A few questions on getting started

Definitely use the gi bill...

as for a school aim for a community college sponsored Cdl training program in your area

as for OTR to local transition, 2 years? No. I know of a friend who is a veteran and is driving local for jb hunt after 6 months Cdl experience.

Good luck

 

He can make over $60K per year pulling tankers and have a full benefits package. Yes, attend a CDL school because these high paying jobs don't have their own CDL school. Make sure the school is minumum 160 hours. With Trimac Transportation he can make $80K - $100K in 24 months.

Trimac Transportation
Superior Carriers
Tidewater Transit
SVTN
CTL Transportation
Groendyke Transport
Schneider Bulk
A&R Transport - one year experience required is waived for military veterans. Make $62K-$72K per year.

Driving tankers is a great career!

 

Doesn't matter where the company is headquartered, home time for the driver is based on company policy. Many companies also have terminals nationwide. A company could be headquartered in Oklahoma City, but still hire drivers from all 48 states. You don't have to relocate.

Put your location on your profile so we know the hiring area you live in. At least put the nearest city if you don't want to show the exact town/city.

 

1. Is it better to go to school on your own or through a company? He does have a gi bill he could use to pay for the school its just the fact of waiting on the VA to get the ball rolling. Use a local CDL school, using a company will usually tie you in for a year.

2. Is there anything he should look for in a school or company that trains. Search online for positive reviews, Community colleges that have CDL programs have high ratings, look for newer equipment.

3. What is the starting out pay for a newbie? Need to make sure we can afford for him to leave his current two jobs for 1. All over the board from 26c to 38c on average for 6 months, 40c+ after that. The first year is tough in this biz. Flatbed and tanker usually pay better.

4. From what we are understanding he will have to work pretty much nonstop, no family time for the first yr-2 and then he has a better chance of getting in with a company that's more local. Is this correct? Many local/regional companies will accept 6 months experience but 12 months for the better companies. Specialized and Hazmat seem to want 24 months.

This is one of the most frustrating businesses to start but gets a lot better after the first year. Knowing this and preparing for it going in allieviates some of the headaches. It is not a get rich quick scheme by any means and time away is hard on family and kids.

 

Dutch Maid in Willard, OH has free CDL training. It's a refrigerated company.

Some CDL schools offer night or weekend classes for those that can't go full time. Do some Google searches for those.

Maverick has a good deal for CDL training, but it's full time. They send him to University of Arkansas @ Newport for CDL school and pay for lodging and meals. He can make over a thousand a week working for that company.

I stress though, hazmat tankers is best.