New research for my husband in AZ

Honesty is the best policy. So I will be honest. No one is going to hire him with a 7 day trucking school. Not for local. He's going to have to train with someone, and then be on his own. Lots of local jobs don't hire new drivers, unless it's in house.

 

The federal standard for CDL training is 160 hours, with something like 40 driving. Not all states/schools adhere to that standard and seem to get away with less. So I don't know how legit that school is but I have no trust in it.

Yeh, every school and every mega-crap trucking company claims there is no problem earning $50k right out of school. Every new driver thinks they will get that their fist year. If that is so, how come the average wage for drivers is around 36k, is everybody else just slacking. That 36k average is for all truckers, newbies and those with 30+ years.

Haz-mat makes money. Not so much for the new driver but down the road it a money making asset. There is no reason not to get one right away.

Paid training will depend on the company. It is usually chicken feed. However, it just about the highest weekly pay that one will receive at a training company!

 

Well, if he can pick it back up in 7 days, pass the medical, drug test - and perform the practical test and receive a valid CDL , then he's a candidate for several errrrrrr, companies.

Starting pay? Very deep, argumentative topic.

Anywhere from $0 to $40k, at a ballpark guess.

 

A new driver could probably do mid-40k his first year. However, that would be with a reputable company. One that probably wouldn't take him too seriously after a 14-hour driving CDL school.

 

CDL schools don't teach you how to drive, they teach you how to get a CDL. If he has his license, he's as good as anybody. He's starting cold, because nobody cares about driving experience that old. I know, I had 4 years in the '80's. I went to the one month refresher school, 160hr drivetime, did good. I think your man will probably want to go that route. It's actually a different world, even if the trailers are only 5' longer.

I would tell him to try Conway Truckload, for a good company with good support. I went with Swift because I couldn't pass the agility test heart rate requirement, and it was OK. I think their pay has gone up dramatically since those 3 years have gone by. Anyway, best. I think you can expect to achieve your family goals, but it might take 18 months or so. Of course, I presume he's a hardworking guy. That's going to be necessary for any success, anywhere.

 

BUT, have your husband apply to the company in "blairandgretchen's" sig line! He'll be making 50k/6mos! Winner-winner, chicken dinner!!!!

 

Have him call or look up online, SWIFT (please trolls leave it alone it has it's good and it's bad) Your in Phx like me. My husband got a second career and easily makes over $50k a year with Swift, it can be done. There is also a Swift board here on the forums that a lot of people have put in day to day accounting of exactly what school and being out with a trainer is like. PM me if you have questions. Yes it costs more but it isn't upfront, and they will give you a job sometimes you need to start out where you can and start making money.

 

He can make over $50K starting out with a company like Groendyke Transport. They hire new CDL graduates. They probably require 160 hr. CDL school though. The website may have "experience required", so ignore that; they hire new CDL grads from good schools. Call and ask. He will need tanker/hazmat endorsements. With tankers he can eventually make $65K-$100K per year. With 24 months experience he can make over $100K with Trimac Transportation "Elite Fleet."

DSW Trucking will hire him with that short school, but don't know about the pay there. It's dry van local/regional/OTR based in Phoenix. Work there, then after about 6 mos. start staying in contact with Groendyke about changing over to them. Groendyke will probably take him then.

Knight Transportation has a decent training program and pays around $400.00 weekly for training. After training if he would stay with the company 12 months, then switch to Groendyke. Knight's dry van division would be best.

Most tanker drivers are in the $65K range. Make that the goal and it's easily achievable. One Schneider tanker driver said he almost bumped $80K last year.
Living in AZ you're probably better off making Groendyke or Trimac the goal.

 

Best suggestion anyone can make is to take the time to find a place to get trained right, and because you are desperate for him to start like it is a normal job, I would also suggest he forget this and go find another place to work,