have a few concerns though. Funds (or lack thereof) and strength issues. I did some research on the Schneider website and found something called a pre-work screen process. Pulling 100 lbs 3 times??? Not sure if I could do that or not. Am female so also concerned about lack of female trainers (not for me but because that seems to be an issue for trainers ). Any advice would be appreciated. US Xpress sounds good, but do they have a cdl course? I could not find one. If not will they take you straight out of school? Couldn't find that info either. I was really interested in Roehl, but it doesn't look like they are out this way.

I have been wanting to get into trucking for over a year now, but have been having difficulty getting funding to do it. Have tried the gov but getting nowhere fast. I don't really know how to get a student loan, so all suggestions will be appreciated. So far the community college classes here are full all the time, and my luck being what it is I always end up being "on the waiting list". Western Pacific Truck school is local to get a cdl but it costs $4769 and may go up in the next month. I don't have access to that. Also not sure if I could actually get a job after attaining cdl through the school. So far their placement recommends Werner...not thrilled about that.

I have no problems on background checks and a clean driving record (even though I live in CA lol ). Being away from home is no prob, no kids and have a hubby who understands that in this life we have to work and I am not finding any without schooling. We have talked about this and he accepts that I will probably not see him much for the next year or so. We can live with that. Just trying to find the way in.

So at the moment all I can say is aaaaaaaggghhh! LOL

Continuing to try to sort through the info on the site and websites of the companies. My brain feels like its been packed with wool from all the info I have been finding. So far still seems that Schneider is gonna end up winning. *sigh* Will have to keep looking...

Have you Tried to get into the WIA program it is avalibe at your local job service?

Us xpress does hire people out of schools but you need to check with any company that you may want to get a job with to see of they accept students from that school.

If you would like to work for Watkins Shepherd they have their own school it is 4 weeks long and there is no trainer to go out with after school.

I belive that Central Ref or CFI has their own school too do not quote me on that I just heard that do not know if it is true or not.

Thank you for the info Mgassel. I will check into Watkins Shepard and keep looking around for my place.