My current situation. Work a what seems to be dead end out in Memphis heat all 8 hours on concrete job making around $1,400 month bring home, not to many bills around $600 month. Heavily considering the trucking industry as a future career and possible increase in pay after I put in my time.

Have 2 truck drving schools in mind.

#1
3-4 weeks long
$6,000 about - $5,000 for Contract with Trucking company for 1 year
Does not work well with current job hours.
Can start class immediately

#2
7-8 weeks long
$795 total + Cost of DOT physical
PTDI Certified training program
works with current job hours almost perfectly
Class won't start til Sep 1st

*I am considering both schools heavily one because I can start right away and just get out there and learn. The other because I would not have to to a contract I can pay for the school outright but have to wait another month. Which one would you recomend? Might be a stupid question and I already think I have a answer just wanting to see some of yours to help tilt me in a certain direction.

*Can I in all fairness replace my current income with trucking? I know I have to put in the time and miles and that is not a problem with me. Not looking to get rich just hoping not to go down in pay overall.

*If all of you could go back in time would you still decide to become a trucker?

*Would you sill consider to be one today knowing what you know?

I am not looking for a quick job to make alot of money right away and quit I kow it doesn't work that way but more of a long term career that I will be able to make a good living. I know things are never as easy as they appear on the surface I'm smarter than to think that. I just want to get some answers and feedback so I can go about with a more educated decision. I am never one to just jump into anything especially something this serious and life altering. I greatly appreciate all of your answers and thank you for your time.

Take the cheaper option, keep working and save your money. You don't want to start off your new career deeply in debt. What is another two months to wait for what could be a life-long career?

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I agree! I would assume option #2 is a community college. Make sure their school is accredited and accepted by trucking companies. You should have the option of choosing a company from several companies that well hire you on after you recieve your CDL. I know this is the case at our local community college. You should be able to begin your new career out of debt, maybe even a little money in your pocket. Good luck!!

North West is an accredited school within reach for you. I believe that's in the Olive Branch, MS location.

Most companies accept students through the training classes offered there. I know that CFI/Conway and Averitt do. I had one student from there when I trained for CFI. He had his self together, pretty much.

The worst that could happen. You could get a job driving a mixer. Pays about $15 an hour, with all the OT you can stand. Within legal limits of course.

Or a roll back trash truck, for $14 an hour.

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

I, too, would lean toward the second choice. I would, however, make sure it's a full-fledged CDL course, not a PTDI certified refresher.

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Keep the big doors at the back!

Good Luck Be Safe and Welcome to the forum

I wouldn't even consider this school. You don't need to spend this kind of money and be tied down to a contract.
This makes much more sense, as long as it is in fact a certified training program.
Yes, this should not be a problem.
Yes I believe I would. Only I would probably have gotten into it about twenty five to thirty years sooner than I did.

Yes. It is true that things are changing in this line of work. But things are always changing, where ever you are. There is a lot of stress in trucking, but once you become an experienced driver, it gets easier.
This, of course, is a decision only you can make. If you are single and not tied down then there should be no problem. However, if you are married you should discuss this thoroughly with your wife.

If you decide to go OTR it is a complete life change from what you are used to.

Good luck!

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If I was going to do it over again I would find a starter company that will train and pay for everything. There are alot of them but my top picks would be USxpress or Schnider. Good starter companys and usally make you sign a one year agreement. I went to school and paid the 5500 bucks. My first year (2000) I Made about 28k. So out of that 28k most of it went to the school.

Thanks all of you.

The only reason I am still considering the first school is becuase from what most tell me and have read you need at least a good 1-2years OTR experience and I will if all goes well I will stay with one company the whole time anyway. I know it is a contract deal which is kind of under my skin but if they honor it will pay $5,00 of the $6,000 for school which should put me out of pocket $1,000.

After I talked more with the second school found out need to pay total of $1,300 after books and registration cost and all which is more than I can pay at the moment. Plus by gaduation in November+ 4weeks with a trainer at company would not become solo till almost Mid-December which would be a nice welcome to a rookie with no experince at all in snow & ice would hate to start out driving in that right away.The good thing about first school could be solo by Mid-September wich I know is not much more time but for someone new to trucks a month could probably make a big difference.

Questions on some companies considering and to any input on them. I know some will be good and bad but hey I know not one company is perfect. I'm doing research on them just some driver input would be nice people you know or talk to that might work/worked there. Thanks Again a million.

*Knight
*US Express
*Marten
*TransAm
*KLLM

There is a lot written around here about those companies. Read and decide for yourself, some posters really go into detail with their experiences with those companies. I have only good things to say about KLLM as a starter company, and they pay a tuition reimbursement too.

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