Hello everyone im a newbie here and a newbie to the truck driving world. I am currently in training at a Nu-Way training school in Pontiac Mi. I jumped into this school because a friend of mine has had success with them and was driving for swift, corrigan moving & now central transport based out of michigan. My question(s) are this.
1. Alot of these schools I already know are somewhat crooked as far as placing you with a job that meets your needs and abilities as a driver (I should of done the research first). I will be in a 3 week course (which seems short to me) and I am promised a job when I graduate. At the time of going into schooling I was thrilled and was feeding off my friends happiness with his job, but now it seems like im at a cross roads. Do I complete this school that may or may not take care of me in the long run? Or do I suck it up and take it up the butt and hope for the best, knowing about all the horror stories and feeling somewhat down about my decision? Ugh...
REGIONAL DRIVING: I know carriers push students straight out of school to go OTR just by reading into this message board a little bit and listening to our "slicked back hair recruiter with his business suit and tie." I am however considering a regional route for my first 6-12 months of experience and feel the need to stay home for my mother who is very ill right now and has nobody to take care of her. My questions for regional driving is this. If I life in Michigan how far will I have to drive ON A REGULAR BASIS if I choose to do regional driving? and will these companies stand by there word and give me the routes that I have wished for? (I DO NOT WANT TO GO TO CALIFORNIA AND BACK AND BE AWAY FOR 2 WEEKS AT A TIME, WILL THAT HAPPEN?) I have heard many horror stories about the carriers that Nu-Way introduces to you and I do not want to get my first job and loose it after a couple months of working...then have to pay back a training fee if offered.
I just need some advice, im 24yrs old and got into this because of a friend and I am starting to find out that we are two totally different people. I am very interested in truck driving and am willing to work but at the same time it feels like I have gotten myself into a serious finacial crisis by going with one of the "3-4 weeks CDL Training" schools. Is there anyway around these schools once you have graduated from them? Can I pull out of the recruiters suggestions and find a more local job right out of schooling? What are some of the carriers that students have had success with during a first time regional driving career? Any advice would be greatly appreciated for I am very nervous about my decision. Ive heard the worst things about people having to payback a training fee & a tuition fee at the same time, then loosing there first job over bogus claims or differences. I do not know right now exactly what carriers are offered through the school but could anyone point me in the right direction once I get that list of schools? Thank you very much and sorry this was so long...desperate times call for lengthy measures.
m1sterh0tsauc3

p.s. Has anyone ever gone to Nu-Way that is a member of this forum?

No school or company can/will promise you a job. THAT'S a total lie. If it was told to you, strike one.

Regional implies (usually) a 500 mile radius.

Once you have your CDL, you are free to find ANY job you want. Be forewarned, if you signed a contract stating you would work for a certain company and they trained you. You will be liable for all expenses regarding your training.

If you paid for your own training...you are free to go anywhere, at any time.

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Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.

It might not be able to start out regional unless it's with a company that specializes in regional freight. I don't want to say that it will be impossible but it will be harder than just going on the road with no boundries. I know NTB does alot of regional and even some dedicated runs out of Mich, but you would have to call to get all the info. I hope this helps. Just don't get discourged there should be something out there. Good Luck.

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Dale Earnhardt(Forever a Champion)

My training school said 97% of graduates get placed in jobs by graduation. The ones that don't are ones who lied on criminal and/or MVR, or didn't bother with job placement program.
But people with criminal or ba

1.Schools will get you a job period(.)
Cause they need you to pay the 6G's you owe which turns into 9G's after the lender get done. Lenders are the ones on the schools backs to get you a job.

2.Training/Starter Companies need you.
They low ball competition to get the jobs and pay low cpm
Plus when you get done with Company's training program government gives them 10G's for taking in a non-experienced person into a field that requires experienced. (at least my company does)

3.Training School/Companies
Same as 1. and 2. but you sign a contract for one year (which will paid your loan off after a year)*** I would choose this one if you're planing to stay at company of a year. Might as well for the loan.

Most companies have regional but you can only sign up after X amount of months

Regardless pay your dues getting exprience. Then find excactly what you like. Some companies are local and they train. Here in my area is CTL tankers hualing HAZMAT from the Port system to location.

P.S.
Comment on Recruiters
Don't mean to fight the tide, but my company's recruiter did not lie about anything. Yet other trainees in my class said different. They had a pamphlet that explained pay rate, etc... But when I question what did they lie about no one could give me a straight answer!

I think most people are unhappy with what they choose. but it's a starter company. Don't expect too much from them. Do your job get you experience, get out. That is what Starter companies want. Come on .40cpm after 15years with them.

Bro, if you paid for it yourself, try Roehl, they have a great regional run through the midwest. Pay is so-so but they will get you home 34-48 hrs a week with about 2100-2400 miles all within MN,WI,IA,IL,MI,IN,OH,NY(only very westen tip),and some ND/SD/NE runs. They'll reinburse your tuition too. I am not a recruiter for them, but they are real easy to work with, especially for a newbie like you (and myself!). Best of luck bro.

I was thinking Roehl, too, as they'll even let newbies do the regional fleet. I'm not sure if Flint would be too far, though. I'd guess they'd stick you on 7/3-4 and run you out of the Mogadore (Akron, OH) yard.

I just graduated from Nu-way in Livonia Mich. last Fri. I dont seem to remember being promised a job? I do know that the Livonia location does a full background check and Mvr before you can enrolled to determine if your "Hire-able" in the industry. The job placement dept at the school was top notch IMO they have help me out in every aspect of finding employment....But I was never "promised" employment.....I can say in my case I paid for my own schooling so in the end, I could take any job that I found, Be it on my own or through the school. How did you pay for your school? I cant see them making you pay back the loan or whatever because you want to take a local or regional job?? What is this training fee you are talking about. I was under the impression that the carriers paid you for their training period. I know in my case I haven't had to sign a contract to work for anyone for a set period of time.......

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It's a dog eat dog world and I must be wearing milkbone underwear

Do you know anything good or bad about CTL?