Good morning... I found this site again and decided to pay a visit again.

I am a laid off computer programmer, white collar, office cubicle, M-F 9-5 type of thing. I can't find anything in the I.T. industry anymore, because the companies want Masters Degrees - and yet they want to pay $35/k to start. Therefore dozens and dozens of I.T. professionals are saying "F YOU" to corporations, so the corporation outsource the jobs overseas. That's why when you call for I.T. Tech Support on your computer, you end up speaking with Abdul in some overseas country!!!!

Sorry for the rant, but that's what it's like being a computer programmer, Unix admin, overall I.T. professional.

I find myself underqualified, overqualified, everything in between. A lot of companies look at my application and go, "Whoa... you made $52/k as a programmer? Uh, well, we can't match that, and besides, this is only a $9.25/hour office administrative position. Sorry..."

So, I have decided to look back into driving a truck. I am 46 years old, retired military, have a wife and two grown kids. Maybe truck driving is something I should do, maybe not, maybe so.

My main question: I picked up a big CDL booklet from the local DMV in town and have read it and goofed around with a practice test on the internet. Is it better to go to a 4-5 week driver training school, or get the CDL on my own? Some of the driving schools are $3500 or more! Getting a CDL on my own would obviously be cheaper.

Need any advice anyone can offer....

understand this INSURANCE CO. DICTATE THIS INDUSTRY

you will not even be considered for employment unless you are a recent graduate of a approved school

for instance i graduated last year in early 06, never drove, and am now looking and HAVE to do a refresher already too even be considered +hazmat seems to be required 9 out of 10 places i've looked

ask away i am always online it seems and have been surfing this forum a good 5 weeks now. lots of knowledge and exp. on this forum

Look at local community colleges! more than one, I have two in my area,
one wanted 2500.00 the other which used state employees was only 1600.00 I was able to get a grant that paid 90% of it even though I was
turned down for financial aid by the school. made too much last year.
the school was 6 wks-270 hrs, My opinion this is the best way to go!
and others I've read in forum seem to agree. Good Luck

While it's not impossible to get your CDL on your own and find work, it's improbable that you would do so with a reputable company. Also, you won't be properly trained.

I went to a CDL school and committed myself to PAM Transport for a year. The school only cost me about $300 up front, and $25/wk after I started driving in my own truck with the company.

A lot of people on here talk bad about going through a sponsorship program. You'll see phrases used like "being a slave", or "tied down for a year." I understand the point they are trying to make, but let me just say that for some people this is the best way to enter the industry. Especially if you don't have $3000 - $5000 laying around just waiting to be spent. If you want to go in debt and borrow the money from your lender of choice, then go ahead. I personally would rather someone else flip the bill and in exchange I offer them a year's worth of servitude.

Regardless of how you get your CDL, you had better stay for at least one year with whichever company you select. If you don't go through a certified CDL school, you better stay at least 2-3 years. If you'll read the fine print on many employment ads you'll find they will accept X yrs/months of experience if you went to a certified school, and Y yrs if not.

Hope this helps.

__________________
Keep that diesel burnin' and those tires turnin', but get there safe to keep on earnin'!!

I just noticed your in My area. Look at "Sothern Virginia Community College", Blackstone, Va - excellent School!!

Did you ever decide to go the trucking route? I am in the same boat you were in; lost my job last year, college educated, 54 yo female working for $10 an hour at a factory. I have been interested in the trucking field since I lost my job, but am reluctant to (once again) spend time and money on something that will not pay out. Thanks for any help you can give me.