Ok everyone I need some help. As alot of you might now I was planning to go to IDC but they pulled the rug out from under me at the last moment and now my hubby and I are lost in the dark just trying to find our way.

Here is the deal. We need a company that has a company sponsored school, allows pets, and will allow me to train with a female trainer. I know a tall order to fill!!!

I really want to go with USXpress, my second choice to IDC, but I can not get funding for an independent school. Our credit is shot, can't get any grants and don't qualify for the WIA program. Plus we can't seem to get anyone to co-sign for Roadmaster's school.

I thought long and hard about Schneider but just found out no pets are allowed. Considered CR England but same deal, no pets! It is just not an option to leave our dog behind once we are in our own truck and we will not lease.

Covenant allows pets but doesn't have a school. USXpress allows pets but doesn't have a school. Interstate who knows what is going to happen with their program.

Watkins Shepherd we aren't in their hiring area and don't know if they allow pets anyway.

I do know that CRST will allow pets but they won't guarantee a female trainer and there is no way that I am going out with a man!

Are we just screwed? I am starting to think so. I know we are just too darn demanding! Is there anywhere out there for us? If you have any ideas let me know! All help is appreciated!!!!!!!!

__________________
No Carb Diet! No Cheney. No Ashcroft. No Rumsfeld. No Bush.
January 20, 2009 End of an Error!!
I think...therefore I'm a...Libertarian!

You know, we went to a company that had a no pets policy and I offered to pay a deposit, refunded when we quit if the truck was fine and they said, okay. You can bring your dog. I also said I'd clean the truck completely when we were finished - remove all dog hair, etc., etc.

Have you tried to talk to the companies who say "no pets" and see if something can be worked out whereby you put a deposit down (like you would on an apartment) of, say, $500 that you would get back if/when you leave? I know you don't have $500 right now but surely you could come up with it by the time you're in your own truck and this MIGHT sway some of the "no pets" companies to allow you to bring your beloved pet.

I hope you find something. I know I could never go on the road without my dog

of the companies sassy listed there all major cariers (5,000 tractors or around there is how i define that) and have strict no bending policies for me pets were not a deal breaker so i went with schneider to get my experience. as far as a female trainer goes, CRST wont guarantee a female trainer but if you ask for one and sit and wait for one to open up if thats an option then that takes care of that problem. i know at schneider female trainers are few and far between so they offer a choice of waiting till a female trainer opens up or go out with a man. schneider will foot a hotel room for the time a female is out with a male trainer and vice versa and the only time they are in the same place is when there both awake and they are very strict about that. good luck in your search and if this is something you really want to do you will find a company that fits your needs just keep looking

__________________
Pumpkin Driver - we got problems but so does every one else
Army Driver
"Wars come and go, but my soldiers stay eternal." tupac

give you some wisdom...haha.... from an elder point of view. You might just have to put trucking on hold for a wee bit while you and hubby work and save some money so you can get into a school. Also, you might want to really think about the pet issue if that's causing problems and have a trusty friend watch your beloved Farfel ( lol ) and see if you can at least get into trucking without the pet at least for a while to get the experience and then worry about the pet later on. Both of you might just have to find decent paying jobs and put money away. If you set a goal for yourself in writing and adhere to it, you might be surprised that it may not take too long afterall. There are always solutions to problems, they may not be the exact solution you want immediately but there are ways to overcome almost any obstacle...even if it means sacrificing for a while . Look at the bigger picture as a whole in order to get where you want to be. Set goals to save money and start with that. Hear yee, hear yee.. we are gathered here today to witness the second coming of this future trucker. May she rise up and meet the demands set forth in this declaration by the mental case at hand. It's good to be a mental case sometimes.... it lets you think outside the box when you're not in ward C with the other lunatics !! Any questions or concerns will be addressed in an appropriate manner according to this certified doctrine under the pretext of insanity.

Well guys and gals, I have signed my life away to Werner. My brother-in-law is a trainer for them and he talked us into it. I am actually very excited and ready to get on the road!

Watch out...here I come!

__________________
No Carb Diet! No Cheney. No Ashcroft. No Rumsfeld. No Bush.
January 20, 2009 End of an Error!!
I think...therefore I'm a...Libertarian!

Sassy, hope all goes well! I'm glad you finally found a solution to your situation. I hope you will keep us all informed of your experience with Werner. My 2 sons just signed up with Roadmaster this evening. One of the companies that recruits there is Werner and while I have read so much BAD stuff about the company, the admissions lady at the school talked very favorably of them. I realize she may have a hidden agenda, but would like to hear your first hand experience with the company. Congratulations and I have to say I'm jealous!! My hubby and I plan to do the same thing some time this year. Just trying to get a few loose ends tied up before take the plunge.

We found out tonight that we also finally got approval from Roadmaster. My other brother-in-law works for USA and he co-signed for us. The problem is that even with getting approved they said we still need a total of $2000 down which will include our hotel. There is just no way to come up with that right now. We might have it in a few months since we will be getting income tax money back, but we just can't wait anymore. Right now we are living with my in-laws and we have got to get the heck out of here, they are driving us crazy!!! Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do and this is one of those times for us. Of course if we could do things differently we would, but you can't go back in time!

I will definitely keep you posted. My brother-in-law that works for Werner now loves it and they love him. He is treated very well and was trainer of the year. He is going to train one of us and is having the guy that trained him train the other one of us. I am not too worried! At least we have someone looking out for us!

__________________
No Carb Diet! No Cheney. No Ashcroft. No Rumsfeld. No Bush.
January 20, 2009 End of an Error!!
I think...therefore I'm a...Libertarian!

I think that you have done well to have a brother-in-law at Werner who's willing to train you. Eventually, you'll get team wages. Does your brother-in-law get a finder's fee to make the training period that much easier for you all.